322 Culture of the Peach 



plants to four or five eyes, and they will make as many shoots 

 the first year. Place the plants in the pit or frame about the 

 first of January, increasing the heat gradually, as the plants grow, 

 to make the change to the pine-house as imperceptible as possible. 

 All that will be required during the first year is, to keep the 

 plants clean by daily syringing, and to water at the root as neces- 

 sity requires, occasionally with liquid manure. When the trees 

 have ripened their wood, let them be taken out and placed behind 

 a north wall. In September they may be shifted into the second- 

 sized pots, picking off a little mould from the top and sides of 

 the ball of earth. This will complete the first year. 



In January of the second year, place the plants in the pine- 

 house at once. In pruning, cut in the shoots a little, according 

 to their strength. If the plants have made good wood during 

 the first year, they may be allowed to bear a few fruit during the 

 second year; but I would not advise to be over-anxious about 

 that, although in the second year I have gathered as fine New- 

 ington nectarines as I ever saw in a peach-house. Water and 

 syringe, as formerly, till the wood is ripe; then take out the 

 plants to their former situation behind the wall. By this time, 

 if the trees have been managed properly, they will be fine stocky 

 plants. Shift again in September; those that have grown strong 

 into the largest-sized pots ; others, that may not have grown very 

 vigorous, may be placed in the same pots again, after reducing 

 the ball sufficiently to admit of a supply of fresh mould. This 

 will complete the second year. 



Now, as the plants ought to be fit for work, means must be 

 taken to make them pay for the trouble they have occasioned. 

 To accomplish this, put in the plants on December 1. of the second 

 year. Syringe every morning with tepid water; keep the floor of 

 the house damp by watering, and raise steam frequently by 

 watering the flues or hot-water pipes. This must be particularly 

 attended to. You highly benefit the pines at the same time. 

 During the last two seasons I have not been troubled with the 

 aphis, or green fly, on any of my peach trees in the pine-house. 

 I attribute this to nothing else but syringing the plants daily, 

 and keeping the air of the house as moist as possible. With one 

 of Scott's syringes, a dozen trees can be gone over in three 

 minutes. 



I keep the temperature as low during the night, in December, 

 as I can, consistently with keeping the pines in health, about SB*^ 

 Fahr. ; from 5° to 10° higher during the day; with sun, 10° to 

 15° higher. Little or no air will be required during this month, 

 unless the weather be very mild indeed. While the plants are in 

 flower syringing must be dispensed with, and great caution 

 used that too much fire heat be not applied. One night's neg- 

 lect at this stage will blast your hopes for one year. 60° 



