308 HISTORY OF FRUITS. 



in large pots or tubs, as this method admits of their re- 

 moval at pleasure into different degrees of temperature 

 as occasion may require ; but for a general crop to ripen 

 by the end of May, or beginning of June, it is preferable 

 to have the trees planted in the forcing-house, and if 

 they are intended to be forced in the first year, proper 

 trees for the purpose, furnished with well branching 

 wood, should be selected and planted early in the autumn, 

 that they may establish themselves before the winter sets 

 in. The soil to be preferred is a moderately rich loam, 

 without mixture of manure. 



" For a crop to ripen in the second week in May the 

 house must be covered in early in January, commencing 

 with a temperature of 42 of Fahrenheit, for the first 

 fortnight, after which the heat may be gradually raised 

 to 52, jat which it may continue until the flowers make 

 their appearance ; during this time frequent changes of 

 air must be admitted, to strengthen the bloom, and the 

 crop will be rendered more certain by keeping the trees 

 in blossom as long as possible, by light shading when 

 necessary; and when the petals begin to fall, gentle 

 jdews may be raised from the surface of the mould. 



"As the fruit forms, the thermometer should be raised 

 io 58 ; this must be done gradually, as the consequence 

 of a .rapid rise may be a .casting of the fruit. During the 

 progress of stoning great care must be taken against 

 sudden variations of the temperature, water being very 

 sparingly used, and every check by fumigation, &c. given 

 to the various insects which will be particularly active at 

 this period. When the fruit is safely stoned, a moderate 

 dressing of rotten manure may be spread on the surface 

 of the mould ; the heat increased to 68, and a more 

 liberal supply of water given. After the fruit has at- 

 tained a full size, and approaches maturity, air may 

 he fr,eely adrnitted, and water should be given in less 



