PEACH AND NECTARINE TREES. 251 



be resumed and be continued during the 

 season as the state of the border may require 

 until the fruit begins to change, when it must 

 be given up. (See the Chapter on watering 

 the roots of wall trees.) 



THIRD Of watering the tops. Soon after 

 the sashes are placed over the trees, let them 

 have a good washing with soap suds; this 

 may be repeated either with soap suds or 

 soft water, once before the blossom opens. 

 When the trees are in bloom, let no water 

 whatever be sprinkled over them, but steam 

 the house by pouring water upon the flue; 

 (if there be not a flue this may be dis- 

 pensed with,) for steam feeds the bloom. 

 Early in the season the steaming should be 

 done in the morning; but as late as April 

 may be performed at evening half an hour 

 before the sun leaves the house. After the 

 fruit is fully set, let the trees have a wash- 

 ing with soft water, of the same temperature 

 of the house at night; this watering may be 

 repeated every other day, until the fruit is 

 near stoning, when none whatever must be 

 given until that operation be complete; when 

 this is the case, and the fruit begins to swell, 

 watering may be resumed and be continued 

 until the fruit is near its mature size, when 

 it must be given up. Early in the season, 

 let the water be applied just before the sun 

 acts freely upon the house, but later in the 



