44 FRUIT AND ITS CULTIVATION. 



too, often need a little thinning out, removing the central 

 portions. Those young growths that were pinched back 

 to three or four leaves shorten about an inch. 



Thinning the Fruit. As soon as the young fruit has 

 attained the size of walnuts, thin them out to 3in. apart ; 

 otherwise the crop will be puny in size and wanting in 

 flavour. If the fruit appears in thick clusters, it is well 

 to thin them out earlier, removing the smaller ones by 

 degrees. 



Protecting the Blossoms Early in March two or three 

 thicknesses of fish-netting should be fixed to the top of 

 the wall, and allowed to hang down over slightly slanting 

 poles, to break the force of cold winds and keep off severe 

 frost. This may be left on permanently till warmer 

 weather arrives. Or a sheet of tiffany may be fixed in 

 the same way, and allowed to remain at night and during 

 cold, windy, or frosty days. Glass copings are some- 

 times used, but they are expensive. 



General Details From May onwards, till the fruit has 

 ripened, copious supplies of water must be given in hot, 

 dry weather. Mere sprinklings are useless. A thick 

 mulch of rotten manure should also be spread on the sur- 

 face of the soil to keep it cool and moist. Spraying the 

 foliage with water, except when the fruit is ripening, on 

 the evenings of hot days is also beneficial. The roots may 

 also be fed with fertilisers, as advised in the chapter on 

 " Manures." Always gather the fruit early in the morn- 

 ing, whilst the dew is upon it, to have it in its best per- 

 fection. 



Pests. The chief pest is the larva of the Apricot Moth. 

 Wasps and flies are also fond of the fruit. 



Diseases. The Apricot Brown Rot attacks the fruit, 

 and Gummosis the branches. Canker, Mildew, and 

 another unnamed disease often cause the branches to die 

 suddenly. See chapter on " Diseases," further on. 



