THE PEACH AND NECTARINE. 133 



February and early March, frosts and cold winds are often 

 prevalent, and the delicate organs of fructification are then 

 specially liable to injury. It is well, therefore, to protect 

 the trees at night, as well as on cold days, by a temporary 

 covering of double or treble thickness of fish-netting, or 

 No. 5 hexagon shading material. This, fixed over poles 

 or wood spars, placed in a sloping position against the 

 wall, will ward off frosts and cold winds. On fine, mild 

 days remove the covering. Commence when the buds 

 begin to burst, and continue so long as cold weather re- 

 mains. 



General Details. During spring, summer and early 

 autumn, Peach and Nectarine trees must be freely watered 

 to ensure healthy growth and the proper development of 

 the fruit. Examine the soil when the pruning is finished, 

 and if it should be in the slightest degree dry fork over 

 the surface and give a copious watering. Repeat the 

 waterings every two or three weeks, more especially after 

 fruit has formed. In April apply a thick mulch of rotten 

 manure over the soil, and, after each watering, give a 

 dose of liquid manure. During spring and summer it is 

 a good plan to well syringe the trees late in the after- 

 noon of warm days. Daily syringings help to keep the 

 foliage in good health. These, however, must be dis- 

 continued when the fruit begins to ripen. For hints on 

 feeding, see chapter on " Manures," further on. As the 

 fruit develops see that it is not shaded by leaves ; other- 

 wise the colour will be more or less wanting in richness 

 and the flavour somewhat impaired. 



Gathering the Fruit. The fruit is ready to gather when, 

 on grasping it gently in the hollow of the hand, it parts 

 readily from the branch. If not wanted for immediate 

 consumption, store it in a cool, airy room. 



Pests Injurious to the Peach. The larva? of the Winter 

 and Peach Moths, the Peach Aphis, Leaf-blister Mite, 

 Red Spider, and the Red-legged Weevil attack the foliage ; 



