FOR PROFIT. 207 



growth caused by cold nights and frosts induces the 

 growth of insect pests, and extra attention is required 

 at this period. 



Weeds must be kept down, and even where there 

 are but few, the hoe will be of great service in 

 keeping the surface tilth. 



Towards the end of May, where trees are promising 

 a heavy crop, a mulching of long fresh straw manure 

 will help the roots to carry a crop to a good size. 

 It is of little use clor>e to the stems, and should be in 

 a circle 6-ft. wide, at 3-ft. from the main stems to 

 stimulate the feeding roots. Where established trees 

 are on grass, liquid manure or well rotted dung are 

 best. 



Should Dry Weather set in, the soil round newly 

 planted trees should be stirred and well pulverised, in 

 case the soil may cake and crack, and some short 

 manure on the surface afterwards will be helpful (if not 

 already placed there). And if a spell of drought sets 

 in, young trees that show signs of distress may be 

 watered, giving each a full dose, as dribbles are 

 worse than nothing. 



Buds upon young stocks that make a growth of 9 

 inches from the stocks should now be tied to the stock 

 for safety. 



Grafts put on old trees last March will now require 

 the bands to be loosened, and the pug or wax to be 

 removed. A stick should be placed to tie the new 

 growths to, to prevent winds blowing them out before 

 they are well set on their stocks. This is specially 

 needed when the grafts are on old trees that make 

 vigorous growth ; these young shoots may be shortened 

 in August by removing 12 or 18 inches from the 

 points to prevent their breaking- out at the graft. 



