252 THE FRUIT GARDEN. [AUG. 



But I would have made a funnel, or trumpet- 

 mouthed instrument, about six inches diameter at 

 the mouth, and three or four deep ; the edge thin, 

 rounded off, and the whole lined with velvet. Its 

 handle also of tin, two feet or a yard in length, and 

 made to take in a light staff, about two yards long. 

 With this you may reap the fruit of any ordinary- 

 sized wallrtree ; and the method is, to slip the edge 

 of the funnel gently underneath the fruit you think 

 ripe, and give it a small shake. If it fall not in, 

 pass it till next day, or the next time you come a- 

 gathering, w T hich, in fine weather, should be twice 

 a-day. By this simple method, the fruit is preserv- 

 ed fair and unblemished, and may be gathered in 

 the highest possible perfection, with little trouble. 



Of destroying Insects on Fruit-Trees. 

 Continue to ensnare and destroy all insects that 

 infest these fruits, as directed last month ; and de- 

 sist from watering, as the fruit approach to maturi- 

 ty, as there also hinted at. 





 . Of netting and matting up Currants and Goose* 



berries. 



Currants and gooseberries, on north walls or pales, 

 that are intended to be kept to the latest, should be 

 netted over, to preserve them from birds. These 

 are sometimes kept back in the open ground, by 

 being matted up, which should be done as soon as 

 they are fully ripe. Currants keep good a long 

 while in this way ; but gooseberries or raspberries 



