432 THE FORCING GARDEN. [NOV. 



be necessary to shorten these, let them be cut pretty 

 well in, as otherwise they will push very weakly. 

 Shoots on the extreme parts of the tree, that should 

 be shortened for the above purpose, need not, how- 

 ever, be cut so closely in. If they be headed back 

 one-third, or to half their lengths, it will generally 

 be found sufficient. 



When the plants are pruned, let them be careful- 

 ly anointed with the liquor, and in the same manner 

 as directed for wall-trees, in the Fruit Garden for 

 January ; at the same time anointing every part of 

 the trellis, &c. that, if possible, no vestige of in- 

 sects be left. Then dress in the branches and shoots, 

 with strands of clean, fresh matting ; and point or 

 fork over the border, adding some small dung or 

 compost, if thought necessary ; thus preparing the 

 plants for forcing the first of the year. 



Indeed, if there were a successional cherry-house, 

 and if a strong desire to have cherries very early 

 next season prevailed, the house might be forced 

 from the middle of this month, or first of Decem- 

 ber. But, the trouble and expence, to a certainty, 

 would be great, and most probably the crop might 

 be small. Wherefore, I think it a better method, 

 provided there be a green-house, conservatory, or 

 stove of any kind, to bring on the earliest fruit in 

 pots or tubs, as hinted at, under that head, in Janu- 

 ary. In that way, the trouble is not much, and the 

 expence next to nothing ; as, in any of these com- 

 partments, fire-heat should not be increased on ac- 

 count of the cherries. 



