158 FEUIT. 



ing. disbudding, and regulating the shoots during summer, the 

 trees should, in two or three years, be in a fit condition for 

 the production of first-rate fruit, suitable for exhibition. In 

 the summer treatment, the shoots should be kept equal in 

 strength, because strong gross wood is very liable to disease, 

 and to cause disfigurement of the tree. To prevent this, 

 pinch and depress the strong shoots ; and if gross growth 

 still continues, or if canker appears, lift the trees, prune 

 the roots, and replant in fresh soil. The principal points 

 in the successful cultivation of the Apricot are : the pro- 

 tection of the blossom ; thinning of the fruit, and giving 

 it clear room to swell to its greatest size ; thinning and 

 training of the young shoots to facilitate their ripening, 

 as they produce the finest fruit ; careful watering in dry 

 weather ; giving liquid manure when the crop is swelling ; and 

 mulching heavily to keep the border cool and moist in hot 

 weather. Although the Apricot is comparatively free from 

 the attack of insects, red-spider and greenfly sometimes make 

 their appearance, but they are easily got rid of by the usual 

 means ; and if woodlice attack the fruit when it is ripening, 

 they should be at once trapped. The fruit should be gathered 

 before it is over-ripe, and placed on soft paper in the fruit- 

 room till it is wanted, when it should be wrapped in tissue- 

 paper and cotton-wool, and carefully packed for transit to the 

 exhibition. Nine fruits make a nice dish, and in setting them 

 up, a jjiece of cotton-wool should be placed in the centre of 

 the dish and covered with leaves, on which the fruits should 

 be equally disposed without actually touching each other. The 

 points of merit are : (1.) Size; (2.) flavour; and (3.) colour. 



THE BANANA. 



This is one of those rare tropical fruits which in cultivation 

 combine the useful with the beautiful in a marked degree. 

 Its culture as a handsome foliage plant has been already 

 described in the First Division. Musa CavendisMi also fur- 

 nishes the exhibitor with a first-class dish of fruit for compe- 

 tition, to secure which it is necessary that it be planted in a 



