82 RATIONAL FRUIT CULTURE. 



the crop is gathered, the old bearing-wood should be cut away, 

 and the shoots which have grown from the base buds should 

 be nailed to the wall in their stead. This is the method which 

 should be adopted in the case of trees strong enough to cover 

 all the wall-space that can be allotted to them. Of course, 

 when they are younger and smaller they must be permitted 

 to build up the necessary framework before they are pruned 

 so much. 



The insects and fungoid diseases which attack the Peach, 

 the Apricots, and the Nectarine, have been described in the 

 chapter dealing with the subject. 



CHERRIES AND PLUMS. 



It has previously been stated that the less Cherries and 

 Plums are cut the better, because it renders them more sus- 

 ceptible to various diseases, and this applies not only to those 

 in the open, but also to those against walls. In the latter 

 case, however, if they were allowed to grow without restraint, 

 it would be impossible to train them, so some pruning is 

 necessary, especially at first. It is best confined to removing 

 " fore-rights," stopping side-shoots which are to be short- 

 ened still more in autumn, and thinning any that are too 

 crowded. When this is done carefully, there is rarely any- 

 thing further to be done in winter. But if any branches have 

 to be cut away, the wounded surfaces should be coated with 

 tar. 



FIGS IN THE OPEN AIR. 



As the Fig is not hardy, it requires ;i warm situation, 

 such as a corner, with walls on the north and east sides. In 

 its native habitat — the Mediterranean lof^ion and Southern 

 Asia — it produces and matures throe crops in the year; here 

 it produces two, but in the open air .succeeds in maturinR 

 only one. If ;i tree is examined in August or September, it 

 will be found to earrv a number of round fruits about the 



