RATIONAL FRUIT CULTURE. 119 



ApHcots, Nectarines, Peaches. — Shorten fore-rights of 

 the two first to form spurs, and remove them from Peaches. 



Currants and Gooseberries. — Cut away suckers. Ameri- 

 can Gooseberry mildew makes its appearance in April or May. 



Loganberries and Blackberries. — Propagate by layering 

 the young shoots. 



Raspberries. — Thin out the weakest of the young canes 

 when there are more than six to a stool. Hoe and mulch. 



Vines. — Thin out, shorten and tie down laterals. Spray 

 occasionally. For fungoid diseases, sprinkle flowers of sul- 

 phur on the damp foliage, or on the pipes if they are heated; 

 for insects vaporise. 



Insects and Diseases. — Spray for aphis, Pear-leaf blister 

 mite, and caterpillars of the lackey-moth, small ermine moth, 

 magpie moth, vapourer moth, and Gooseberry borer; also for 

 mildew. Look out for the caterpillars of the Currant and 

 Gooseberry sawfly, and tie bands of sacking round Apple trees 

 to trap caterpillars of the codling moth, and examine them 

 frequently. 



.WNE-. 



Apples, Pears, Plums. — Cut off suckers. Eemove the ties 

 from trees grafted in March. Shorten side-shoots to form 

 spurs. 



Apricots, Nectarines, Peaches. — Water and spray in dry 

 weather. Apply liquid manure. Thin fruit. 



Currants and Gooseberries. — Thin shoots; also some of the 

 fruit on Gooseberries if the crop is heavy. Pick off cater- 

 pillars. 



Loganberries and Blackberries. — Tie up the young shoots. 



Strawberries. — Hoe at the beginning of the month to 

 destroy all small weeds; then place straw round the plants and 

 hang up netting. Where beetles are troublesome, tins of syrup 

 should be sunk in the ground. Liquid manure will improve 

 the crop. 



