CTJLTTJEE UNDER GLASS. 259 



predisposes them to disease, and renders them a ready prey to red spider 

 and other insect pests. 



The atmosphere, however, may be kept drier during the ripening of 

 forced peaches, though it is not wise to carry this dryness to excess, 

 The cultivator must ever bear in mind that the autumnal season brings 

 the heawest dews, and peaches iu an arid cUme are neither so luscious 

 nor so sweet as those finished in a more genial climate. 



After forcing there is nothing so good for the trees as exposing them 

 freely to the natural atmosphere. The old-fashioned practice, therefore, 

 of unroofing early peach houses as sbon as the fruit were gathered is stUl, 

 where practicable, the very best. 



Peach trees in pots or tubs should be placed out of doors after forcing, 

 to be left out tiU October. This perfect exposure thoroughly matures 

 the wood, plumps up the fruit buds to the largest size, and leaves them 

 brown as a nut and solid as a rock. 



. In oases where such complete exposure is impossible forced peach 

 houses should be left open night and day, and the trees have a shower 

 bath once or twice daily until their leaves drop. The sooner they are 

 pruned and dressed after defoliation the better, especially if they are 

 to be forced early the following season. 



The whole of the woodwork of the forcing houses should also be 

 thoroughly cleaned and a coat of paint given if possible. This last 

 is one of the best antidotes to insect pests. The trees, even if clean, 

 may also be dressed over, for prevention is infinitely preferable to cure. 

 The most common dressing is composed of equal parts of sulphurj 

 lime, soot, and cowdung or clay, to add to its cohesive properties, made 

 into a thick paint, with a sort of lather of soft soap. This acts chiefly 

 as a smother. Many add to the killing properties of the mixture strong 

 tobacco liquor, nux vomica, hellebore, or other poisons. The best 

 dressing, and the one recommended by the writer, after u. long expe- 

 rience, as the most eflcient deterrent against the insects and diseases 

 of the peach, and a, partial cure also for blister, is composed thus : 

 ilb. sulphur, i^lb. tobacco, ^Ib. soft soap, ^Ib. hellebore, 2 pints soot (dry 

 and fresh), 2 pints lime (fresh quick). Boil tobacco half an hour in a 

 gallon of water ; after being strained add the other ingredients, but it 

 is well to dissolve them in tepid water before being mixed, the soot 

 and lime being stirred in at the last. Make the mixture to the consistency 

 of paint by adding water, then apply it with a brush aU over the 

 trees. 



The surface soil should also be removed from the borders, and if the 

 trees have shown any signs of exhaustion Sin. or more of rich compost 

 or a liberal dressing of manure be applied. A few thorough soakings of 



