260 THE PEACH AND NECTAUINE. 



manure water or sewage during the resting period of foreed peaoltea is 

 also a capital mode of restoring the strength of exhausted borders, as well 

 as of destroying any fungi that may have taken partial possession of the 

 same. AU these cultural or cleansing processes accomplished, the trees 

 will be ready for a fresh start at a,ny time when required, though it is- 

 hardly safe or likely to prove profitable to attempt to force peaches 

 until the end of October or the beginning of November. The middle of 

 that month or of December is likely, to prove more successful, and January 

 is better still. Beyond that period the forcing of peaches hardly differs 

 from the growing of them under glass. 



IX. — Retarding. 



This has already been referred to in regard to orchard houses. It may, 

 however, be carried much farther by the choice of cool sites for houses, 

 and the selection of late varieties. The majority of orchard houses run 

 east and west, thus exposing one side to the fuU force of the sun. If the 

 later varieties of peaches and nectarines are placed on the north borders 

 or sides of such houses they wiU of course ripen later than if they were 

 set on the southern side. The houses may also be built to run north and 

 south, and such houses presenting thus their sides to the east and west 

 wiU prove cooler than those running east and west. But north lean-to 

 houses may also be used for the winter and spring storing of peaches and 

 nectarines in pots. The trees could thus be kept very late in flowering, 

 which would retard all future processes. The experiment of planting 

 out peaches in a house with a northern aspect has not been tried. The 

 fruit would doubtless be rather acid. But an eastern aspect would power- 

 fully retard the ripening of the fruit, and also finish it if of good quality. 

 But with portable trees, to be moved out-doors at pleasure, and replaced 

 at will in those houses most favourable to the perfect ripening of the fruit 

 at the last, the retarding process may be best accomplished. 



A good deal may also be done to lengthen the peach season by the selec 

 tion of late varieties. These have been largely added to of late years by 

 the late Mr. Rivers, of Sawbridgeworth. Among late varieties thefolloW' 

 ing are among the best : 



Princess of Wales,, one of the noblest peaches in cultivation. 



Osprey, a week or so later than the above. 



Lord Palmerston. 



Lady Palmerston. 



<^ladstone, described by Mr. Bivers as late, large, and good. 



