202 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



it with loam and horee-droppings in equal proportions. 

 In plunging them, give them sufficient room to allow 

 the leaves and young growths to expand without crowd- 

 ing. Give a good watering of water at 80°. See that 

 the bottom-heat ranges about 75°, and that the night 

 temperature is kept steadily at 50°, with an increase of 

 8° or 10° by day, till they show signs of growth, and 

 the young fruit have begun to swell. Then raise the 

 temperature to 60° at night, with a corresponding in- 

 crease by day. Give air freely on all favourable oppor- 

 tunities, and syringe the trees morning and evening with 

 water a few degrees warmer than the atmosphere of 

 the house. After the young fruit get to the size of 

 nuts, over-syringing must be avoided, especially in dull 

 weather, as an excess of water at the root, in conjunc- 

 tion with a too free use of the syringe, has a tendency 

 to cause the fruit, especially in dull weather, to become 

 yellow, and drop ofl' before the setting process is past. 

 At the same time avoid an arid atmosphere, or a check 

 from want of water at the root. Either extreme must 

 be avoided until it be seen that the fruit are out of 

 danger. But with well-ripened wood and bottom-heat, 

 the fruit are rarely lost. As soon as the young growths 

 have made four or five joints, pinch out the terminal 

 bud, and increase the temperature to 65° in mild 

 weather. When the second crop has fairly shown itself, 

 feed the plants liberally with liquid manure, as there is 

 then a great demand on the energies of the plant. Man- 

 ure-water made from sheep's dung and soot, should be 

 given in a weak clear state every alternate watering ; 

 or guano, at the rate of a handful to a large garden 

 watering-pot of water, answers well. 



