38 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



and the , same cautious application of water to the 

 roots must be observed till the fruit makes its ap- 

 pearance. Most of the plants will show fruit before 

 the last week of February. The centres of the plants 

 will be observed to open by degrees, and on examining 

 them the young fruit will be found emerging from 

 the centre. Whenever this is observed, the plants, 

 if inclining to the dry side, should have a watering 

 sufficient to thoroughly moisten the whole ball, and 

 the bottom -heat already named should be steadily 

 kept up. 



Supposing all the plants to have shown fruit, the 

 night temperature for March should not range under 

 70° nor over 75° with the mildest weather. There 

 being generally great fluctuations of weather during 

 this month, the temperatures I have named should be 

 aimed at accordingly. The moisture in the air must 

 be sparingly applied till the fruit is out of flower, 

 and air admitted on all fine days, putting it on early 

 in the morning, and shutting it ofi" early in the after- 

 noon. Water at the root will be more frequently 

 required, especially when they are plunged over a 

 hot-air chamber. But avoid, as one of the greatest 

 possible evils, a wet sloppy state of the soil. As 

 soon as they are out of flower, sprinkle them over- 

 head every fine afternoon with clear water at a tem- 

 perature of 80°. As the season advances, with longer 

 days and shorter nights, early shutting up with sun- 

 heat must be practised ; but, except with sun - heat, 

 I do not recommend in April any increase of night 

 temperature over that recommended for March, even 

 though it be required to ripen the fruit with as much 

 speed as possible. The forcing should be accelerated 

 by day with sun-heat. Shut up soon after three 



