02 FRUIT TREES IN POTS [ch. 



to colour. This time a little more of the surface- 

 dressing may be placed on the top of that which 

 was first applied. The surface-dressing which 

 was first applied should not be removed. This 

 layer will probably be full of small fibrous roots, 

 and if these are injured, the trees will suffer. It 

 should be clearly understood that these surface 

 roots above the rim of the pots should only 

 be removed in the autumn, at the time of re- 

 potting. 



Cherries and plums should not be surface- 

 dressed when the fruits are very small, but as these 

 fruits commence stoning early, it will be prudent 

 to defer the surface-dressing until their stones are 

 formed, or partly formed. It is better to be a 

 little late, rather than too early, in making the 

 application. 



Generally speaking, apples and pears may be 

 surface-dressed by the first week in June, if grown 

 in a cool house, or if placed out-of-doors at the 

 same time of the year. 



The ni^jmber of fruits a tree should be 



ALLOWED TO CARRY AND RIPEN. — A grave eiTOr 



is often committed in the culture of fruit trees in 

 pots, viz. that of over-cropping. It is no unusual 

 thing to hear the remark, "I cannot understand the 

 reason why I had such an abundant crop of fruit 

 last year, and none this." Now, the grower should 



