FORCING DEPARTMENT. 343 



than too fast. Most new beginners, in this business, 

 make haste to outdo, or eclipse their neighbours ; 

 and drive on at a pace they cannot long keep up, 

 but founder their steed, and stop short by the way." 



During the first fortnight after the fires were 

 lighted, the thermometer was kept, as near as 

 possible, to 40 degrees, allowing an advance, 

 during the day, by artificial heat, of from 8 to 

 10 degrees. The fires at night should be regularly 

 attended to, about 10 o'clock, in severe weather ; 

 and if the state of the house appears to be rather 

 low, a little fuel must be added, so that the ther- 

 mometer may not indicate above 8 or 10 degrees of 

 a fall the next morning. 



From the time the buds begin to swell, until they 

 are fully expanded, one degree of advance may be 

 allowed daily, till the thermometer is raised to 60 

 degrees, which temperature the house should be 

 regulated at while the fruit is setting ; it may after- 

 wards be increased to 65 degrees, and allowing 

 from 10 to 15 degrees of an advance with sun 

 heat, observe to give free admission of air, to pre- 

 vent the shoots being drawn in a weak or languid 

 state. The trees must be kept syringed every 

 evening after the fruit is set, which will, in a great 

 measure, keep the red spider within bounds ; but 

 when the green fly makes its appearance, recourse 

 must be had to fumigation. The mildew, which is 

 generally very injurious to the tender foliage, must 

 not be permitted to get a-head, but be suppressed, 

 as soon as the least appears, by dusting, or rubbing 

 the parts infected over with sulphur. As more fruit 



