68 



WATERING ROOTS. 



fectly formed, and it is then hardening at the 

 outer coat, and the deposition of much more 

 sap in the stone should be prevented, for 

 when water is given in any large quantity 

 it produces so great a portion of sap, that the 

 young wood cannot expend it, and thus too 

 much of it forces itself into the stone, and by 

 breaking the tender skin which forms the 

 outer coat, it immediately turns black and 

 rots, the fruit begins to shrivel, and after- 

 wards drops off* the trees. But by withhold- 

 ing water at the time directed, the fruit will 

 always be found to stone much better. ( See 

 this more particularly treated upon in the Chapter 

 o?i Peach and Nectarine trees.) This watering 

 I continue until the young shoots cease to 

 grow, when it is desisted from. The appli- 

 cation of manure water greatly promotes the 

 growth of the trees, I prefer it to manure in 

 its solid state, (particularly for Peaches and 

 Nectarines) because it has the essence or 

 juices of the vegetable substances dissolved 

 in it; and as water is the vehicle to convey 

 such juices to the roots, it is by watering as 

 directed transmitted to them, and by them 

 to the rest of the tree. It not only causes 

 the tree to grow more vigorous, but the fruit 

 will also be larger and of a richer flavour. 



When trees are very vigorous, I omit the 

 watering, with the exception of the time of 

 the bloom expanding, or when it is necessary 

 to keep the tree from drought ; and at those 



