94 



PROTECTING BLOOM. 



purpose, that they may not be folded up in 

 a damp state, which would rot them. 



Another method I frequently adopt in the 

 preservation of the bloom and young fruit is 

 this ; after a frosty night I sprinkle cold water 

 upon the trees by means of a garden engine, 

 doing it early in the morning before the sun 

 acts freely upon the trees. If the day fol- 

 lowing such a frosty night, be cloudy and 

 very frosty, the watering must then be omit- 

 ted for that day, otherwise it would be the 

 cause of more injury being sustained. This 

 application of cold water, has a very bene- 

 ficial effect when done as directed, for it acts 

 as a medium between cold and heat, and b}^ 

 preventing too sudden a transition from those 

 extremes, it very materially preserves the 

 bloom or young fruit. When the trees are 

 in bloom, the water must be sprinkled upon 

 them as fine as dew, which may be effected 

 by placing the finger at the end of the pipe. 

 The necessity of this caution is, that water 

 falling forcibly upon the bloom, would wash 

 off the farina from the stamina, but Avith care 

 this may be avoided. If the fruit be set, the 

 water may be allowed to proceed with greater 

 force. 



