RETARDING THE BLOOMING OF FRUIT-TREES. 



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command, he finds it impossible to get his blossoms to " set 

 well :" hence a failure takes place. This, in general, is what is 

 termed a bad fruit season ; and what else could be expected under 

 the circumstances ? Now, what is a good fruit season ? A severe 

 winter, with a cold backward spring, having little or no sun- 

 shine — the less the better ; or, in other words, a season approach- 

 ing what is peculiar to America, where the Peach is cultivated 

 with such success. We say that such seasons " keep back vege- 

 tation till its proper time," i. e. until fine weather has arrived, 

 and then every description of fruit-tree blooms and sets freely. 

 Now why not imitate these " cold backward springs " and trans- 

 atlantic seasons by retarding the blooming till kindly weather 

 has set in ? In the middle of February I would commence to 

 protect the trees and walls from every ray of sunshine up to the 

 time when the trees are fully in bloom, exposing them all night, 

 and during the mornings and evenings, to the cold, be it ever so 

 severe, whether wind, sleet, or frost ; for finding as we do that 

 they do not suffer from the like visitations in America before 

 they are in bloom, we need not fear them here. At this early 

 period of the season the sun will not generally shine more than 

 a few hours every day ; but during whatever length of time he 

 does shine, the trees and wall should be covered. I mention the 

 latter, as it is important to protect it from the sun's rays in order 

 to prevent radiation at night, which would take place if it was 

 left exposed. No fears need be entertained of " drawing the 

 bloom " during the time this protection is given to the trees and 

 wall. The long cold nights, with the equally cold mornings and 

 evenings, during which time the trees are exposed, with the sun's 

 rays shut off by day, will retard the blooming, without weakening 

 the blossoms, to a much later period than many might be led to 

 suppose. Indeed, as late as is necessary this course should be 

 followed until the trees are fairly in bloom, then the blossoms 

 must be protected at night, and from bad weather during the 

 day. The transition from retarding to affording protection must 

 be gradual, but steady. The kind of weather to guard against is 

 severe frosts, sleet, cold rain, hail, &c. Cold, dry, clear weather 

 does little injury to the bloom. In confirmation of this, I have a 

 garden under my eye in which the trees (Apricots and Peaches) 

 received no protection during the past spring, and yet they have 

 set most abundant crops. The situation is high, dry, and very 

 cold ; and the trees, when in bloom in March, experienced fre- 

 quently 8 or 10 degrees of frost, accompanied by a very clear dry 

 atmosphere. I do not however advocate the exposure of trees 

 to such degrees of cold : on the contrary, it is better to guard 

 against it. 



The kind of protection I would use is canvas, or any material 



