60 On the House Management of Peaches and Nectarines. 



possible, should be white washed, and then the trees should 

 be pruned.* 



Previous, however, to tying the trees to the trellis, I have 

 the whole of their stems, but not the bearing wood, washed 

 with a composition formed of one pound of soft soap, one ounce 

 of tobacco, and a little flower of sulphur, to which is added 

 as much boiling water as will make the whole of the con- 

 sistence of paint. This composition is carefully applied 

 with a painter's soft brush, whilst it is milk warm. The 

 process of cleaning should never be omitted at the pruning 

 season, as it prevents the trees ever contracting the brown 

 scale. When the trees are tied to the trellis, the borders 

 must be dug ; this gives the house a clean and neat appear- 

 ance. 



In the first week in February the house is shut up every 

 night, and plenty of air given in the day ; in the beginning 

 of the second week, moderate fires are made, just to keep the 

 heat by fire from 45° to 50°, not exceeding 70° of sun-heat; 

 in the third week the fire-heat is gradually encreased from 

 50° to 55°, and not exceeding 75° sun heat. By this time the 

 trees will be getting into blossom. Whilst they are in bloom 

 I neither sprinkle nor steam the house, for I consider that suf- 

 ficient moisture arises from the earth in the house at this stage 

 of forcing. I admit plenty of air every day, when the wind 

 is mild, and in a favourable quarter. 



When the petals have all dropped, and the fruit is fairly 

 set, I give the tr s a gentle syringing on a fine morning, with 

 clean water, an< Q any green flies appear, they have two 



* I have not laid down my rules for the winter pruning, as almost every gar- 

 dener seems to have a method peculiar to himself of performing this work. 



