137 



not duly supplied with moisture and food during the 

 time the fruit is setting and swelUng, a failure of the 

 crop is inevitable. To secure such a supply, it is a 

 most effectual treatment to give the border a top- 

 dressing, at the close of February, of charred turf. 

 Water, of course, must be given also, as the dryness 

 of the soil and appearance of the trees indicate is ne- 

 cessary. 



From the period that the fruit begin to swell off 

 until they commence ripening, the trees must have 

 most copious syringings and steamings, excepting 

 that in the months of February or March, in cold 

 dull weather, you must be a little more niggardly of 

 water, taking care especially that, if you syringe in 

 the afternoon, it is done early, so as to have the leaves 

 dry by the evening ; for a temperature of 34 to 40 

 degs. by night and a wet leaf would by no means 

 agree. 



Impregnation. — ^When the blossoms are well opened, 

 impregnation should be assisted by applying the pol- 

 len to the stigma by means of a camel' s-hair brush. 



This is a crisis which requires some particular at- 

 tention. The best way is to increase the temperature 

 slightly, especially in the day time, and to give a freer 

 circulation of air. The fires should be encouraged 

 early in the morning, and as much air given betimes 

 as will expel the confined damp ; for, although a cer- 

 tain amount of moisture in the atmosphere is neces- 



