736 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



[June. 



into , but it should always be borne in mind, t'hat such fruit 

 which is allowed to remain on the trees till it fall of its own 

 accord, is much injured in its flavor, therefore it should be 

 gathered by the hand when ripe, or rather before it becomes 

 too ripe. jVIany ridiculous inventions have been puffed up 

 under the name of peach-gatherers, but the safest and best is 

 the hand; the sense of feeling is sufficiently acute in most 

 people who have the gathering of such delicate fruits, as to 

 be able to tell, by a very slight touch, when the fruit is fit or 

 not fit for pulling. 



When gathered from the tree it should be carried to the 

 fruit-room, and carefully placed upon clean paper, if not im- 

 mediately wanted for use. Peaches may be beautifully colored 

 or spotted, by sprinkling drops of water upon them when the 

 sun is shining fully upon them. 



FORCING GRAPES. 



The crop will now be fast a})proaching to perfection ; but 

 as, after the fruit begins to color, water should be withheld, 

 it is necessary, as was hinted at for the peach-house, that a 

 careful examination should be made to detect the appearance 

 of the red spider, which, if any should appear, and not en- 

 tirely banislied at this time, will not be so readily expelled 

 afterwards, as the process of watering must be withheld, so 

 as not to diniinish the flavor of the fruit. If any of this arch 

 enemy be detected upon the leaves of the vines, they should 

 be well syringed from both ends of the house, that no leaf 

 may escape the action of the water ; and any leaves much in- 

 fested, should be removed, so as to prevent, as much as pos- 

 sible, the spreading of the enemy through the house. The 

 house should also have a slight fumigation of tobacco-smoke, 

 for the annoyance of the green fly and thrips, should any of 

 these appear ; but should they not make their appearance, it 

 is still necessary to fumigate, for prevention. On the appear- 

 ance of the spider after the watering has been discontinued, 

 flour of sulphur may be successfully sprinkled upon the flues 

 when considerably heated, or it may be sprinkled upon the 

 affected leaves. 



