GLEANINGS ON IIORTrCULTUIlE. 



51 



the fruit will swell much better when partially shaded with them ; 

 and two fruits should not remain on a shoot that is not considered 

 sufficiently strong to bring them to perfection. Syringe before 

 the sun acts too powerfully with considerable force, and the last 

 thing at night, so that the water may remain the longer on the 

 trees. Prune and train in the young shoots, and remove laterals. 

 Fire heat may be dispensed with when the thermometer ranges 

 sixty degrees, but it should not be withdrawn suddenly. In dull 

 and cloudy weather it will be necessary, and also in the evenings, 

 if enough heat has not been imparted by the sun ; for if the fruit 

 experience a check at this stage of their growth, it will affect 

 their swelling to a full size. 



Should the frosts be over, remove the mulching from the bor- 

 ders and the tarpaulin, and discontinue the application of liquid 

 manure as soon as the stoning season is over. The fumigation 

 of tobacco should be continued, and the aphides eradicated before 

 the fruit begins to swell for ripening, when it must altogether 

 cease. When the fruit is approaching to maturity, give all the air 

 possible, but cover the house in rain, as that would be highly 

 injurious ; and syringing must be left off. The leaves which now 

 shade the fruit should be displaced, to present the full exposure 

 to the sun, leaving about an inch of the leaf, together with the 

 foot-stalk, which may mature the bud at the base. The sashes 

 may be removed from the roof, if they can be immediately re- 

 placed in case of rain. 



Nets should be suspended under the trees, to catch the fruit 

 which fall when ripe ; but if allowed to do so, it is much injured 

 in its flavour, and should therefore be gathered by the hand. 

 When gathered, it should be carried to the fruit-room, and 

 packed upon clean paper. Peaches may be beautifully coloured 

 or spotted, by sprinkling them with drops of water when the sun 

 is shining upon them ; and the sashes being removed during dry 

 days, greatly improves their flavour, until they are finally taken 

 away when the fruit is all gathered. The apricot and peach-trees 

 should then have a liberal supply of water on their branches and 

 over their roots — the former hy means of the syringe, applying 

 the water with force, for the suppression of the red-spider and 

 for refreshing the trees. As the leaves ripen, they should be 

 gently brushed off, to admit the air and the sun to the branches, 

 in order that they may be sufficiently matured for next year's 

 forcing. Water must not be given too plentifully, or the shoots 

 will spring into a second growth. 



