JUNE. 



75 



I have some Apricot trees here nearly fifty years old. One of these is on 

 a south wall, but not fixed or heated. When I entered this place nearly 

 eighteen years ago this same tree was almost gone or worn out. I immediately 

 took away all the earth from its roots, likewise undermined it all, cut a portion 

 of its under-roots, and gave it a dry bottom ; added fresh suitable soil on the 

 top of that, put a layer of good manure, then a layer of clayish soil. I have 

 since then more than once cut-in some of its roots and added a portion of new 

 soil, and I did this when I saw the wood was getting weak. In 1861 I had a 

 splendid crop on this tree. Indeed, it seldom ever fails ; but I could not ripen 

 them, not having command of artificial means. Again, the following season, 

 1862, I had but a small crop. No doubt the wood was not well matured, the 

 season being indifferent; and this spring, 1863, there is only a sprinkling, 

 in comparison to some seasons of bloom. I have never seen so little blossom 

 on the Apricot trees as there is this season, no doubt arising from so very bad 

 an autumn as we experienced last year. 



There is an Apricot wall here heated by two fires. Two Ajoricot trees 

 occupy one-half of the space ; the other fire heats the space covered by a Fig 

 tree and an Apricot. The above Apricot trees were ^bout eight years old 

 when I came here. I lifted them, took out the soil, and put in 18 inches 

 of rubble stone, concreted that over, and made up a border about 2 feet and 

 li deep. I replanted the trees, after partially cutting their roots. In good 

 seasons I do not apply much fire heat to the space where the two trees grow, 

 only a little to mature the fruit in dark autumns ; but on the space where the 

 one Apricot and a Fig are, I fire a good deal every season to ripen the Figs. I 

 have cut the roots severely in several times of the Fig tree, as I have remarked, 

 to keep the wood in check. The Apricot tree in this space unfortunately is' 

 planted where the fire enters. This is where I had a limb die off one season ; 

 but I assume the cause was from too great a heat. The person in charge of 

 the trees had one warm day rather over-heated the flue. 



I have noticed with particular interest this same tree that is regularly fired 

 every season, along with the Fig tree, is unfailing in producing a crop. One 

 season I particularly remarked that the two Apricot trees on the opposite end, 

 not being fired the previous autumn, had very little blossom on them. They 

 were covered with frigi domo in spring and were regularly uncovered when 

 weather permitted. The same set very indifferently, and scarcely a fruit was 

 on them. 



Now, the tree which neighboured the Fig, and was regularly fired, that 

 got no covering whatever, all the blossom set admirably on it. I have tried 

 all experiments with covering. On one occasion I had a light covering of 

 spruce branches put on. I found the buds and bloom became weak, and a 

 sort of blanched fly soon attacked them when covered. On examination I 

 found where there was no covering the wood, buds, and leaves were more 

 robust, and the fruit set better. Therefore, I consider if the wood was well 

 matured the previous autumn no covering is requisite, unless in severe frost. 

 I think the most convenient covering to be a coarse woollen netting — say about 

 six-eighths of an inch in the meshes that might remain on permanently in 

 severe weather. 



Another instance I have formed from proof in this same tree, which, in a 

 great ^measure, confirms my belief that all fruit trees ripen their wood best 

 when in close contact with the wall — I mean not trained on trelliswork, as it 

 encourages a cold current. This tree being planted where the fire enters, 

 it is too hot for the branches without being kept some distance off; therefore^ 

 for 4 feet deep there is a wire trellis 3 or 4 inches from the wall. On this 

 portion I seldom ever have a single blossom where the branches are away from 



