MANAGEMENT OF FRUIT TREES, &e. \n 



you can only bring the fide branches forward in the above 

 manner. 



Some cover with reeds and ftraw ; the latter I by no means- 

 approve of, as it is very apt to harbour rats and mice on ac- 

 count of fome of the grain being left in it. 



Be careful to obierve, when you put on the grafs, that no 

 mice, &c. have got among 11: it; and examine during the 

 Winter that no rats or mice get among the branches of the 

 trees that are covered againfl the walls ; if they do, they will 

 infallibly bark the branches, and in that cafe you will be 

 under the neceffity of heading the trees down. 



I would recommend fetting traps, fuch as (hall be defcribed 

 hereafter, near the roots of the trees, as foon as they are covered. 



Take care not to uncover the Figs too foon in the Spring ; 

 and it mould be done partially, as frequently there are frofts 

 and cutting winds in the months of April and May, which 

 will infallibly kill the young fruit as they make their ap- 

 pearance in the Spring. 



Thofe branches which have been laid into the ground fhould 

 be taken up in the month of April, taking off the hay and 

 ftraw bands, and then nailed to the wall. Stick in among th$ 

 branches fome fern-leaves, or any other light covering, to 

 protecT: them from the drying winds and frofts, till the fruit 

 comes to the fize of a large walnut, or rather till the leaves 

 are fufficiently large to protecl: the fruit. 



The Italians, when they with to forward the ripening of 

 Figs, drop in a little fweet oil, from a quill, into the eye of 

 the fruit ; but care muft be taken not to hurt the fkin, which 

 would make the Fig burft. This will make a difference at 

 leafl of a fortnight in the ripening. 



T < As 



