232 TREATISE ON THE CULTURE AND 



Another caufe of blights in the Spring will be found in 

 fharp hoary frofts, which are often fucceeded by hot funfhine 

 in the day time.; thefe are certain and fudden deftruction to 

 the fruit. Sharp pinching frofty mornings, which often 

 happen when the trees are in flower, or while the fruit is very 

 young, occafion the bl ononis or fruit to drop off, and fome- 

 times greatly injure the tender fhoots and leaves. 



The only method yet found out to prevent this mifchief is,, 

 the carefully covering the walls with netting, &c. as before 

 directed*. The covering is to remain on during the night, 

 and to be taken off in the day-time. This method has been 

 reckoned of little fervice by fome, which, indeed, may be the 

 cafe when the coverings are not properly ufed ; for, if the 

 trees are kept too long covered, the young branches and 

 leaves will be fo weak as not to be able to bear the open air 

 when they are expofed to it. 



The fame confequences will follow when the trees are in- 

 cautioufly expofed to the air after having been long covered. 



Eiit if the covering be properly performed, it will fre- 

 quently preferve the fruits under it, when there happens al- 

 moft a general failure in the neighbourhood where this pre- 

 caution has been neglected. The great trouble which feems 

 to attend it may deter many from putting it in practice ; yet 

 if the nettings, or other coverings, be fo contrived as to draw 

 up and let down by means of pullies, the bufinefs may be 

 done with eafe and expedition ; and the fuccefs attending it 

 will make ample amends. 



But what is called a blight is frequently no more than a 

 weaknefs or diftemper in trees. This is the cafe when trees;. 



P« 9> I©, 37. 



againft 



