Jan.] the FRUIT GARDEN. 43 
bj beginning to make the fires about the time above directed, the 
trees will be in blossom about the middle of February, when we 
may expect some fine sunny days for the admission of a moderate 
portion of fresh air, which is essentially necessary to promote the 
natural impregnation of the fruit, and improve its free growth; for 
if kept too close they are apt to drop oft* in their infant state. 
The fires are to be lighted in the furnace every afternoon about 
four or five o'clock, and if kept burning till ten or twelve it will 
sufficiently heat the flues to warm the internal air of the house till 
next morning, when, if very cold, frosty or cloudy damp weather, 
a moderate fire may also be made occasionally; and by no means 
force the trees too much, for a moderate warmth will prove the 
most successful ; and tlius continue the fires occasionally till towards 
the latter end of April, but less in proportion as the weather grows 
warmer. 
Fresh air must be occasionally admitted in fine days, by sliding 
some of the glasses a little open, and, as the trees advance to blos- 
som and fruit, the days grow longer, and the power of the sun 
greater, allow a greater proportion of air accordingly. Likewise 
give frequent waterings to the borders. 
Thus your trees will be in full blossom in February, and some 
will ripen fruit in April, particularly cherries and strawberries; 
you may also expect early apricots, peaches and nectarines in May, 
and plums and early grapes in June. 
After the fruit of the ditterent sorts are all gathered, the glasses 
should be taken entirely away, that the trees may have the full air 
during summer; and in December they should be placed upon the 
frame again ready for forcing in January. 
With respect to pruning the trained trees, that is those that are 
trained as wall trees against the trellis, &c., they are to be pruned 
and trained every summer and autumn, each sort according to its 
kind, as other wall trees, and as directed under all their respective 
articles; and as to the standards, their requisite pruning is prin- 
cipally in autumn, to cut out any irregular growth, and thinning 
out any crowding shoots, for the branches must be kept thin and 
regular, clear of each other, six or eight inches distance; and any 
stragglers which extend in length considerably, should be reduced 
to order; and as the branches in general become so long as to press 
against the glasses, or spread too much, they should also be reduced 
a little, to preserve them within due compass, observing always, 
when shortening the standards it is necessary to cut to a bud situ- 
ated on the outside of the shoot or branch, making the cut on the 
inside. 
Every autumn, after pruning the trees, the borders must be 
digged carefully one spade deep. 
It must be remarked that the trees in these frames or houses, 
if annually forced, are not so durable nor plentiful bearers as those 
in the full air; therefore, when you shall see any become weak, 
sickly or bad bearers, others should be ready in training, or pro- 
cured from the nurseries to plant in their stead; and in this no 
time should be lost. 
