65 
293 Fruit Trees. General autumn management, and revision 
of the collection, preparatory to the planting season. 
Having now laid down the necessary directions for Fruit- 
tree management, through the growing season, we arrive at the 
beginning of September ; and the principal object will now 
be to facilitate the ripening of the wood, and to prevent the 
ravages of the red spider, on the Peach and Nectarine trees. 
This insect frequently makes sad havoc, at this period, taking 
the unwary by surprise. Those who do not perfectly understand 
the offices of the leaf, in relation to the blossom of the ensuing 
year, might be led to infer that plenty of sound wood having 
been obtained, nothing more would be needed. The Peach and 
.\ectarine, however, are so sensitive to the attacks of insects, 
that one sure result of suffering the red spider to commit its 
ravages, during the autumn, will be an imperfect develop- 
ment of the blossoms in the following spring. The fruit of 
the current season, however, will be sure to suffer in a corres- 
ponding ratio, both in size and flavour; and how should it be 
otherwise, when the insects, in myriads, are devouring the very 
pabulum out of which both the quality of the fruit, and the 
fabric of the future blossom, are at once compounded. 
My practice is, if the red spider be gaining ground, to ply 
the engine or syringe, several limes a day, for about three suc- 
cessive days; making choice of dull or even rainy weather, if 
possible, in which to carry out the operation. The trees, during 
such time, should not be suffered to become dry for an hour, 
if possible. If, however, bright and continued sunshine inter- 
vene, the operation had better be suspended ; at least during the 
hotter part of the day. After this, I apply sulphur, with much 
care, to the affected leaves, being cautious not to blemish the 
fruit. If the autumn prove cloudy. Pears on the cooler aspects, 
or espaliers, should have some of the “snags,” or stumps of the 
foreright shoots, shortened still farther back, and many entirely 
removed, in order to admit sunlight on the embryo fruit buds ; 
for not a single chance of the kind should be lost at this late 
period, especially if the previous summer has not been of a 
genial character. All waste spray, or late growth, as well as 
root suckers, must be stripped entirely away ; and loose leaders 
or shoots, requiring to be reserved, should be trained closely to 
their respective situations. 
273. AUCTARIU.M. 
