1872 . ] 
FRUIT CULTURE.-FEBRUARY. 
43 
and I think it a very finely-flavoured peach, which should find a place in every 
early peach-house, as nearly every flower seems to set, and when in bloom its large 
flowers make a grand display. Mine are now (January) over, but for the last three 
weeks they have been beautiful. Stirling Castle , another of the recently introduced 
Peaches, I find very good in flavour, and a good forcer, coming in with me in the 
same house a little before Early Grosse Mignonne, a fine old peach. Another 
peach which I think will be well worth growing is Stump the World; it is not 
early, but I have it in the early house, as it forms a nice succession. 
Of the new Nectarines, I can speak well of the Pine-apple: indeed, I think it 
is the finest Nectarine out. Its appearance when well finished is grand, and it 
has a very rich flavour ; it is not, however, an early Nectarine. The White 
Nectarine I procured, but it unfortunately died with me from fungus about the 
roots. Albert Victor I'have fruited for two years; it is a large fruit of good 
flavour, but there is about this and the older variety, Victoria , something for¬ 
bidding in the green appearance they have even when ripe, that I fear they are 
often passed by at table on that account. Albert Victor , however, forces well, 
and is a good setter. I hope to try shortly some of the new early Nectarines, and 
then weed out the worst.— John Clark, Studley Royal. 
FRUIT CULTURE.—FEBRUARY. 
OX'^HEN the weather is favourable, pruning and nailing should be pushed 
forward with all possible despatch. Apricots should be finished imme¬ 
diately, as there is every appearance of the blossom opening early this 
year, if not retarded by severe weather. Gooseberries , Currants , Filberts , 
and all standard and bush fruit-trees should be open in the centre, to admit the sun 
and air. Fruit-trees may still be planted in open weather, though it should 
never, when possible, be delayed until now, as the dry, parching winds of March 
tell on late-planted trees. 
In-Doors. —Attend carefully to Pine plants in all stages. With the increase 
of solar light, the day temperature may be allowed to rise a few degrees higher 
than during the past month, but the night temperature should remain about the 
same ; admit air daily, if possible. Plants that are showing fruit and in flower 
should have a dry atmosphere ; and they should be carefully watered when they 
require it. Plants that are swelling off their fruit should be well attended to in 
watering when they require it, and they should have a moderately moist atmo¬ 
sphere See that the bottom-heat does not decline below 85°. In forcing, and 
indeed in every department of gardening, success depends in no small degree on 
attention,—constant, unceasing attention to all matters, even to minutiae. The 
Vines now blooming must be carefully tended ; maintain a dry atmosphere and 
a temperature of 65° for Hamburghs and 70° for Muscats at night, allowing 
from 12° to 18° rise during the day. Attend to the thinning of the berries 
as soon as possible after they are formed. Stop and tie down the shoots in the 
succession houses as they advance, and keep all inside borders well watered. 
