JduRisKiL  OR  HORTrauLfunR  and  dorrAdE  gardener. 
l^ovehifeor  1§,  1896. 
m 
HAEDT  FKUIT  GARDEN. 
Wall  Trees. — Sweet  Cherries. — Whether  trees  on  walls  are  trained 
fan-shaped  or  horizontally  some  pruning  and  nailing  will  be  necessary. 
Both  forms  may  be  furnished  with  permanent  branches  clothed  with 
epura,  many  of  which  will  have  been  originated  naturally.  There  will, 
however,  i  certain  number  artificially  formed,  some  probably  being 
in  the'  course  of  formation.  These  are  situated  at  the  base  of  shoots 
developed  during  the  current  year,  but  which  were  shortened  early  in 
^summer.  Such  shoots,  which  ought  not  to  be  very  numerous  on  well 
managed  Cherry  trees,  must  be  further  cut  back  at  the  present  time, 
retaining  only  about  an  inch  in  length,  or  where  it  is  seen  a  cluster  of 
fruit  buds  have  formed.  Should  such  shoots  be  numerous  it  is  not 
advisable  to  preserve  them  all,  especially  if  there  is  a  good  selection  of 
natural  spurs,  and  the  retention  of  all  will  cause  crowding.  Nor  ought 
the  spur  clusters  to  be  allowed  too  closely  situated  on  the  branches.  In 
order  to  attain  this  end  without  severe  thinning  cut  out  the  oldest  and 
weakest  annually. 
A  mixed  system  of  pruning  and  training  may  answer  with  fan- 
trained  trees.  This  method  admits  of  periotiically  renewing  the  oldest 
branches  and  training  in  younger  ;  also  a  nnmber  of  vigorous  current 
year’s  shoots  may  be  laid  in,  and  they  will  fruit  the  second  or  third 
year  :  but  they  must  be  thinly  disposed. 
Morello  Cherries.— Spar-praning  may  be  adopted  with  these,  but  it 
is  not  the  custom  so  generally  as  that  of  training  in  young  shoots 
annually.  The  latter  is  the  better  method,  because  it  produces  the  finest 
fruit,  and  the  trees  can  be  kept  evenly  furnished  with  vigorous  young 
wood.  Yeung  growths  are  selected  each  year  from  the  base  of  the  fruit¬ 
ing  shoots.  After  the  latter  are  cut  out  early  in  the  antumn,  the  reserved 
■boots  may  take  their  place,  the  operation  of  tying  or  nailing  them  in 
being  carried  oat  daring  the  winter  months,  by  which  time  the  exposure 
they  have  had  to  air  and  sunshine  insuring  thorough  ripening. 
Plums. — The  treatmeuc  with  reference  to  training  and  pruning  is 
carried  out  on  similar  lines  to  that  adopted  with  Sweet  Cherries.  Plums, 
however,  may  be  more  freely  shortened  back  to  refurnish  trees  with 
young  wood  when  the  older  branches  are  exhausted,  or  signs  of  unfruit- 
fnlness  are  shown.  This  is  easily  accomplished  when  the  branches 
radiate  from  one  stem  as  they  do  on  the  fan  system.  A  large  extent  of 
wall  space  may  be  covered  with  such  trees  both  as  regards  height  and 
width.  In  training  Plums  on  the  free  or  extension  principle,  it  may  be 
pointed  out  that  the  young  wood  does  not  fruit  so  freely  as  Morello 
Cherries  or  Peaches  the  first  year  following  its  formation,  but  usually 
requires  a  longer  period,  daring  which  time  a  number  of  natural  spurs 
are  formed  which  eventually  fruit  well.  At  the  same  time,  lateral 
growths  may  issue  from  the  shoot,  and  if  pinched  or  summer-pruned,  the 
development  of  spurs  at  their  base  will  also  take  place.  Then,  at  the 
winter  prnniug,  cut  back  the  shortened  lateral  shoots  to  an  inch  of  their 
base.  Young  wood  may  also  be  laid  in,  in  spaces  available  to  receive  it 
without  crowding,  or  In  positions  rendered  vacant  by  the  removal  of  old 
branches. 
Pears, — Pears  are  usually  grown  on  walls  in  the  espalier,  cordon, 
and  fan-shaped  forms.  In  all  cases,  however,  the  fruit  is  produced  on 
spurs  originated  along  the  entire  length  of  the  front  of  each  branch. 
The  clusters  of  spurs  should  be  about  6  inches  apart,  the  branches  being 
a  foot  asunder.  It  is  frequently  the  fact  that  branches  are  allowed  to 
remain  closer  together  than  is  desirable,  which  renders  the  trees  unfruit¬ 
ful.  If,  in  the  first  instance,  they  are  originated  suffi.iently  wide  apart, 
they  will  not  subsequently  overshadow  others,  preventing  the  proper 
ripening  of  the  spurs.  Endeivonr  to  keep  the  spurs  moderately  close 
to  the  branches.  When  they  elongate  unduly,  the  warmth  and  protection 
of  the  wall  are  in  a  great  measure  lost ;  besides,  the  younger  and  shorter 
spurs  may  be  weakened,  and  will  not  plump  up  as  they  should,  owing 
to  the  absence  of  light  and  air.  Spurs  as  well  as  branches  being  thinly 
disposed,  fruit  buds  should  form  freely,  and  not  push  into  long  summer 
growths.  Nearly  all  trees,  however,  have  a  certain  proportion  of  the 
latter  which  are  dealt  with  in  summer,  pruning  to  four  or  five  leaves, 
further  shortening  back  now  to  a  few  bnls.  These  having  received  good 
nourishment  finally  form  stout  fruit  buds. 
Old  projecting  clusters  of  spurs  on  aged  branches  are  better  reduced, 
even  to  the  extent  of  dispensing  with  some  of  the  most  gnarled  and 
twisted  examples.  By  this  means  a  considerable  amount  of  most 
desirable  thinning  of  useless  parts  will  be  carried  out.  Trees  not  having 
completely  filled  their  allotted  space  may  have  the  leading  shoots  laid 
in,  only  slightly  shortening  the  terminal  ends,  choosing  well  placed, 
plump  buds  for  continuing  successional  growth  next  season.  Cordon 
trees,  however,  may  be  allowed  to  extend. 
FRUIT  FORCING. 
Teacbea  and  Nectarinea. — Earliest  Forcing  House. — The  trees 
must  now  be  started  to  ripen  the  fruit  in  May,  when  the  varieties  consist 
of  Hale’s  Early,  Condor,  Dr.  Hogg,  Dymond,  Stirling  Castle,  Royal 
George,  and  Crimson  Galande,  all  first  quality  Peaches  of  good  colour, 
which  is  essential  to  take  the  “eye”  and  bring  top  prices.  Early 
Rivers,  Lord  Napier,  Stanwick  Elruge,  Humboldt,  and  Dryden 
Nectarines.  The  very  early  varieties,  Alexander  or  Waterloo,  Early 
Beatrice,  Early  Leopold,  and  Early  Louise  Peaches,  with  Cardinal, 
Advance,  and  Early  Rivers  Nectarines,  need  not  be  started  until  the 
new  year  to  ripen  at  the  time  named.  The  trees  should  be  thoroughly 
examined  for  brown  aphis,  and  if  there  be  the  least  trace  of  the  pest  the 
affected  parts  should  be  brushed  over  the  same  way  as  the  growths  with 
tobacco  water,  and  the  house  fumigated  on  two  consecutive  evenings 
with  tobacco  paper  or  nicotine.  If  the  roof  lights  have  been  drawn  off 
the  border  will  have  been  thoroughly  moistened  down  to  the  drainage, 
bat  there  must  not  be  any  mistake  abont  this,  for  it  is  important  t^t 
the  trees  have  sufficient  water  at  the  roots  ;  therefore  if  any  doubt 
exists  as  to  the  moisture  of  the  soil  give  a  thorough  watering.  Weakly 
trees  will  be  benefited  by  an  application  of  liquid  manure.  Fire  beat 
need  only  be  employed  at  night  to  excluderfrost,  and  by  day  to  insure  a 
temperature  of  50°.  Commence  ventilating  at  50°,  and  close  the  house 
at  that  temperature,  ventilating  fully  without  lowering  the  heat  below 
60°  in  the  daytime. 
Syringe  the  trees  in  the  morning  and  early  afternoon  of  fine  days 
until  the  buds  begin  to  show  colour,  but  then  (and  on  dull  days  prior 
thereto)  discontinue  the  syringing,  yet  maintain  a  suitable  moisture  in 
the  atmosphere  by  damping  the  paths  and  borders  on  bright  mornings  and 
fine  afeeruoous,  admitting  a  little  air  coustantly  at  the  top  of  the  house. 
Aim  at  bringing  the  trees  on  gradually  to  secure  well-developed  blossoms, 
strong  in  the  stamens  with  anthers  laden  with  perfect  pollen,  and  the 
pistils  stoat,  well  advanced  above  the  ovary  and  perfect  for  fertilisation. 
These,  however,  will  be  perfect  or  imperfect  as  they  were  formed  in 
embryo  in  the  previous  season,  but  they  can  be  enfeebled  by  bringing 
them  on  too  rapidly,  and  made  thin  in  the  petals,  weak  in  stamens,  and 
slender  in  pistil,  with  ill-developed  ovary,  by  not  affording  time  for  their 
perfect  development. 
Houses  Started  at  the  Hew  Year. — Trees  started  early  in  the  year 
for  affording  ripe  fruit  at  the  end  of  May,  the  trees  being  the  old  forcing 
varieties,  must  now  be  kept  as  cool  as  possible.  This  is  best  effected  by 
keeping  the  roof  lights  off  the  bouse  until  the  time  of  starting.  The 
severest  weather  does  not  injure  the  wood  or  buds,  and  the  trees  are  in 
perfect  rest,  so  far  as  it  is  practicable  in  our  climate.  The  lights,  how¬ 
ever,  should  be  replaced  about  a  fortnight  in  advance  of  starling  the 
house,  and  they  must  be  cleansed,  repaired,  and  if  necessary,  painted. 
The  woodwork  of  the  house  must  be  washed  with  carbolic  or  petroleum 
soapy  water,  and  the  walls  washed  with  hot  limewash.  Pruning  will 
have  been  attended  to,  which  is  a  light  affair  where  proper  attention  has 
been  given  to  disbudding  and  cutting  out,  after  the  fruit  is  gathered, 
the  useless  wood.  The  trees,  however,  must  be  examined  to  remove  wood 
not  required,  and  that  overlooked  during  growth.  Brown  scale  is  some¬ 
times  troublesome,  and  it  is  impatient  of  extremes.  Syringing  with 
water  at  a  temperature  of  140°  to  160°  frees  the  ^ranches  of  the  pest, 
but  the  water  must  not  be  used  excessively,  it  stffi  lingto  reach  every 
part  with  the  hot  water.  Frost  also  has  a  decisive  effect  on  brown  scale, 
and  trees  exposed  in  the  rest  season  are  seldom  affected  with  it,  but  it  is 
often  introduced  from  plant  houses  by  persons  in  charge  of  veniilatiou. 
Trees  under  fixed  roofs  may  be  cleansed  ot  scale  by  washing  them  with 
a  solution  of  carbolic  or  petroleum  soap,  4  ozs.  to  a  gallon  of  water, 
using  a  stiffish  brush,  taking  care  not  to  dislocate  the  buds.  Secure  the 
trees  to  the  trellis,  allowing  plenty  of  space  in  the  ties  for  the  swelling 
of  the  branches.  Remove  any  loose  inert  soil  ;  supply  fresh  loam,  not 
more  than  2  inches  thick  on  the  roots,  and  to  which  has  been  added  a 
quart  of  bone  meal,  a  similar  quantity  of  soot,  and  double  the  amount 
of  wood  ashes  per  barrowload,  the  whole  well  incorporated.  Mulching 
the  surface  with*  short  manure  should  be  deferred  until  the  trees  are 
somewhat  in  growth.  Houses  with  fixed  roofs  should  be  kept  us  cool  as 
possible,  ventilating  to  the  fullest  extent,  except  when  severe  weather 
prevails. 
Hou.  es  for  Startvig  in  February . — The  trees  started  early  in 
February  ripen  the  fruit  late  in  June  or  early  in  July,  and  will  now 
require  similar  treatment  to  that  advised  for  those  in  the  bouse  to  be 
started  in  the  new  year.  The  roof  lights  are  very  much  be' ter  removed, 
but  it  is  a  common  practice  to  use  houses  of  this  kind  for  plants 
requiring  protection  from  frost,  especially  Chrysanthemums.  It  is  not 
an  advisable  proceeding,  for  the  Peach  trees  are  deprived  of  that  rest  so 
essential  to  success,  and  it  often  excites  them  prematurely,  being  then 
followed  by  a  check,  as  is  usually  caused  when  the  Chrysanthemums  are 
over  by  throwing  the  house  open,  inducing  the  buds  to  fall.  It  is  also 
a  bad  system  to  leave  houses  and  trees  unattended  after  the  leaves  fall 
until  the  absolute  necessity  arisfs  for  starting  the  trees.  These  are 
never  handled  so  safely  as  when  the  wood  contains  least  sap,  which  is  as 
soon  as  the  leaves  have  fallen,  and  the  delay  is  taken  advautage  of  red 
spider  and  other  pests  to  find  safe  retreats.  The  house,  therefore,  should 
be  thoroughly  cleansed,  the  trees  pruned,  readjusted  to  the  trellis,  and 
every  needful  operation  performed,  so  that  a  start  may  confidently  be 
made  when  the  time  arrives. 
Houses  St  rted  in  March.— IAiq  trees  in  these  structures  and  closed 
early  in  Match,  will  ripen  their  fruit  in  July  if  brought  forward  by 
artificial  heat,  but  where  warmth  is  only  given  when  the  trees  are  in 
bloom,  and  to  secure  the  safety  of  the  young  fruit  from  frost,  the  frait 
will  not  ripen  until  August  or  September  if  kept  cool  and  the  varieties 
are  the  usual  midseason  ones.  The  house  may  be  a  Peach  case  or  glass- 
covered  wall,  with  sufficient  hot- water  piping  to  exclude,  frost ;  afford  a 
genial  warmth  when  the  trees  are  in  blossom,  accelerating  the  ripening  as 
may  be  necessary,  and  ripening  the  wood  in  cold  districts.  The  trees 
are  now  leafless  where  they  have  been  subjected  to  artificial  heat  to  ripei) 
