The Garden Under Glass

172 THE GARDEN UNDER GLASS The Routine Work Among peach-trees this cannot be considered at all difficult. From the time they are started into growth, which in the usual course will be about February, they must be syringed freely and forcibly twice a day, except when the weather is duil and when they are in flower. Other-wise the syringing must go on without intermission until the fruits begin to colour. When by the combined force of syringing and of increased warmth the buds burst and growth appears, we are confronted with the work of disbudding. It has often been said that peach-pruning should be done with the thumb and finger, which means that early in the year all growths which are not likely to be required are nipped out, the growths nearest the base of the previous year's growth being retained where it is possible and suit-able. Other growths which make towards the back or the front of the tree are pinched out. For safety’s sake and to leave a choice for winter pruning some leave rather more growths, but owing to the danger of overcrowding, and thus preventing the sun from colouring the fruit and ripening the wood, it is not a commendable plan. The branches left must be tied in as they become long enough. Flowering and Thinning As previously stated, syringing must cease during flowering, and to ensure a good set of fruit it is wise to touch all the flowers at noon with a rabbit’s tail tied to a stick. This must be done until the form of the embryo peach is clearly seen. Then againmay syringing be resumed. Inordinary cases it will be found that more fruits have set than will be required, for it is bad policy to over-crop a tree. Not only