This section is from the book "The Gardener V3", by William Thomson. Also available from Amazon: The New Organic Grower: A Master's Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener.
In the March number of the 'Gardener' for this year, "D. J." says Mr Simpson of Wortley is somewhat given to startling ideas - I presume because he recommends syringing Peach-trees when in bloom. Perhaps it may interest some of your readers if I state a few facts about syringing Peach-trees when in bloom that have come under my own observation.
The first time I saw it done was at Ringwood, Derbyshire, by Mr Prince. His directions to me were, "Syringe when the weather is favourable, using your own discretion;" and if I have understood Mr Simpson's notes on syringing aright, his directions would have been the same; for he states, in the ' Gardener' for April 1872, that his trees were syringed about three times a-week during the dullest weather. It is absurd to think that Mr Simpson meant syringe so many times a-day, without taking any notice of the weather, or without taking into consideration whether the heating or ventilation were sufficient. I should have stated that nowhere have I seen finer crops of early and late Peaches than at Ringwood. There were two grand houses of Peaches here last season, both of which were syringed when in bloom; and I must say, two houses just as good that were not syringed. I have not a word to say about Peaches setting well on the dry system, but I consider syringing much better for the health of the trees, especially when you are obliged to put a promiscuous lot of plants in the house, and there is danger of getting thrip or red-spider on them.
Rangemoee. R. L. M'Intosh.
 
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