Ventilation the same as in October. On the 5th give each tree a gallon of water, the last for the year. The autumnal top-dressing and watering encourage the emission of young roots, so that the tree is prepared for its fruit-bearing work early in spring. If the brown aphis makes its appearance on the young shoots and buds, use the brush and tobacco-water, as directed in pp. 354, 355.

December

The house may now be shut up day and night. A registering thermometer should be kept inside; if at any time this denotes a night temperature of 20°, some dry hay or litter should be placed among and on the pots, to six inches above the surface; this will keep their roots from injury by frost.

If the weather be windy, dry and mild, observe if the trees are inclined to shrivel from being too dry; if so, give each a quart of water at 10 a. m.; otherwise, no water all this month. If they shrivel from severe frost, it will not matter, for as soon as a thaw comes they will recover. Pay attention to the brown peach aphis.