118 THE FLORIST. 



to remain after three or four o'clock in the afternoon. In cases where 

 it is desirable to have the greenhouse for the accommodation of plants 

 in flower, its general treatment must be very different to what would be 

 proper if it contained an ordinary collection of growing plants. If used 

 for this purpose air must be very freely admitted, and the shade may 

 be used more freely. The passages should be frequently sprinkled 

 with water during the day and the house kept as cool as possible. 

 Attend to shifting tlie growing stock as its appearance indicates that 

 it requires more pot-room. Never shift a plant at this season until 

 you have rendered the ball rather wet than dry. Red spider will be 

 very apt to make its appearance during the month, and must be de- 

 stroyed before it gains a footing. If any particular plant is found to 

 be infested with it, lay it down upon its side, and play upon it with 

 soft w^ater from a syringe as powerfully as it will bear without break- 

 ing the sprays or injuring the leaves; and do not be afraid of using 

 too much water, but stand behind the plant, so as not to dash the 

 water against the soil, which in that case might sodden it. Have an 

 eye upon green-fly and thrips, and treat the harbingers of these pests 

 W' ith a dose of tobacco-smoke. Should insects make their appearance 

 upon any of the plants which have been removed out of doors, their 

 destruction must be attended to, but if the plants are clean when 

 turned out, they will probably not be much trouble in this respect. 

 Many ordinary greenhouse plants may be removed towards the mid- 

 dle or end of the month to a suitable situation out of doors ; but be 

 careful not to expose plants too suddenly, which, either from having 

 been crowded in a shady house, or from being in a soft-growing 

 state, are somewhat tender. Be attentive and careful in the applica- 

 tion of water ; give abundance without giving too much. 



Hardy Fruit-Trees. Continue to protect the blossom and 

 young fruit against frost. So far the season has been favourable, 

 but it must not yet be concluded that all danger is past. It is a 

 bad practice, however, to allow^ even the slightest covering to re- 

 main upon the trees during the day, or to use it save in cases of 

 necessity. Proceed with the disbudding of Peach and Nectarine trees, 

 but do not disbud a tree at one operation ; remove only a portion of 

 the superfluous shoots at various times, which will not check the sap 

 and cause gumming, evils frequently the case when the work is begun 

 and finished at once. As soon as green-fly makes its appearance 

 apply tobacco- w^ater. Apricot- trees are very often infested with a 

 species of caterpillar, which if not detected and eradicated imme- 

 diately^ upon its appearance does great damage, by devouring the 

 leaves and eating a portion of most or all of the young fruit. This 

 small enemy is a busy one, able to destroy the fruit of a very fine 

 tree in a few days. Pear-trees will require to be regularly attended 

 to, and to have the ill-placed and useless shoots rubbed off^, and 

 others stopped. They should be gone over in a regular way once 

 a month during the growing season. This will hardly occupy more 

 time than is expended by those who allow them to become a perfect 

 forest before they attempt to do any thing for them. Disbud and lay 

 in the shoots of vines upon walls. 



