1873.] GARDEN WORK FOE APRIL. 95 



potato buried in tlie soil, examined daily, is still one of the best traps for wire- 

 worm ; and the best of all traps for slugs is a sharp eye in the still evening 

 hours. Pinks, &c., should now be staked, as well as choice Tulips ; the latter in 

 beds should also be sheltered from cold winds. Fansies in beds should be top- 

 dressed, and protected from slugs. Pob/anthuses, Auriadas^ &c., must have all 

 the air possible, and should not be watered overhead ; sow seeds on the surface 

 of shallow pans, and cover with moss only. The warmer pits and frames will 

 now be full of seedling pLants or cuttings for the flower-garden. Propagation 

 and the nurture of seedlings must still be pushed forward with alacrity. Late- 

 struck Verhends, Alternantheras, &c., mostly grow freest in the beds. What is 

 called ' hardening off ' often really represents a stint from which the plants do not 

 recover until the season has half gone ; more skill is needed to let plants glide 

 safely and gradually from the heat of propagating pits and houses into the open 

 air, than in any other department of gardening. There should be no check 

 from rootinghood to flowerhood ; nor need there be, if it is borne in mind that all 

 intermediate states are times of special danger, needing constant care and 

 judgment. — D. T. Fish, Hardwiclce, Suffolk. 



FRUITS. 



In-Door3. — Pine-apples: As soon as the summer crop of fruit is out of 

 bloom, attention should be paid to their swelling, by increasing the atmospheric 

 moisture, and by removing all suckers not wanted for stock ; give them liberal 

 supplies of water, and occasionally a dose of liquid manure. Give air freely on 

 fine days, but close up early in the afternoon. The plants intended to fruit next 

 winter, that were potted the beginning of last month, will now be growing freely, 

 and should be encouraged to perfect their growth. The young stock must be 

 kept growing ; give them a moist atmosphere and a bottom-heat of about 85°. — 

 Vines: When the grapes begin to colour, keep the atmosphere rather drier ; give 

 a moderate amount of fire-heat, and an abundance of air when the weather per- 

 mits ; a little air should be given early in the morning, and increased as the 

 thermometer rises, but take care alwaj'-s to close up early in the afternoon. 

 Maintain a moist atmosphere in houses where the fruit is swelling. For Black 

 Hamburghs keep a temperature of about 65" at night, and 80° during the day ; 

 while Muscats should have a temperature 5° or 6° higher. Attend to the thinning, 

 stopping, and tying-down of the shoots in the late houses ; and thin the berries 

 before they get too large. — Peaches and Nectarines : Keep the shoots well tied- 

 m in ^ the^ early house, and be careful not to get them crowded. When the 

 " stoning " of the fruit is completed, raise the temperature to about G5° at night, 

 with a corresponding increase by day ; keep a moist atmosphere by syring- 

 ing the trees daily, and sprinkling' the paths, &c. Water inside borders 

 effectually when they require it. For directions for successional houses, see 

 previous calendars. — Figs : Persevere in syringing daily ; attend well to the 

 watering, and keep a moist atmosphere until the fruit begins to ripen, gradually 

 raismg the temperature as the season advances. — Cherries: Attend well to the 

 watenng ; keep the trees clear of insects, and give abundance of air. — Straiv- 

 herries : There will be no difiiculty in getting good crops to set after this, if 

 the plants are kept near the glass, and have plenty of air ; to get large, fine 

 truit, pick off all the flowers as soon as two or three are set on each plant, which 

 will be enough ; keep them near the glass, give them plenty of liquid manure, 

 and keep a warm, moist, growing atmosphere until the fruit begins to colour. — 

 ]\[elons : Attend^ to the stopping, thinning, and regulating of the shoots ; be 

 careful not to give too much air in cold weather ; keep up a steady, regular 

 bottom-heat all through their growth, and water with tepid water. 



