1873.] GARDEN WOEK FOR FEBRUARY. 47 



tlirips ; one dose, however strong, is seldom sufficient, tlie second makes them 

 very sick, a third while they are in this state kills them. Ferns and Lycopodiums 

 should be fresh potted just as they are about to start into growth. 



Aurioulas, Pinks^ Carnations^ &c., in frames, must have all the air possible in 

 suitable weather, to prevent damp and drawing ; place Dahlias in heat when 

 a large stock is needed, also Salvia patens^ and stock plants of Verbena, Alter- 

 nanthera, Iresine, Coleus, &c. — Pelargoniums also if much increase is wanted, but 

 I prefer autumn-struck cuttings of these for the main supply. Shrubbi/ Calceo- 

 larias in cold pits may be beheaded for cuttings. Prepare a pot or frame, or clear 

 a house, for seed-sowing. Subtropical seeds must now be got in, for it is wise 

 to turn out such things as Castor Oil Plants, Wigandias, Solanums, &c., large 

 and late, lest the end of May, or oven June, proves chilly. Increase plants of 

 which the stock is likely to be short, as fast as possible ; soft, cjuickly-grown 

 branchlets strike the fastest. From 60° to 70"^ is the temperature for the rapid 

 rooting of ' flower-garden stuff,' as it is called ; pot off as soon as rooted, and 

 establish the newly-made plants in a similar temperature. — D. T. Fish, Hardwicke. 



FRUITS. 

 In-Doobs. — Pine Apples : Proceed gradually as the days lengthen to inc?'ease 

 the temperature to plants in all stages ; any sudden change or excitement now, 

 after the long continuance of dull, hazy weather, may throw many of the suc- 

 cession plants prematurely into fruit. Plants that are swelling their fruit should 

 have liberal supplies of water, and a moist atmosphere. Those now " showing " 

 fruit will require care and attention ; maintain a bottom-heat of about 85°, and 

 keep the atmosphere rather dry whilst they are in flower. The plants intended 

 for fruiting next autumn and Avinter should now be shifted into their fruiting- 

 pots, and should be put in the place of those from which the fruit has been cut 

 during the winter. If the young successions have a bottom-heat of about 80°, and 

 are growing satisfactorily, do not be in too great a hurry to shift them. — Vines : If 

 the berries are all thinned, and the shoots properly tied down in the early house, 

 the principal matters now requiring attention will be to keep up a proper tempera- 

 ture, and nice genial atmosphere, attending carefully to the ventilation, and 

 watering the inside borders when necessary. Attend to the thinning of the berries, 

 and the stopping anl tying-down of the shoots as they requii'e it, in the succes- 

 sion houses, and see that there is a nice warmth in the outside borders. Disbud 

 the shoots in vines that are breaking ; and prune and dress all late vineries. — 

 PeacJies andi Nectarines: Thin the fruit, where set, in the early house, leaving 

 more than sufficient for a crop until after stoning, and syringe the trees two or 

 three times daily ; attend to the timely disbudding of the shoots ; keep a moist 

 atmosphere and give air freely when the weather peiTnits ; a night temperature 

 of bb^ to 60° will be quite high enough until after the "stoning" is over; keep 

 inside borders well watered ; whilst the trees in the succession house are in 

 bloom, give as much air as the state of the weather will allow ; start late houses, 

 beginning with a low temperature. — Figs : These are very subject to red-spider, 

 which it is difficult to keep under, unless the trees are syringed two or three times 

 daily ; keep them well watered and maintain a night temperature of about 60° ; 

 stop the young shoots when about 6 in. long. — Cherries : Admit air freely when 

 the weather permits ; after the fruit is set, syringe the- trees gently once or twice 

 a day; a night temperatui'o of 50° will be suflScient until after stoning. — Straw- 

 berries : Introduce a fresh batch of plants once a fortnight ; give abundance of 

 air to plants in flower, and as soon as they- are set thin the fruit, and increase the 

 heat. — Melons : Sow a few seeds for an early crop ; keep them near the glass, 

 and give them a nice bottom-heat. 



