168 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. [July, 



which will effectually destroy them. Raspherry Canes should be well thinned out. 

 Make new plantations of Strawberries, and layer immediately into small pots as 

 many runners as may be wanted for forcing next year ; those that were layered 

 last month, when sufficiently rooted should be potted into six-inch pots for the 

 earliest forcing. — M. Saul, Stourton, Yorkshire. 



VEGETABLES. 



Place a good mulching of coarse manure over the beds whereon Vegetable 

 Marroivs and Ridge Cucumbers arc grown, and give each very copious root- 

 waterings ; the mildew pest not infrequently attacks these, and should be met 

 on the very first symptoms with the perfect antidote — a surface dusting with 

 flowers of sulphur. Cucumbers and Melons in frames will need to have the heat 

 renewed in the linings, if the weather prove in the least dull, and the nights at 

 all cool. This is done by stirring up the old materials, and adding a little fresh 

 thereto, slightly damping all, if it be at all dry in the bulk. A good soaking of 

 manure-water should be given to such as have been growing some length of time. 

 Keep such as are making free growth well pinched back at one or two joints 

 beyond each fruit-blossom, and set the blossoms where necessary. Keep Tomatos 

 fastened to the walls, and pinch back all unnecessary shoots, removing therewith 

 any occasional large leaves which are likely to unduly shade the main gi'owth. 

 When these show for flower, and it is anticipated a crop is " set," then give them 

 a thorough good root-watering with manure-water, and subsequently well mulch 

 the surface soil immediately around the base of each plant with decomposed 

 manure. Capsictims and Chilis must also be attended to in these respects. 



Make now a last sowing of Peas consisting of some early free, quick-podding 

 kind, followed towards the end of the month by a sowing of some early dwarf 

 kind under a sunny south wall. These latter may afford a crop late, and should 

 early frosts intervene, they may receive some slight protection in view of saving 

 them therefrom. In cold situations preparation should be made towards the end 

 of the month for a good sowing of Cabbage seeds, to stand the winter through for 

 the early spring supply. It will be too soon to do this in early districts. No 

 favourable opportunity of planting out all kinds of winter or early spring stuff 

 must be lost, always taking advantage of a damp rainy period wherein to do so. 

 Early Celery in trenches must be kept constantly root-watered if an early supply 

 is to be anticipated. It is also an excellent practice to mulch the young plants 

 immediately they are planted out therein, as it checks such excessive i-adiation, 

 with its attendant evaporation, as is given off by crude soil directly exposed to 

 the full rays of the sun. The last sowing of Dwarf French Beans should 

 be made toward the end of the month ; this, also, upon a sheltered aspect, as a 

 protection against the early autumnal frosts. A good breadth of Turnips, Onions, 

 and Carrots, with more Lettuce, Endive, and Radishes sown about the beginning 

 and towards the end of the month, will come in useful, always endeavouring to 

 sow during or immediately following a showery period, without which, owing to 

 birds and an indifferent germinative capacity during dry weather, very little 

 success can be anticipated. Shallots and Garlic should be taken up and dried 

 preparatory to being stored, so soon as the surface growth dies away. Herbs 

 of all kinds should be cut for drying just immediately before they expand their 

 flowers, at which moderately-matured period in regard to growth, they possess a 

 greater amount of their individual flavouring properties, than at any period before 

 or after. Be particular in the process of drying not to expose them to the full sun's 

 rays for a day or two, but rather let the process be carried on by slight grada- 

 tions until the last few days, when full exposure to sun will be beneficial to them. — 

 William Earley, Valentines. 



