192 THE FLOaiST AND POMOLOGIST. [August, 



the late houses give the trees a good syringing, and pay every attention to tho 

 ripening of the wood. Figs: As the second crop of fruit will now be approachincr 

 maturity, water should be carefully administered ; give them abundance of air. 

 Melons : For ripening fruit attend to previous directions ; see that late crops do 

 not suffer for want of moisture at the root, nor for bottom-heat ; keep up the 

 linings, and give air freely. 



Out-Doors. — Attend to the directions given last month. The summer 

 pruning, nailing, and dressing of all fruit trees should now be brought to a close ; 

 and attention given to the ripening crops. When the fruit begins to ripen, ex- 

 pose it as much as possible to the sun, by removing any leaves that may shade it. 

 Protect all ripeniitf/ fruit from birds and wasps. Cut away all the Raspberry 

 canes which have done bearing. Make fresh plantations of Strawberries^ and if 

 not already done, shift at once into their fruiting pots all the young plants that 

 were layered last month in small pots. — M. Saul, Stourton, Yorkshire. 



VEGETABLES 



A VERY important crop for winter use, namely. Winter Spinach^ must be 

 sown early this month. A piece of open sunny ground must be prepared, and 

 good large sowings made weekly, in succession, from the 4th or 5th, until at least 

 three sowings are completed. Choose a dry situation, and one where the soil is 

 tolerably mellow, and will admit of being hoed with freedom even during the moist 

 winter season. The seeds should be sown in shallow drills about half an inch 

 deep, and kept constantly moist until they have germinated. Make successional 

 sowings of various subjects in the order named — that is, in regard to the wear of 

 the month. Make a small last sowing of Peas (First-crop) upon a warm sunny 

 border; also of Dwarf French Beans. Draw the remains of autumn-sown Onions^ 

 and in the case of light, stony soils, transplant thereto any late Broccolis, 

 Kales., Cabbages.; or Coleworts, after having first hoed it, without any digging or 

 manuring, which it is an error to attempt at this season of the year. Draw 

 Shallots and Garlic.^ and place them to dry, even in instances where, owing to the 

 lateness of the season, they are still somewhat green. Bend over the necks of 

 the summer crop of Onions., and so induce them to bulb more freely. Sow seeds 

 of Onions to stand through the winter for the early summer supply ; the largest 

 and finest kind is the Giant Rocca., of modern introduction — this, where size and 

 appearances are considered ; the finest-flavoured one for salads, &c., being the 

 older White Spanish., which may be treated very successfully in the same way. 

 Earth up the earlier Celenj ; this may be done all at once where no preliminary 

 measures have been taken, and yet an early supply is needed ; give the plants a 

 thorough root-soaking with manure-water previously. Gather and dry such 

 Herbs as Sweet Basil., Pot Marjoram., &c., as soon as the first sign of blooming 

 appears. About the 25th of the month sow seeds of the Caulijloicer (Early 

 London) ; sow thinly, and upon an open sunny spot. Make successional sowings 

 of Carrots of the Sliort-Horn or French-Horn types ; and of Lettuces of the 

 Brown Cos and Hardy Cabbage kinds, the latter to be transplanted when suffi- 

 ciently large for the operation. Collect horse-droppings for Mushroom beds, and 

 by placing them into a shed to dry prepare them for the early autumn beds. 

 Bring the planting of all kinds of Broccolis and Winter Greens to a conclusion at 

 the earliest time possible. Fork and hoe well amongst all growing crops, nor 

 omit to mulch such as are about to mature their crop. Should a dry period set in, 

 as it often does about this time of the year, give root-waterings to all subse- 

 quently. Particularly attend to the destruction of all Weeds., as if they are per- 

 mitted to get the upper hand at this season, much unnecessary labour will be 

 inherited anon. — William Eaeley, Valentines. 



