THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 125 



must be gradually increased as the days lengthen, and the sun gains power. The 

 shoots of the vines in the late house are generally very brittle early in the day, when 

 they get to the proper length for tying out, therefore the training of these should 

 not he done until after the sun has been shining upon them for three or four 

 hours, which will make them more pliable, and less likely to snap off. In the other 

 houses, stopping and regulating the shoots must be done as circumstances demand ; 

 it is bad practice to stop during the time the grapes are stoning. Thin out before 

 the berries get crowded in the bunch, and avoid cold currents of air passing over 

 them. Cold chills at this period of their existence are very frequent causes of 

 "rust." The inside borders must not, on any account, be allowed to get too dry ; 

 examine them two or three feet below the surface. As the fruit of the figs begin to 

 swell, increase the moisture and heat. Peaches and nectarines will now be making 

 considerable progress. The night temperature should now range about 60° or 65% 

 with a rise of ten degrees during the day. Dishud, tie in the shoots, and thin the 

 fruit, as may be necessary. The last operation must be performed with a sparing 

 hand, as the stoning process is a critical time for these fruits to go through. Syringe 

 twice a day, and keep the borders properly watered. Pines ripening off must have 

 rather a dry atmosphere, and a temperature of 80' or 85 3 , with an extra five degrees 

 by the aid of the sun. Plants shifted recently must not have much water until the 

 pots begin to get full of roots. All vegetables now being forced must be freely ex- 

 posed to light and nir. The mushroom house must have a temperature of about 65°, 

 and a moist atmosphere. Collect horse-droppings for new beds. 



Pit and Frames. — Auriculas will now require more water ; shade from strong 

 sunshine. Turn out the whole of the bedding plants into cradles, wher3 they can 

 be protected with mats, if the frames are required for other purposes ; if not, draw 

 off the lights, except during frosts. Herbs, tomatoes, vegetable marrows, etc., 

 must receive full exposure to the external air, to enable them to go out sturdy and 

 strong. Prepare the frames for growing summer cucumbers, melons, and chilies. 

 Plants requiring to be grown on briskly should be shut up early, and have a skiff 

 with the syringe before shutting up. 



NEW BOOKS. 



Gleanings from French Gardens. By W. Robinson, F.L.S. (Warne, 

 Bedford Street, Covent Garden). — This is the second edition of a book to which we 

 gave a hearty welcome a year ago. It is so agreeably written and so rich in 

 information calculated to improve our position and multiply our out-door enjoy- 

 ments, that we hope every one of our readers will secure it quickly. 



A Contribution to the Flora of Australia. By William Wools, F.L.S. 

 (Sydney, F. "White : Melbourne, G. Robertson). — A capital book of its kind, far 

 more rich in interest for English readers than the title would indicate. It is a pity 

 (so we think at leas*) that there is no name of an English publisher on the title- 

 page, for it is likely many purchasers might be found here for the book, who will 

 not trouble to send to Australia for it. 



Synopsis Filicum ; or, a Synopsis of all Known Ferns. By the late Sir 

 W. J. Honker, and J. G. Baker. (Hardwicke, 192, Piccadilly). — In this beautiful 

 octavo volume we have Sir W. J. Hooker's last revision of the classification of the 

 Filices, admirably completed by Mr. Baker. We cannot recommend the book to 

 the thousands who grow a few ferns, and who want to know just " a little" about 

 them, but the collector and the botanist will find it a grand storehouse of technical 

 information ; and as to the place of any particular species, it matters not how 

 authorities differ, if we are to consider the question at all, we must consult this 

 work in the course of the consideration. It is a sort of backbone for a library of 

 fern literature. 



Practical Floriculture. By Peter Henderson. (New York : Judd and 

 Company, 245, Broadway). — We have " dipped into" this book, and like it much. 

 Being American, it is, as mi<*ht be expected, free from much of that evident plagi- 

 arism which characterizes English books on floriculture, which, in great part, are 

 copied one from another with sufficient alteration for evasion of the law. But, 

 being American, it is none the less useful for English cultivators ; for, after all, a 



