122 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



fully exposed. Thin out apricots, and disbud; but proceed cau- 

 tiously and gradually, so as not to produce too great a check. Lay 

 long litter from the stable between the strawberry rows, which will 

 serve the double purpose of strengthening the plants with the salts 

 washed out of it, aud at the same time keep the fruit clean. Eemove 

 all runners that are not wanted for layering ; they only rob the 

 plants, impoverish the soil, and take up more time in clearing them 

 away after they once get rooted into the soil. 



Conservatory. — Very little fire-heat must be used here now. 

 Give plenty of air to prevent the plants drawing, and shade during 

 the bright sunshine, to enable the flowers to retain freshness as 

 long as possible. Plants of all kinds will now require increased 

 ■ supplies of water ; those in flower must not be allowed to suffer for 

 the want of this- element, or the flowers will soon drop. Sow 

 primulas and cinerarias for early bloom, and place the seed-pans in 

 a shady corner until the plants are up. Cytisus should be pruned 

 into shape immediately they go out of flower, and directly they 

 break, repotted. Autumn-struck and old plants of fuchsias will 

 require shifting into larger pots ; cuttings put in in March will now 

 want potting off. Keep the whole of the plants in a brisk growing 

 temperature, well syringed and pinched, as required. Eemove 

 cinerarias going out of bloom, if offsets are required, into a cold 

 frame, and keep them properly watered, when they will soon begin 

 to start. Verbenas and petunias struck now, and grown on, will be 

 useful for flowering in the autumn. Pot hard-wooded plants that 

 require a shift, and harden off those that have finished their growth, 

 preparatory to going out of doors for the summer. 



Stove. — Cut down begonias that are out of flower, and repot. 

 Shift on the ornamental-leaved kinds. Achimenes and gloxinias, 

 repot before they get pot-bound. Keep the former near the glass, 

 to prevent them drawing. Continue to shift orchids that require 

 repotting, and divide those, the stock of which it is desired to 

 increase. Maintain a thoroughly moist atmosphere by throwing 

 plenty of water on the floor, but avoid syringing them for the 

 present. Shut up early, and use as little fire-heat as possible. 

 Train specimen plants of a climbing habit, such as 'Stephanotis, as 

 fast as they make new growth, to prevent their getting out of 

 form. All the plants that require a shift must have it at once, 

 as better growth will be made in the fresh soil than in that which is 

 now worn out. 



Forcing. — Cucumbers and melons must be carefully handled 

 just now. Hang mats or canvas over the openings during the 

 prevalence of north or east winds. Shut up early in the day, and 

 give the foliage a moderate syringing before doing so. See that the 

 bed is a proper degree of moisture throughout its depth, and if it 

 requires watering, use water at a temperature of 75°. Where the 

 bottom-heat is supplied entirely by fire-heat, particular attention 

 must be paid to this point in their culture. Pay frequent attention 

 to stopping, training, and regulating the shoots. Fertilize the 

 female flowers of the melon. The temperature of the various 

 vineries must be gradually increased as the days lengthen, and the 



