100 



THE GARDENER. 



[Feb. 



FORCING DEPARTMENT. 



Pines. — Early Queens from which 

 ripe fruits are required in May and 

 June, and that have been subjected 

 to increased top and bottom heat as 

 directed in our Calendar for January, 

 should, if all goes rightly, have the 

 embryo fruits discernible in their 

 centres by the end of this month. 

 Probably the cold weather, and con- 

 sequent more moderate temperature, 

 may keep them a little later. Be that 

 as it may, let each plant be examined, 

 and as soon as the fruit is seen, give 

 them as much weak guano-water as 

 will thoroughly wet the ball if they 

 are dry. But in the case of any 

 plants that do not show fruit, it is 

 best to withhold water until they do 

 start, or they may make a growth 

 before they start, and consequently be 

 retarded beyond the time they are 

 wanted. The sun having more power 

 now, and there being more chances 

 of shutting up with sun-heat, the tem- 

 peratures in mild nights may run up 

 to 75° at 10 p.m., allowing it to drop 

 5° or 8° before daylight. But should 

 cold frosty nights prevail, be satisfied 

 with 5° less. The atmosphere may be 

 kept more moist — not by steaming the 

 pipes, but by sprinkling .the paths, 

 &c, from whence it evaporates more 

 gradually. As daylight increases, 

 fruit that started late in October and 

 early in November may be pushed on 

 move briskly, shutting up the house 

 early, so as to run the heat up over 80° 

 for a time, always accompanied with a 

 corresponding amount of air moisture. 

 The bottom-heat for these should be 

 kept at from 85° to 90°, and the soil 

 be regularly and moderately moist, 

 applying weak guano-water every time 

 they require watering. Early autumn 

 suckers that are in 6 and 7 inch 

 pots should now be examined ; and if 

 their balls are at all matted with 

 health v roots, they should be put into 

 their fruiting-pots by the end of the 

 month. If at all dry, water them at 

 once, and keep them moderately moist ; 

 and when shifted, see that they are in 

 a medium condition in this respect. 

 The soil for potting these should be 

 put into some place to warm and 

 become rather dry before it is used. 

 It should consist of a moderately light 

 loam that has been stacked for six 



months or more, and from which most 

 of the fine earthy matter has been 

 shaken. To every 2 bushels of soil 

 add an 8 -inch potful of bone-meal 

 and a G - inch potful of dry fresh 

 soot. Later suckers will now require 

 more water, a moister atmosphere, and 

 a slightly higher temperature. The 

 night temperature may be advanced to 

 65° ; and if the bottom-heat is below 

 80°, let means be taken to increase it 

 by 8° or 10°. Keep plants intended to 

 start into fruit in March still rather 

 cool and dry. 



Vines. —Especially during the day, 

 and when the vinery can be shut up 

 early with sun-heat, the forcing ■ of 

 early Grapes from pot- Vines may now 

 be carried on more briskly. Under 

 such circumstances the heat may run 

 to 80° for a time in the afternoon — 

 the fires being quickened in time to 

 prevent it from sinking below 70° 

 at 10 p.m., allowing it to drop to 60° 

 at daylight. "When the weather is 

 cold, a lower midnight-temperature is 

 much preferable. All rapid forcing, to 

 be successful, should be done under 

 the influence of sun-heat. Give these 

 a little air early in the day, gradually 

 increasing it till noon, when it should 

 be gradually reduced, and the house 

 shut closely for a few hours in the 

 afterpart of the day, and at dusk 

 putting on a chink of fresh air, ac- 

 cording to the state of the external 

 temperature. Whenever the berries 

 attain the size of Padish-seed, thin 

 them, and avoid over-cropping : six 

 good bunches on a pot- Vine will be 

 much more satisfactory than a half 

 more. Give a dessert-spoonful of Stan- 

 den's Manure every week, and water 

 with clear manure-water every alter- 

 nate time, keeping the balls regularly 

 moist. Thin off all superfluous bunches 

 from advancing crops on perman- 

 ent Vines, leaving bunches that are 

 compact and short. The night tem- 

 perature all through this month is 

 sufficiently high at 60° : unless the 

 weather be mild, it may go to 65°, 

 managing as regards sun-heat and ven- 

 tilation as directed for pot-Vines. If 

 the chief part of the roots are in inside 

 borders, see that they are kept moist, 

 and water occasionally with manure- 

 water. Supply sufficient moisture to 



