I879-] 



NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



391 



Figs. —Keep early trees in pots, from 

 which the second crop is all gathered, 

 free from insects by frequent syring- 

 ings. These may now be placed out of 

 doors in a warm sunny exposure, where 

 their leaves will not get damaged with 

 winds. Should they be the least 

 crowded with wood, remove all the 

 weaker shoots that is necessary to 

 regulate and properly thin them. 

 Trees in borders now swelling their 

 second crop should be well watered 

 with guano and dung water : a fresh 

 top-dressing of fresh manure will also 

 be of much benefit to them. Keep a 

 circulation of dry warm air about 

 those that are ripening, so as to pro- 

 perly develop the flavour. See, how- 

 ever, that while this treatment is 

 carried out, the border does not be- 

 come too dry. Except where fruit 

 are ripening, continue to syringe the 

 trees every fine day at shutting-up 

 time. 



Melons. — Expose ripening fruits as 

 much as possible to full sun ; and 

 should the weather be bright, do not 

 allow the soil to become over-dry and 

 crack as the ripening process goes on. 

 Give all plants swelling off their crops 

 waterings at intervals, and in suffi- 

 cient amount to prevent the soil from 

 cracking. Syringe the foliage when 

 the house is shut up, and give artificial 

 heat to keep the temperature from 

 falling below 70° at night. Shut up 

 in the afternoon early enough to run 

 the heat up to 85° or 90° for a time. 

 Impregnate late crops at midday when 

 the pollen is dry, and do not allow 



the plants to become crowded with 

 young growths. 



Cucumbers.— Plants that have been 

 in bearing since early spring, and that 

 are somewhat exhausted, should now 

 be partially cut back, removing all 

 the oldest growths, and have a top- 

 dressing of manure and loam in equal 

 parts put on their roots. Keep them 

 at 75° at night, and syringe freely 

 when shut up at 90° on fine afternoons. 

 Thus treated, they will soon recruit, 

 and continue to bear till late autumn. 

 Give plants in full bearing water suf- 

 ficient to keep them fresh and crisp in 

 all their parts. Regulate their growths, 

 and stop at every point. About the 

 middle of the month is a good time to 

 sow for winter-bearing plants. It is 

 desirable to get strong healthy plants 

 while the days are long, and com- 

 paratively little artificial heat is re- 

 quired. 



Strawberries in Pots.— These, if 

 shifted into their fruiting-pots last 

 month, and have been managed as 

 directed in last month's calendar, will 

 grow with great rapidity and vigour 

 this month if it be bright and w^arm, 

 and will require to be liberally sup- 

 plied with water and occasional water- 

 ings of liquid manure. If they are 

 crowded in any way, thin them out 

 and give them more room, so that 

 they get plenty of light and air about 

 their leaves. They may be sprinkled 

 overhead about five o'clock on the 

 afternoons of warm days. Keep them 

 clear of weeds and runners. 



All business communications and all Advertisements should be addressed to 

 the Publishers, and communications for insertion in ' The Gardener ' to David 

 Thomson, Drumlanrig Gardens, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire. It will further 

 oblige if all matter intended for publication, and questions to be replied to, 

 be received by the 14th of the month, and written on one side of the paper 

 only. It is also requested that writers forward their name and address, not for 

 publication unless they wish it, but for the sake of that mutual confidence 

 which should exist between the Editor and those who address him. We decline 

 noticing any communication which is not accompanied with name and address 

 of writer. 



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