244 



THE GARDENER. 



[May 



together in Pine-culture. In a general 

 way shadiug succession Pines is not de- 

 sirable. It is t-ouietimes necessfir}', 

 especially in the cape of Cayennes when 

 growing fast ; and after a continuance 

 of dull weather, it is better to shade 

 lightly for an hour or too than to allow 

 the leaves to get browned and wiry. 

 When, as is frequently the case, very 

 dull weather is succeeded by very bright 

 weather, th*^ air should be more plenti- 

 fully supplied with moisture than at 

 any other time, as a preservative of the 

 dark-green hue which is always so de- 

 sirable to be seen in Pines. 



Vines. — In early houses where the 

 Grapts are ripe, the atmosphere should 

 be dry and cool. It is, however, pos- 

 sible, for the wellbeing of the Vines, to 

 carry the drying process too far, espe- 

 cially when most of the roots are inside. 

 A starving process may be carried on 

 by extreme aridity. The border should 

 be examined, and, if becoming too dry, 

 let it be watered in the early part of 

 the day after the full air is on, so that 

 moisture may not condense on the 

 bunches. After watering, mulch with 

 some loose dry dung, such as an old 

 mushroom-bed. This prevents evapo- 

 ration, and keeps the necessary moist- 

 ure about the roots with less frequent 

 waterings. If red-spider sets in after 

 the crop is ripe, it must not be allowed 

 to have its own way. Where pure soft 

 water can be had, it is better to syringe 

 a few times to check it than to allow 

 the foliage to be prematurely destroyed. 

 If there is no unsightly deposit in the 

 water, the mere syringing will not de- 

 stroy the bloom, if performed in fine 

 days when the bunches dry quickly. 

 Hand-sponging each lewf where spider 

 appears, if the time can be aflForded, is 

 the best remedy. In later vineries, 

 where Grapes are swelling off, keep up 

 the temperature with as little fire-heat 

 as possible — that is, rather shut up 

 early in the afternoon to make the most 

 of sun-heat, instead of leaving the vinery 

 open later in the day, and then have re- 

 course to violent firing to maintain the 

 maximum night temperature. Under 

 such circumstances as we are recom- 

 mending, the night temperature can be 

 kept to 70° till far on in the evening 

 without heating the pipes much in the 

 early part of it ; and with such treat- 

 ment. Muscats, in bright weather, may 

 range as high as 75° at 9 p.m., falHng 

 to 70° in the morning. With increased 

 light, and the more liberal ventilation 



necessary, moisture, from sprinkling 

 the border and paths, must also increase 

 in all cases, except where the Grapes 

 are colouring and ripe. As soon as suc- 

 cession-houses are set, and have their 

 berries about the size of Radish-seed, 

 lose no time in getting them all thinned. 

 Avoid heavy cropping as perhaps the 

 greatest evil that can be perpetrated on 

 tlie Vine : it defeats its end in all ways. 

 The Grapes cannot be so fine, and it is 

 the surest way of breaking down the 

 constitution of the Vines. See last 

 month's "Calendar" in reference to 

 stopping, disbudding, and tying down 

 late Vines. Vines planted in March 

 and April will ivquire careful attention, 

 as their roots have not yet much hold 

 of the border. See that they do not 

 get too dry at the root, especially if 

 planted near the hot- water pipes. Tie 

 their young growths carefully to the 

 Vines, and allow them to make as 

 much growth and foliage as will cover 

 the roof. If there are temporary Vines 

 planted among those that are to be per- 

 manent, the former require to be dif- 

 ferently managed. One or two leaves 

 to each lateral growth is enough to 

 leave on them. As soon as they reach 

 the point to which it is intended to 

 fruit them next year, stop the main 

 fchoot, and then allow it to start and 

 grow again for a time; for if it and the 

 laterals be kept closely stopped, the best 

 of the main buds which should fruit next 

 year will start, and the object in view 

 will to a great extent be defeated. 



Peaclies. — Peaches now ripening re- 

 quire a free circulation of air, or flavour 

 will be deficient. Put aside all leaves 

 that shade the fruit, so that the sun can 

 lay on that mellow rich colour which 

 is peculiar to the Peach, and without 

 which they look insipid. Syringe freely 

 on fine afternoons later crops that are 

 swelling off, and pay great attention to 

 the state of the border where it is prin- 

 cipally inside. Give heavy waterings of 

 manure-water when required, and mulch 

 with a light coating of finely-disinte- 

 grated manure. In tying in the wood 

 and disbudding all the latest houses, let 

 no more be laid in than there is ample 

 room for ; or, in fact, no more than is 

 needed to furnish the trees with bearing 

 wood for next season. Thin the fruit 

 by degrees, but not finally till after they 

 have stoned. Keep green-fly and red- 

 spider from gaining a footing. Daily 

 syringing is the best way to keep the 

 trees clean. Pinch any shoots that 



