i873.] 



CALENDAR. 



483 



there is any doubt about the working of 

 the front main drain, let it be seen to 

 at once. Keep Vines from which the 

 fruit is all cut cool and airy, unless, as 

 directed last month, in the case of 

 strong growing Vines that are not so 

 ripe as they should be, letting these be 

 fired till the wood is brown and hard 

 and compact. This also applies to 

 young Vines planted this year, and 

 which should not now be allowed to 

 make any more fresh growth, but be 

 fired, aired, and kept rather dry at 

 the root until the wood is perfectly 

 ripened. If they are at all crowded, 

 and have more than one joint on the 

 lateral growths, let all be removed now 

 by degrees except one bud and leaf, so 

 that a free circulation of light and air 

 may play about the Vines. If Vines 

 from which spring Grapes are expected 

 are not already pruned no time should 

 now be lost in getting it done. Re- 

 move all loose bark from their stems ; 

 and if there has been any red-spider 

 about them last year, scrub them well 

 with a hard brush and soapy water. 

 Brush and if possible paint all the 

 wood- work; remove the soil from the 

 surface of the border, and replace it 

 with fresh soil. Then dress the Vines 

 with the usual mixture, and all will so 

 far be in readiness for a start when 

 desired. Pot-Vines that may have 

 been standing outdoors should be re- 

 moved to some place where their roots 

 can be protected from heavy rains. 

 When a start with these is contem- 

 plated towards the end of the month, 

 dress any knife- wound about them with 

 styptic at once, and when started it will 

 be a great advantage if they can be 

 plunged in a mild bottom-heat. It is 

 always advisable when starting pot- 

 Vines thus early to put a few more 

 into heat than are required, as a few 

 may not start and show satisfactorily, 

 and it is very little use to start so early 

 unless with hrst-class, early, and well- 

 ripened Vines that have had a rest. 



Peaches. — Keep a l trees that are 

 well ripened, cool and well aired ; but 

 where tlie wood in late houses is still 

 unripe, fire and keep up a circulation 

 of air about the trees till they are ripe. 

 Trees that were planted a season or 

 two ago, and that have grown grossly, 

 should be partially lifted just as they 

 begin to shed their leaves. Where 

 new borders and planting young trees 



is contemplated, this is an excellent 

 month for the operation. But the 

 trees should not be moved too early, or 

 the wood will shrivel. It should be 

 done just as the leaves are ready to 

 drop. Some of late varieties of fruit 

 in late cool houses will be to gather 

 yet ; see that these are exposed to all 

 the sun going, or they will be colour- 

 less and deficient in flavour. 



Figs. — Generally Figs will all be 

 gathered by the middle of this month ; 

 but where there are any ripening, let 

 them have warmth and a free circula- 

 tion of air, and do not gather till they 

 are about to drop, or they will not be 

 good. Keep those from which the 

 fruit are all gathered cool and some- 

 what dry at the root. Eemove all 

 superfluous shoots not required for 

 next season's crop. Early plants in 

 pots will now have shed their leaves, 

 and should be protected from heavy 

 rains. 



Melons. — Keep the night tempera- 

 ture at 70°; and as the Melons ap- 

 proach the ripening stage, keep them 

 dry at the root, and keep a free circul- 

 ation of air about them. When more 

 ripen than are required, wrap them in 

 dry cotton wadding, and place them 

 in the fruit-room and they will keep a 

 long time. 



Cucumbers. — Do not allow the heat 

 to sink below 70° at night. Keep up 

 a genial growing atmosphere, and keep 

 the plants moderately moist at the 

 roots. Do not let young plants bear 

 many Cucumbers at one time, or it will 

 weaken them for the winter. Lessen 

 the moisture in the atmosphere and in 

 the soil as the season becomes more 

 dull and the nights longer. Stop them 

 at every joint, and do not let the 

 foliage become crowded. Give air on 

 all fine days, and shut up with sun- 

 heat early in the afternoon. 



Strawberries in Pots. — These 

 should now have their pots well filled 

 with roots, and the crowns strong and 

 matured. Protect the plants from 

 heavy rains, either by placing thtm in 

 cold frames or pits, or bv laying the 

 pots on their sides with the crowns to 

 the south, until such time as they can 

 be placed in winter quarters. Any 

 late plants may be placed under glass, 

 where they will complete their growth 

 better than in the open air. 



