368 GARDEN MANAGEMENT. 



search, all decaying branches must be cut back to a healthy bud, all disco- 

 loured and unhealthy leaves, and all dead blossoms removed ; nails and shreds 

 in the way of young wood loosened and placed in a more accommodating 

 place, and the leaves and branches well syringed with soapy water. Should 

 any appearance of the fly or scale present itself on the leaves, they should be 

 hand-washed and sponged with tobacco- water or some other composition, and the 

 whole syringed with clean tepid water. This will give even clean and healthy 

 trees a healthier appearance. The fruit, which will now be of some size, thus 

 cleared from all decayed or decaying matter, will have a fresh and healthy 

 appearance. 



1056. The object of disbudding is to remove all useless spray not required for 

 next year's branches, or which would not, from its position, ripen into desir- 

 able fruit-bearing wood ; it is, in fact, to relieve the tree from nursing wood 

 that must be cut away in the autumn-pruning ; but it must be the care of 

 the operator to avoid removing well-placed shoots for future branches, or 

 which would expose the tree to too severe a trial of its vital power. 



1057. Ajrples, Pears, Plums, and Cherries, on walls or espaliers, should also 

 be divested of all useless wood during this month, and the useful shoots trained 

 in, regularly removing all shoots produced in front of the trees close to the 

 stem. In summer-pruning, leave side-shoots in different parts convenient 

 for training for the production of future fruit-bearing spurs. By stopping 

 these side-shoots when they are a few inches long, the trees, whether espa- 

 lier, dwarf, or wall-trees, will be brought into a moderate state of growth 

 favourable for the production of fruit, with less use of the knife. 



1058. Strau-herries. — Towards the end of the month lay clean straw or fern 

 between the plants to keep the fruit clean and prevent evaporation ; water the 

 plants copiously in dry weather while in flower, and remove all runners not 

 required for propagation. 



§ 6.— Kitchen-Garden. 



1059. Asparacfus. — New plantations of asparagus may still be made, but it 

 must be well watered, unless rain occurs. Sow asparagus-seed where it is to 

 grow, and thin the plants to the proper distance. Beds that are in bearing 

 should be kept clear of weeds, and the ground stirred occasionally, adding a 

 sprinkling of salt, which improves the flavour. In cutting, use a rough-edged 

 knife, and insert it close to the head to be cut, to avoid cutting others in the 

 process. 



1060. AHichohes. — Stir the earth well about them, and reduce the shoots to 

 three, and draw the earth well about the roots. The oflsets taken off may 

 be planted in threes, four feet apart one way and five another, giving a copious 

 watering till they have taken root. 



1061. Seahale should be cleared of the litter used in forcing, and the ground 

 forked between the rows, keeping it clear of weeds till the following December, 

 unless the season should prove a dry one, when one or two copious waterings 



