MONTHLY CALENDAR. 373 



except one, to form a centime for a tall pyramidal-shaped plant, the best form 

 for this beautiful tribe of flowering plants, 



iioo. Fela7-goniums trussmg up for flowering require particular attention : 

 tie out the shoots as far apart as possible, to admit air freely to the heart of 

 the plant, keeping the pot covered to its rim with foliage : give liquid manure 

 two or three times a week, and fumigate for protection from the green-fly : 

 give all the ventilation possible, and water sufiiciently to prevent the lower 

 foliage losing colour. 



iioi. Scarlet Geraniums should be encouraged to grow by liberal shifting, 

 and when established, water freely, giving liquid manure to those fully rooted. 

 Stop those growing freely, that they may become compact and bushy plants, 



1102. Fuclislas, shrubby Calceolarias, Heliotropes, and Alonsoas, like the 

 geraniums, require liberal shifting in order to grow them properly. Select 

 strong plants of either, and shift them into a sufficiently large pot filled with 

 a good rich compost, and, if convenient, place them in a gentle bottom-heat. 

 Shade them from the sun, and syringe occasional!}-, to keep up a moist atmo- 

 sphere. If they are required to be large plants, pinch out the first flower-buds 

 and place stakes a foot higher than the plants, to tie them to as they grow. 

 When well established, give liquid manure and ample ventilation during the 

 day ; but shut up early to promote vigorous growth. Pick off" all decayed 

 leaves from calceolarias and other shrubs, and peg down, to furnish the surface 

 of the pots. 



§ 8,— Fruit-Culture under Glass. 



1 103. The great enemies of fruit- forcing are insects. Strict watch must now 

 be kept for the red spider ; if allowed to establish itself on the vines now 

 beginning to ripen their fruit, it will seriously compi'omise next year's crop. The 

 thrip is a still more insidious enemy, and its destruction is both difficult and 

 expensive. On large-leaved plants, such as the vine, if not very numerous, it 

 may be kept down by carefully washing the infected leaves with weak tobacco- 

 water, using a soft sponge for the purpose, that the leaves may not be injured ; 

 but on peaches, strawberries, and even when numerous on the vine, nothing 

 will serve to destroy them but repeated fumigations with tobacco. The brown 

 scale is sometimes troublesome to peaches, and should be brushed off with a 

 small painter's brush dipped in strong soap-suds ; but this pest seldom occurs 

 if the proper dressing were applied to the trees before forcing. French beans, 

 strawberries, and the like, must be removed from houses occupied by other 

 crops as early as possible, as they are generally the means of introducing 

 some of these pests, 



1 104. Finer?/.— The earlier crops now coming forward will be colouring, 

 when they must be kept perfectly dry, and have as much air as can be given 

 safely, keeping the house at the temperature of 65° or thereabouts. The most 

 important part of the vine's growth is between the breaking and the setting 

 of the fruit : for the formation of sound, healthy wood and perfect bunches, 



