MONTHLY CALENDAR. 375 



enough to allow a gMd portion of turfy loam round the ball ; pot them firmly, 

 and rather deeper than the previous potting. On plunging them afresh, allow 

 them considerably more room, and bring them near the glass. Pines planted 

 out in open beds must also have the roots kept in a moist state by waterings, 

 ■which at this period may be given overhead, provided the pits are closed up 

 at a high temperature. 



1108. Feach- House. — The fruit on trees put forward in December will now 

 be approaching maturity, and the house should be kept rather dry, giving all 

 the air possible. At this stage they will bear forcing freely ; keep, however, 

 the syringe at work twice or thrice daily ; tie in the shoots as they advance, 

 and expose the fruit to the free action of Hght, if a high colour is wanted. In 

 the succession-house the borders should be kept well watered. British Queens 

 are very subject to red spider : to keep this down, ply the syringe well till they 

 are in bloom after the fruit is set ; the inside walls of the house should be 

 washed with a sulphur mixture. The fruit of the " Queens " will require some 

 kind of support, owing to the length of the footstalk. That the ripening- 

 fruit may enjoy all the advantages of light and air, tie close in the shoots 

 intervening between the trellis and the glass, and take off any leaves shading 

 the fruit from the sun. Give air freely to peaches during their last stage, to 

 improve the colour and flavovu*, and allow them plenty of time to ripen, which 

 will improve both then- size and appearance. A net should be suspended loosely 

 underneath the trees before the crop is ripe, to collect any fruit which may 

 get overlooked in gathering. 



1 109. Figs will now be ripening, and in this stage watering should be dis- 

 continued, as it injures the flavour of the fruit. When in tubs, however, and 

 a second crop is coming on, manure-water should be given in moderation. 



mo. Melons now swelling will reqmre a moderate amount of water ; if the 

 plants are growing in mere loam, liquid manure should be given. Be parti- 

 cular that the bottom is maintained at a steady point : a deficiency or excess 

 of heat at this stage would most materially interfere with the swelling of the 

 fruit. To preserve the soil in a medium state of dryness, and to save frequent 

 waterings, the surface of the bed may be covered with common flat tiles or 

 broken brickbats. Great attention must be paid to preserve the principal 

 leaves from injury. The fruit of plants growing on trellises should be placed 

 on a thin piece of board suspended under the plants. After the fruit is three 

 parts swelled, a fresh growth may be permitted if the plants are intended to 

 produce a second crop. 



Tin. Orchard-House — Ventilation must still be strictly attended to. 

 Open all ventilators during the day, except in fierce north and east winds. 

 Worsted netting of ^-inch mesh may be placed over the ventilators with 

 advantage in severe weather. If the caterpillar attacks the young shoots of the 

 apricot, the ends must be pinched off and crushed. Summer-pruning of trees 

 to be so treated to commence early this month. In pyramids, apricots, as soon 

 as the shoots have made six or seven leaves, must have the sixth leaf with the 

 end of the shoot pinched or cut off with a penknife, leaving only five main 



