426 GARDEN MANAGEMENT. 



ripening process of this delicious fruit, even in unfavourable weather. In 

 •watering melons, great caution must be used in supplying only the exact 

 quantity wanted, as an excess of water at the roots only tends to increase the 

 size and deteriorate the quality of the fruit. The kind of structure the plants 

 are grown in will have some effect on the quantity of water they will requhe. 

 In lofty i^its or houses, where the foliage attains a large size, and where a 

 much drier atmosphere is obtained than in frames and low pits, more water 

 will be necessary, and the sm-face of the soil should be frequently'' sprinkled. 



1270. Cucumlers at this season of the year do best with a considerable 

 amount of shade : this should be attended to, and the necessary bottom-heat 

 and moisture kept up. Keep the vines thin and regular by frequent stopping. 

 In planting out at this season, use a rather poor, in preference to a rich soil, 

 which, in cold wet seasons, produces canker. 



1271. Orchard- Houses. — In hot and dry weather trees will require watering 

 abundantly every evening ; in all weathers syriuge morning and evening, 

 at seven a.m. and six p.m. If the surface of the soil in the pots or border bo 

 dry, a new top-dressing may be added. Thin the fruit, pinching in all shoots 

 to the third leaf. 



1272. The red spider will now make its appearance on the tender part of the 

 peach-leaves, and must be extirpated by syringing, — if that fail, by lime or 

 sulphur. The house being closed, take some large flowerpots filled with im- 

 slaked lime, and saturated with four or five gallons of water ; over this strew 

 a handful of flour of sulphur, and leave it in the house all night. The next 

 morning syringe the house thoroughly. This will destroy the red spider and 

 many other pests of the garden. 



1273. Eemove plum-trees and apricots into the open air to ripen their fruit. 

 On the 10th, and again on the 25th, lift up the pots in order to break ofi" the 

 roots which have protruded through the drainage-holes, and attend to summer- 

 l^inching of pyramid and bush trees. 



1274. Ventilation and watering- as in last month, syringing till the fruit 

 begins to colour. Pinch the laterals, and at the end pinch off all leading shoots. 

 The ripening of peaches, apricots, and nectarines may be retai'ded by re- 

 moving into the open air. Summer-pinch pyramidal peaches. 



§ 8.— Hotbed and Frame Cultivation. 



1275. Making hotbeds is seldom deferred till this time of the year ; yet it 

 may be done advantageously. Both cucumbei's and melons, if started this 

 month, will pay for cultivating : the directions for doing so being the same as 

 in former months, it is unnecessary to repeat ; but common brick pits will be 

 very suitable for the purpose. Cucumbers in an advanced stage will want 

 clearing of dead leaves, and the soil stirred about them, and probably 

 fresh earth added. A toad kept in a frame will destroy a great many wood- 

 lice and other insects, and keep the plants cleaner than they otherwise would 



