476 GAEDEN MANAGEMENT. 



1459. Proceed to pot strawberries for forcing : as soon as the pots in which 

 the runners were layered become filled with roots, pot them in 6- or 7-inch 

 pots, using rich loam of medium texture, and well-rotted dung, and drain 

 well. The kinds intended for early forcing need not have quite such largo 

 pots as those intended for a later supply. When potted, place them in an 

 open situation exposed to the sun, placing them on boards, or a prepared 

 bottom, to prevent worms from getting to the roots. 



1460. Melons. — Keep a steady bottom-heat and free ventilation, more 

 especially in wet weather. Keep the strictest watch for red-spider and 

 mildew ; for both of which, sulphur, properly applied, is the best preventive, 

 in addition to keeping the roots in action by a well-adjusted bottom-heat. 

 Sow Lord Kenyon's, or any other good house cucumber, for autumn supply,, 

 following the same directions as for melons. 



1461. Orchard- House. — Ventilation is now the greatest care ; fasten back 

 and front shutters down, so that they cannot be closed ; syringing night and 

 morning, and watering copiously when dry. If any trees are growing too- 

 rapidly, tilt up the pots, and cut off all the roots on that side which are 

 making their way into the soil. A week later, serve the other side in the 

 same way. If the surface is getting hard from watering, place some fresh 

 compost loosely on the surface. Pinch in all lateral shoots to within two buds 

 of their base. On the 10th and the 25th lift the pots in order to break off 

 the roots, 



1462. Eemove all trees into the open air, to ripen their fruit in a sheltered 

 sunny spot. This gives them a piquant and racy flavour, unknown to fruit 

 gathered from wall- trees. Summer pinching of pyramids and bushes requires 

 rigid attention, 



1463. Lighting Furnaces. — For this purpose, the waste brushwood that is 

 sure to accumulate in a garden is very suitable ; it should be chopped while 

 green, if possible, both because it chops easier, and because it is stowed away 

 into a much smaller compass for drying ; let it be chopped very small— scarcely 

 three inches in length — for on this its chief efficacy, and the ease and comfort 

 with which it is used, depend. In lighting furnace fires, the usual plan is to light 

 the wood with straw ; but this makes a deal of smoke, and clogs the flue; it is 

 far better to use carpenters' shavings ; but if these cannot be easily obtained, 

 a good substitute is to have a piece of clean deal wood, and shave off a few 

 chips with a knife , thrusting these under the wood, and applying the match, 

 the fire is soon lighted without smoke ; if the wood is cut very short, a small 

 quantity will suffice ; and when fairly alight put on a small shovelful of coal 

 or coke. I find the most economical fuel to bui-n in places heated by flues, to 

 be two parts breese, or the fine residue from coke (the ashes and cinder from a 

 domestic fire are similar, and will answer the purpose), mixed with one-third coal. 

 This gives a lasting heat, and may be banked up to keep in for a length of 

 time. In cases of sharp frosts, the finer parts may be separated ; it will them 

 give a much stronger heat, but this will scarcely be required if the fires 

 are liohted in time. Boiler fires should burn clear, so that dust will not do. 



