MONTHLY CALENDAR. Ml 



after all, I believe, the best mode of dealing with them ; they are, then, 

 easily destroyed by throwing them into salt and water. Wasps and flies 

 must be dealt with another way, for it is scarcely likely that any one will 

 stand by the trees all day for the purpose of catching them with the hand. 

 An old-fashioned plan is to hang bottles, containing sugar and beer-dregs, 

 about the trees, in order to entrap them ; but this is objectionable on account 

 of its unsightly appearance. I would not recommend syringing with any 

 solution or compound, which might deteriorate the flavour of the fruit, but 

 cover with suitable netting. This, however, may possibly not be required, for 

 insects are more or less abundant in different seasons ; but apricots, as soon as 

 they happen to crack, are sure to be attacked ; and as this sometimes happens 

 before the fruit is thoroughly ripe, it is always advisable to cover them. 



1594. Took in all useful wood. This should not be omitted this month, — 

 they will scarcely require it after : remove every shoot that is not really 

 wanted ; every scrap of wood that is not useful may as well be removed now 

 as at any other time. As it is not proper to drench the trees when the fruit 

 is ripe, or ripening, any shoots infested with aphis should be cleaned with a 

 brush, or by dipping in thick puddle. 



1595. Standard trees, where a regular thinning is not adopted, should be 

 shaken occasionally, to bring down any fruit that may be blighted. These 

 can be no good on the trees, and the sooner got rid of the better. 



1596. Towards the latter end of this month raspberries have generally 

 ceased bearing, and the old cones may be cut down : as they will be of no 

 further service, they are in the way, and should be got rid of, which gives the 

 new cones a chance to strengthen and maturate the shoots ; but those wanted 

 for the next year's bearing may be cut away ; it will then be advisable to 

 fork the ground over. This will destroy weeds, and give a fresh appearance, 

 besides admitting rain. All borders about fruit-trees should receive a forking 

 about this time. Currants— where any fruit is near the ground, that should. 

 be gathered first, as the splashing of rain is apt to spoil it. If ti ees are netted 

 over so as to be impervious to birds, flies, &c., these fi-uits v/ill keep good on 

 the trees till late in the year. Black currants will not keep on the trees, and 

 had better be gathered as soon as ripe. 



1597. Strawberry-beds may be planted ; but it is advisable to get the plant- 

 ing done as soon as possible, if a crop of fruit is expected the following year. 

 Even now it is a good plan to lay the runners in pots, if it can be done ; but, 

 generally, it will be found that strong runners have already rooted by this 

 time, and may be removed with a trowel. Plenty of water is necessary at 

 this time to newly-planted things. 



1598. July and August is generally the time for budding fruit-trees : if any 

 stocks are to be budded with different or better sorts, it should be done with- 

 out delay. Any peaches, nectarines, or other wall-trees that are scanty, or 

 unfurnished with v\'ood in any part, may be altered considerably by tho 

 insertion of a few beds. This subject has been entered into at length in a 



