MONTHLY CALENDAR. 623 



i.nd the head beginning to assume its permanent shape. This is produced by 

 means of hooked sticks, by which straggling shoots are brought into cup-hko 

 lorm, and forked twigs, by means of which shoots inchning inwardly aro 

 pressed out to their proper position, which should be as nearly the horizontal 

 r^s possible. 



195S. In the autumn of the second year the bushes may be planted out in 

 their permanent stations, which may be from three feet and a half up to seven 

 or eight feet apart, according to circumstances ; that is, if it is a plantation 

 entirely devoted to well-selected bush-fruit, in which no other crop is to bo 

 cultivated, three feet and a half, or four feet, will do. Where they are planted 

 with the intention of growing other crops between them, six feet to eight 

 feet will not be too much. Where they are planted in rows to divide tlio 

 quarters of the kitchen-garden, six feet will probably be a convenient dis- 

 tance. In planting, dig out the soil eighteen inches deep, and of sufficient 

 diameter to admit of the growth of the roots ; smooth and level the station 

 with the back of the spade, and drive a stake firmly into the ground in the 

 centre, leaving it six or seven inches above the surface of the soil. Having 

 trimmed the roots of the bush, place it in the centre of the station with 

 -the roots radiating in all directions, regularly spread out, none of them 

 spreading over others, and sprinkle two inches of the soil over them, pressing- 

 it gently all round into the roots ; over this spread a thin layer of well-rotted 

 dung, and fill up the whole to the level of the surrounding soil. This done, 

 water the roots well, and prune back all the shoots so as to form a cup-like 

 bush, with branches radiating from the centre. 



1959. Gooseberry and currant bushes produce their fruit both on the 

 young wood and on the wood two, three, and four years old ; and generally 

 along the branches. The general bearers, therefore, young and old, of proper 

 growth and well ripened, must be continued as long as they remain fruitful, cut- 

 ting out from time to time such as are of irregular growth or too crowded, — 

 all branches and decayed wood, together with the superfluous or over-abundant 

 young wood of last summer ; but retaining a selection of young shoots whera 

 \iecessary, to fill up gaps in the tree ; the rule being, to keep them trained to 

 i^ single stem below, while the head, or general expansion of branches, is kept 

 open and regular. 



§ 5.— The Culture op Flowers under Glass. 



i()6o. The first, and, in many places, the chief duty of the month, is to see 

 tliat all tender and all hardy plants intended to be bloomed in winter are 

 placed under the requisite shelter. Nothing injures the former, or prevents 

 the perfect inflorescence of the latter, mere than being exposed to the chilling 

 drenching rains that often fall at this period of the year. A day or two of 

 such untoward influences will do more harm than months of exposure to 

 genial balmy air and invigorating dews have done good. 



1961. It is good practice, in fine weather, to place out, in sheltered situations. 



