MONTHLY CALENDAR. 635 



nvast be jprovided with work ; and one of the greatest mistakes in forcing 

 is to allow them to go to sleep after they have begun to break. Sudden depres- 

 >ions of temperature always have this tendency : they chock growth, or, in 

 other words, send them to sleep again ; and this sleep in working hours is 

 iilways fraught with dauger, often produces death, — to say nothing of the 

 injurious effects of the stimulants necessary to induce new growth, — the 

 mere fact of its forcible cessation, from cold or excess of heat, is pregnant with 

 disease and disaster to plant -Ufe. 



19S2. From the time the bud bursts its horny sheath until the luscious 

 fruit melts in your mouth, all work and no play, — all growth and no check, — 

 must be the stern regimen of the successftil cultivator. If this is important 

 r.t all seasons, it is essential now. It is only by constant and vigorous action 

 that the inertice of the dead season can be conquered. Velocity of motion 

 is the best antidote to the resistance of friction ; so is a rajDid and vigorous 

 How of the sap essential to healthy growth. At this season, unless the sap is 

 urged on with power, the chances are it will not flow at all ; but an excess of 

 speed must also be avoided ; for what is gained in speed is often lost in safety. 

 The inertice of friction may be overcome at the expense of destroying the 

 centre of gravity ; so may an elongation of parts be obtained at the expense 

 of solidity and strength. Motion in itself is of little use, and may be appUed 

 to the worst of purposes. Guided by intelligence and skill, it subserves the 

 highest interests of man ; so the motion of the sap through vegetable vessels, 

 either fast or slow, is in itself of but little conseqtience. Unless, however, 

 thwarted by man's stupidity or ignorance, that fluid is destined to form 

 verdant leaves, lovely flowers, or luscious fruits. When man undertakes to 

 control the time, circumstances, and results of its motion, great wisdom and 

 skill must guide his movements, or he is doomed to failure. The fir.st preli- 

 minary to success is a clear perception of the object in ■view, — that object is 

 fruit. A too rapid extension of parts is unfavourable to fruitfulness ; there- 

 lore this must be avoided. The embryo fruits are enwrapped in the buds, and 

 the more vigorously they can be made to unwind themselves, the more robust 

 and vigorous v;ill the young fruit be. Heat in moderation, and a genial 

 atmosphere, favour this vigour ; heat in excess, or an enervating atmosphere, 

 destroys it. Hence the importance of striking a balance between ojiposing 

 ibrces, and securing a happy medium favourable to our purpose. That pur- 

 pose is the greatest quantity of the best fruit in the shortest period of time, 

 from the smallest possible space. A thorough comprehension of what is hero 

 stated, with the practical instruction already imparted, and yet to be given, 

 will enable any and all of your readers to approximate at least towards theso 

 desiderata. 



1983. Peach-hozise. — Supposing that the fruit was gathered in May or June, 

 the lights removed in July, the trees pruned in August or September, they 

 may now be thoroughly painted over with a composition consisting of equal parts 

 sulphur, clay, cow-dung, and soot. The borders should also be forked up, 

 six inches or one foot of the old soil removed, if that is practicable, for roots, 



