686 GARDEN MANAGEMENT. 



Tseneath healthy vines (and it should be turned twice at least in the day), 

 thought that the leaves revelled in the food, and vibrated with delight. 



2155. Vines in pots may be started in a bottom-heat of 53° in dung-beds, 

 unless means are found for giving them bottom-heat ov^er flues, &c., in the 

 houses in which they are to be fruited. After they are fairly broke, they can 

 ba carefully moved to their fruiting quarters ; in many places the first vinery 

 will now be started. Proceed as recommended last month. 



2156. Peaches. — If these are wanted next May, the house, or trees in pots, 

 must now be started. They should already have been untied, pruned, washed, 

 &c. Examine the borders thoi-oughly ; water, and top-dress with good maiden 

 loam, if necessary. See that the house, as well as the trees, is scrupulously 

 clean, so that you do not have to battle with vermin as well as dark skies 

 and inclement weather for the next six months. The Royal George, 

 Noblesse, Galande, and Vanguard peach, and the Red Roman and Violette 

 Hative nectarine, are the best for early forcing. Proceed slowly ; give no fire 

 unless compelled, and do not exceed 45° by fire-heat dui-ing the month. 



2157. Orchard-Houses. — If these are either open or unroofed, see that the 

 hungry birds do not destroy your next year's crop. They seem fond of model 

 standard trees, and in a single day will often mar the hopes of a twelve- 

 month. The lights should also be placed on these structures, as it is a dan- 

 gerous practice to allow standard trees to be much frozen. The cold is also 

 much more intense here than on the surface of a south or west wall. 



2158. Neither should fig-trees grown under glass be ever frozen. The embryo 

 fruit will most likely be destroyed, and a whole month's or six weeks' forcing 

 lost in consequence. This is a good time to examine the wood thoroughly for 

 scale, &c., and to paint them all over with the composition I have already 

 recommended for vines. 



2159. Pines. — Those swelling off must be assisted by a warm genial atmo- 

 sphere of 75°, and be watered when necessary. The bottom-heat will require 

 to be examined, and fermenting material renewed possibly. Plants intended 

 to fruit next spring and summer must be guarded against any sudden check, 

 be kept rather dry, and rest for the next three months in a temperature of 60" 

 to 65°. 



2160. Similar treatment, except the resting, will suit the general stock of 

 succession plants. They must be kept slowly moving in a dryish atmo- 

 sphere. 



2 161. Much attention will be necessary to renewing linings, &c., to those in 

 pits, to maintain the requisite temperature. Coverings of mats, reed -frames, 

 &c., must also be applied in severe weather, and all sudden changes guarded 

 against. Occasionally, too, some of the strongest succession plants will 

 require water at the roots, although the air may be a great deal too damp. (See 

 last month about how to apply it.) This is the most trying month in the whole 

 year for pine-plants in pits ; hence they must receive extra care and attention. 

 lu fact, the month makes war with all culture of fruits as well as flowers ; and 



