524 VILLA GARDENING PAKT vii 



all plants of which yoimg stock is required. Keep the night 

 temperature about 65°. Recently-potted plants must be watered 

 carefully. Increase the atmospheric moisture, and in ventilating 

 avoid cold draughts. 



Forcing-House. — Bring on relays of all the plants in stock 

 for forcing, which should include Lily of the Valley, Azaleas, 

 Deutzias, Spirseas, Paul's Scarlet Thorn, etc. The early-flowering 

 Pelargoniums \rill now be opening their buds, and in a light house, 

 at a temperature of 50°, Zonal Pelargoniums should be very 

 bright. Autumn-struck Fuchsias will be coming on. Tuberoses 

 and Gardenias are nice for cut flowers. 



Propagating-House.— Cuttings of all kinds of soft-wooded 

 plants may be inserted in pots of sandy soil, and plunged in a 

 bottom-heat of 80°. Bedding plants may be increased rapidly 

 under like conditions. Roses may be grafted now on roots of 

 Briar or Manetti Stock. 



The Vinery. — The Vines in early house will now be breaking 

 into growth, and all surplus shoots shoidd be removed. One shoot 

 to a spur is quite enougli to leave finally. Raise the night tem- 

 perature to 55°. See that all inside borders are moist. Ventilate 

 early on fine mornings, and close early in the afternoons. The 

 thermometer may rise to 80° immediately after closing without 

 injury. SjTinge when closing, or sprinkle borders and paths. 



Peaches. — The blossoms at this early season will require some 

 assistance in setting. Some use the camel-hair pencil. Ventilate 

 freely, and give the trellis a shake when the pollen is dry at midday. 



Pines. — Plants intended for fruiting may have an increase of 

 temperatiu-e, and be kept for a time on the side of dryness at the 

 root rather than risk giving too much water. Syringe and close 

 early in the afternoon. Temperature at night for fruiting plants 

 65° to 68°. Succession 60' to 65°. 



Strawberries should be carefully set with the camel-hair 

 bnish. When enough has been set for a crop (say a dozen on 

 each pot), remove all surplus blossoms. Give liquid manure three 

 times a week after the fruits are set. 



Melons. — Plant out in house, and train to single stem. Press 

 the soil fii-mly about the roots, using good sound loam. Tempera- 

 ture at night 65", bottom-heat 75° to 80°. 



Forcing Vegetables. — Plant successions of Potatoes, French 

 Beans, Horn Carrots, Radishes, Asparagus, Seakale, Mushrooms, 

 etc. Make up hotbed for Cuciunbers. Top-dress plants in early 

 house frequently, as it is a great encoiu-agement. Plant Paris 

 Market Cabbage-Lettuce on a gentle hotbed to come in early. 

 Sow Mustard and Cress as often as required. 



