530 VILLA GAEDENING part vii 



atmospheric. Keep the growth thin, and set the crop of fruit as 

 nearly as possible altogether. If any get too much lead the others 

 will not swell. Rub a little sulphur on the walls and pipes as a 

 check to red-spider. As soou as the crop is set (and from 4 to 6 

 fruits to a jjlant is a fair crop, if the Melons attain to a good size) 

 pinch all young shoots back to keep the main leaves from over- 

 crowding. 



Strawberries. — Bring on fresh relays of plants as fast as the 

 fruit is gathered from the preceding lot, so as to have them coming 

 on in regular succession. Thm the blossoms to about a dozen, 

 with plenty of air circulating among the plants ; the blossom should 

 set now without any assistance. Feed well with liquid manure, 

 and syringe freely, until the fruit begins to ripen, to keep down red- 

 spider. 



Forcing Vegetables. — Potatoes, Carrots, Peas, and Cauli- 

 flowers in frames may have the lights drawn off altogether on fine 

 warm days. Tomatoes, whether gro\\ni in pots or planted out, will 

 require a good deal of attention in pinching and training. Cucum- 

 bers also must be carefully managed now. A little shade will be 

 required on a bright day, and frequent top-dressing will be bene- 

 ficial. Asparagus covered with glass only will come on fast now. 

 Seakale and Rhubarb will only require blanching. Forced Lettuces 

 should be tied up, and have free ventilation. 



MAY 



Flo-wer Garden and Shrubbery. — Plant hardy edgings round 

 flower-beds early in month, and the bedding plants after the 20th. 

 Calceolarias may go out earlier. Thin out and transplant an- 

 nuals. Plant Dahlias. Stake all plants needing support. Train 

 Creepers. Mulch and water newly-planted shrubs and trees. Trans- 

 plant Hollies. Kill insects on Roses. 



Fruit Garden. — Disbud Peaches. Kill green and black fly 

 everywhere ; for an emergency Tobacco powder is a good remedy. 

 Remove protections fi-om fruit trees about the 20th. Look after 

 the eggs of the Gooseberry caterpillar ; they will be found on the 

 under side of the leaves, ranged in two rows on each side of the 

 midrib of the leaves. Water Strawberries if the weather is 

 dry. 



Vegetable Garden. — Sow Marrow Peas, Broad Windsor, 

 Scarlet Runner, and Dwarf French Beans. Plant Cabbages, 

 Cauliflower, Lettuces, New Zealand Spinach, and Leeks. Sow 

 Broccoli and other winter gi'eens for last time. Sow Round 



