MONTHLY CALENDAR 



OF 



HORTICULTURE AND FLORICULTURE, 



FOR MAY. 



The weather during the month of April, has been very cold, and vegeta- 

 tion is quite backward. Scarcely anytiiing has been planted. A few Peas 

 and Potatoes have been put in, but only in warm situations. Unless we 

 should have a very favorable autumn, crops will be small. In our last we 

 recommended various things to be done, on the supposition that the weather 

 the last monti) would have been as favorable as in seasons in general ; but 

 we believe the directions will apply to out door work nearly as well now, as 

 for last month. 



FRUIT DEPARTMENT. 



Grape vines, will this month show blossoms, and will require more atten- 

 tion. As the flower buds begin to open, the house should not have so mucli 

 air, and should be kept at a rather increased temperature. Grapes set much 

 the best in a high moist heat. The vines should be syringed once a week, 

 just before they flower, but until the grapes are set, syringing should be dis- 

 pensed with ; the paths may be sprinkled occasionally, lo give a moisture 

 to the air. After the grapes are well set, they should then be syringed two 

 or three times each week, unless cloudy or rainy weather. Grape cuttings, 

 in pots, put in as we have recommended, will have made shoots fifteen in- 

 ches long, and should lie repotted into the next size, and placed in the green- 

 house, or in want of this, under a south fence or wall, protecting them with 

 a mat, if cool nights occur. 



J\''ew Slraivben-y beds,may be made this month ; and if the transplanting is 

 well done, they will produce some fruit this year, and a plentiful crop the 

 next season. The jMethven Scarlet and Mulberry, are large, and bear great 

 crops. Keen's seedling and the Downton, are of superior flavor. 



Gooseberry bushes, should be pruned this month ; taking out the centre 

 branches, and cutting out all small wood. If the groimd was not manured 

 well in the fdl, it should now have a good covering, and forked up ; being 

 careful not to injure the roots. 



JVeivly p' anted Trees s\\nu\d be tied to a stake, to prevent their being injured 

 by the wind. All transplanting should be finished this month. 



FLOWER DEPARTMENT. 



Dahlias. — For their management, see pages 130 and 172. 



Camellias, in the green-house, should be shaded with a mat, and be well 

 watered, syringing the foliage every other day. Where they have been kept 

 in parlors during the winter, they should be |)laccd out in the open air, select- 

 ing a shady, sheltered situation, see pages I'S and 134. 



Auriculas should be repotted as soon as done flowering. 



Poli/anthuses should be separated, where wanted to increase the stock. 



Carnations, that have been wintered in a frame, shoidd now be set in the 

 borders, or in pots. 



