Horticultural Memoranda. 143 



HORTICULTURAL MEMORANDA 



FOR MARCH. 



FRUIT DEPARTMENT. 



Grape Vines, in the greenhouse or grapery, will now be pushing vigor- 

 ously, and, by the latter part of the month, will show their flower-buds. 

 As soon as the eyes are all well broken, the shoots should be tied firmly 

 up to the trellis. Syringing should also be continued, every day, except 

 in damp weather. As soon as the shoots show their flower-buds, dis- 

 budding should be commenced ; — that is, to rub oflT every new shoot which 

 is not wanted to bear fruit, or form a spur ; on vines pruned on what is 

 called the close system, these shoots will be quite numerous, and, after 

 selecting that which promises best, the others must be taken off. On vines 

 pruned on the long spur method, all the shoots at the base should be rubbed 

 off, unless wanted to make a spur for another year. Some of the most for- 

 ward vines will also need topping before the close of the month, and will 

 also require to be neatly tied in, at a regular angle from the main stem, 

 and tied firmly, to prevent their being broken, as they often are, by their 

 own weight. [See our Diary in the last volume, for temperature.] Vines in 

 pots should now be liberally watered. Vines in cold houses will require to 

 be uncovered the latter part of the month, and, if the weather is warm, the 

 house should be well aired in the middle of the day. Isabella and other 

 hardy grapes may now be pruned. 



Root-grafting may still be done : the roots should be carefully placed 

 in boxes, and removed to a cool place, until the season for planting in 

 April. 



Raspberry plantations maybe uncovered the last of the month, should the 

 weather be mild. 



Strawberry beds may be also partially uncovered, if the season is favor- 

 able. 



Scions may yet be cut, placing them in a cool place. 



Grafting, where there is a great deal to do, may be commenced the last 

 of the month. 



Pruning orchards should now be attended to before the hurry of spring 

 work commences. 



Pear, apple, and quince seeds, not planted last fall, should be got into the 

 ground the first favorable opportunity. 



FLOWER DEPARTMENT. 



Camellias will now be making their new growth, and will require liberal 

 supplies of water at the root, and frequent syringing over the foliage ; in- 

 deed, the latter operation should not be omitted whenever the weather is 

 fine. If there is danger of burning from the glass, the plants should either 

 be shaded by a curtain of some kind, or the glass can be coated with whit- 

 ing ; the latter mode we generally adopt. If any of the plants are crooked, 



