238 Horticultural Operations for May. 



dryest land, so as to put a stop to all kinds of labor in the garden or orchard. 

 This weather has consequently put back all kinds of work, and, if the 

 weather should turn up warm, crowding two months' labor into one. The 

 cultivator must consequently now make up for lost time ; commence at once 

 to dig- and plant, and accomplish everything as speedily as can be done 

 with safety. 



Grape Vines, in the early houses, will now begin to color their fruit. 

 See that the laterals are kept tied in. Air the house early in good 

 weather, and preserve a genial atmosphere by occasionally watering the 

 walks, gradually dispensing with this operation as the fruit changes, until 

 it may be discontinued altogether when the grapes are nearly ripe. Look 

 over the bunches and see that they are properly shouldered. Vines in the 

 greenhouse will now be setting their fruit ; keep a little closer atmosphere, 

 and discontinue watering the house till the fruit is well set, when it should 

 be resorted to again more liberally than before, as the weather is warmer 

 and evaporation greater. Vines in cold houses Avill soon be showing their 

 flowers, and Avill need the same attention given to greenhouse vines in our 

 last number. Finish pruning and training vines in the open ground. Dig 

 and manure vine borders this month. 



Peaches, in pots, will now need a great quantity of air, and liberal 

 supplies of water, with occasional syringing. Now is a good time to pot 

 peach trees, if more are wanted. 



Raspberry and Blackberry vines should be now tied up to strong 

 stakes, the ground well manured and dug. 



Strawberry Beds will need attention. Top dress, if they need it, 

 with old decayed manure, and thoroughly weed the plants. When they 

 have set their fruit, cover the ground with clean straw or short mowings of 

 the lawn. If the ground is poor, apply a light dressing of guano. This 

 month is the best time to make new beds. 



Grafting should be completed now, or as soon as convenient. 



Pruning should be attended to. Pyramidal trees should be well headed 

 in, and all the small, useless wood cut back to two eyes. 



Trees, of all kinds, should be got into the ground as early as possible. 



Insects : look after them. Red spiders, on the peaches and grapes, will 

 be troublesome ; and caterpillars, in the open air, will need " routing out " 

 as soon as they can be detected. 



FLOWER DEPARTMENT. 



The greenhouse and conservatory will now be gay with pelargoniums, 

 verbenas, roses, mimuluses, calceolarias, cinerarias, &c., and pains should 

 be taken to keep up a fine display by removing those done blooming and 

 supplying their place with others from a reserve house. 



This is the time to re-pot many plants, previously to their removal to the 

 open air, where they often suffer for want of it ; all the fast growing kinds, 

 kept in-doors, will require it. Camellias, azaleas, &c., will now be making 

 their growth, and will require liberal supplies of water and repeated syr- 



