JULY. 



351 



Dorticiilturiil ©^cnilions 



FOR JULY. 

 FRUIT DEPARTMENT. 



The month of June, though dry, like May, has been one of the finest for 

 vegetation we have ever known. There has only been tliree or four warm 

 days, but yet the month has been free from cold easterly, or dry westerly 

 winds: very little rain has fallen, yet light and repeated showers have fur- 

 nished a supply of moisture, which has been taken up by the foliage and 

 given a freshness to vegetation rarely seen at this early season. 



The fruit crop promises well this year, particularly pears ; we have never 

 seen them more abundant, or look clearer and fairer. If the season con- 

 tinues as favorable, they will, we think, give finer specimens than we have 

 hitherto seen : that climate greatly affects our fruits, is too well known by 

 all who have given any attention to the subject ; but for its variableness, 

 fruits which require the protection of forcing houses could be as readily 

 grown in the open air. It is the sudden and extreme changes which so in- 

 juriously affect our finer fruits. 



Grape Vines, in the early houses, will now have their fruit nearly or 

 quite ripe : keep the house well aired both night and day, in good weather, 

 and it will give a better color as well as finer flavor to the grapes. Prune 

 in the laterals if they grow crowded, and give attention to the ripening of 

 the wood, on which the excellence of the next crop depends. Vines in cold 

 houses will now require to have their fruit thinned, the bunches shouldered, 

 &c. Guard against cold draughts which cause mildew. 



Strawberry beds, as soon as the fruit is gathered, should be weeded 

 and prepared for making new runners, in order to get them well estab- 

 lished before winter. 



Fruit Trees will now require much attention : this is the month to give 

 the whole of the dwarf or pyramidal trees their general summer pruning. 

 Mulch new planted trees, and water such as are producing heavy crops. 



Insects must still be looked after. The aphides, pear slug, &c., will oc- 

 casionally appear, but they are easily killed by a dose of whale oil soap. 



FLOWER department. 



All the planting now nearly done, and such plants as require it all re- 

 moved from the houses to the open air, now is the time to make a general 

 shift of the main stock. The Camellias and Azaleas, in large collections, 

 will be the most important, and these should be attended to at once. Pre- 

 pare the soil and go over the whole collection, repotting all that need it, and 

 top dress the remainder. 



Many plants intended for filling up the houses next Avinter and for cutting 

 bouquets will require a shift, and plunging out in beds. The whole collec- 

 tion should be looked over this month for this object, as it is the season of 

 the most leisure. 



Camellias, removed to the open air, should be well syringed every other 

 evening. Repot as above, and graft and inarch this month. 



