JUNE. 6 



courage the runners to root freely ; when 

 layered, do not let them suffer for want 

 of water. Place straw or some similar 

 material between strawberries now in 

 bloom, to preserve the fruit clean in heavy 

 rains, and to keep the ground moist. 

 Alpines and other late sorts should have all 

 the flowers pinched off this month. To grow 

 this fruit in perfection, it is necessary to keep 

 the roots moist while it is swelling, either 

 by mulching, which prevents evaporation, 

 or by watering, when it is necessary to give 

 a liberal supply. To accelerate the ripen- 

 ing process, lay some pieces of slate or 

 tiles or bits of thick glass under some of 

 the best fruit. 



Strawberries. Treatment of Forced 

 Plants. Where a large number of straw- 

 berries are yearly forced, the plants, after 

 the fruit is gathered, will be found valuable 

 for planting out, producing a most abundant 

 crop the following year : the later-forced 

 ones will answer best, as they are not so 

 liable to bloom again in the autumn. Turn 

 the plants into rich soil, and if they are 

 only to remain one year, they may be 

 planted pretty thick. Water them till they 

 get established. 



Raspberries. Remove useless suckers 

 from raspberry plantations, to admit more 

 sun and air to the fruit, and wherever the 

 canes are tied to rails, see that the fasten- 

 ings are secure. 



Vines. These will require going over. 

 Thin out what wood is not wanted for 

 bearing, and stop the bearing shoots at one 

 joint above the shoot ; nail in the leading 

 shoots close to the wall. Where the long- 

 rod system of pruning is adopted, a shoot 

 must be selected and carried up from the 

 bottom of each stem, to furnish bearing 

 wood for next year, By careful attention 

 to the vine border and to pruning, the vine 

 on open walls may be made much more 

 productive, as well as ornamental, than it 

 usually is. 



5 JUNE. 



June. Hotbeds, Frames, &e., 

 Work in. 



Capsicums i Chillies, &c. Capsicums, 

 chillies, egg plants, &c., should be repotted 

 into larger pots. This will probably be 

 their final shift. They may then be plunged 

 in a moderate heat, and as they grow taller 

 the frame can be lifted on bricks or flower 

 pots, working the linings up to it. Many 

 tender plants may be treated in the same 

 way, and thus prepared for autumn decora- 

 tion of the conservatory. 



CuciimberS) &>c. Making hotbeds is 

 seldom deferred till this time of year ; yet 

 it may be done advantageously. Both 

 cucumbers and melons, if started this 

 month, will pay for cultivating ; the direc- 

 tions for doing so being the same as in 

 former months, it is unnecessary to repeat ; 

 but common brick pits will be very suitable 

 for the purpose. 



Cucumbers in Advanced Stage. Cucum- 

 bers in an advanced stage will want clear- 

 ing of dead leaves, and the soil stirred 

 about them, and probably fresh earth 

 added. A toad kept in a frame will 

 destroy a great many woodlice and other 

 insects, and keep the plants cleaner than 

 they otherwise would be. The presence 

 of insect pests in the culture of cucumbers 

 or melons is chiefly, if not wholly, the 

 result of mismanagement ; but where they 

 do appear it is advisable to get rid of them 

 as soon as possible. Red spider and mil- 

 dew are counteracted by sulphur, thrips 

 and aphis by fumigating with tobacco, 

 which is the safest means ; but more credit 

 is due to the cultivator who, by judicious 

 care and management, keeps his plants 

 clear of them. 



Cucumbers in Open Ground. Plants in- 

 tended for open-air culture, if sown last 

 month, will be ready for ridging out. A 

 south border, or between rows ot tall peas 

 or scarlet runners, ranging north and south, 

 will suit them. Open a trench 4 or 5 leet 



