CALENDAR. 285 



the middle of fine days, and stop the fruit-bearing growths 

 one joint beyond the fruit. Till a full crop be set keep the 

 air drier, give more air, and less water at the root. After a 

 sufficient number of fruit are set and begun to swell, give a 

 heavy root- watering and increase the air moisture again ; and 

 unless where there are good melon -pits with the plants 

 trained to trellises, do not syringe overhead. With superior 

 appliances the syringe may be used on fine afternoons, but 

 not till after the fruit are as large as hens' eggs. Range the 

 temperature from 70 to 75 at night. Plant out succession 

 crops, and sow approved sorts for later crops. 



Cucumbers. Increase the temperature to 75 on mild 

 nights when sun-heat can be taken advantage of in the after- 

 noon. The early planted plants will now be bearing freely. 

 Do not allow them to bear too many at a time, or some of 

 the freer sorts, such as Volunteer and Sion House, will ex- 

 haust themselves. The disposition to ramble and grow will 

 decrease as they come in a full-bearing state. Mulch them 

 with rotten manure, and maintain a moist atmosphere ; and, 

 above all, see that they do not suffer for lack of water, if in 

 shallow borders with hot -water pipes under them. Plant 

 out later-raised plants as soon as they are established in 

 5-inch pots, and train as 1 described. Sow for succession in 

 later crops. 



MAY. 



Pines. Early started fruit will now be swelling rapidly 

 towards mature size. When it is an object to get them ripe 

 as soon as possible, they may now be pushed on with a high 

 temperature, but let it be principally derived from sun-heat, 

 to run it up to about 100 for an hour or two after 4 P.M. 

 There must be a corresponding amount of moisture supplied 

 to the air, sprinkling the plants and fruit; but syringing 

 must not be carried to excess, or the result will be tall un- 



