292 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



Melons. Plant out a quantity for August supply. Give 

 them a good depth of soil ; a heavy loam with a Very little 

 old cow-manure mixed with it is best, especially after this 

 season. Make the bed of soil firm, but not too smooth on 

 the surface, or it will become caked, and not easily pene- 

 trated with water when it is applied. Stop them when 

 they reach within 8 or 9 inches of the side of the frame, 

 and the lateral growths will show fruit. Stop the laterals 

 one joint beyond the fruit, and avoid overcrowding with 

 wood and foliage. Sprinkle advancing crops on fine after- 

 noons at shutting-up time, except where the fruit are setting. 

 Keep those that are ripening dry, and give plenty of air, 

 so as to get the fruit as high-flavoured as possible. Sow at 

 the beginning and end of the month for successional and 

 late crops. 



Cucumbers. Now is a good time to plant out a quantity 

 of plants for late summer and autumn supply. In England 

 they do well enough in frames after bedding - plants are 

 turned out ; but in Scotland it is necessary to have them 

 where there is a command of artificial heat, or mildew will 

 ruin them. 



Strawberries in Pots. These will now be nearly over, 

 and any that are yet to ripen may be removed to cold pits 

 and frames, where they can stand on a cool bottom, other- 

 wise red-spider will not be easily kept in check. As soon as 

 runners can be had, lay the necessary stock for another year's 

 forcing. For early forcing, make a point of having them 

 shifted into their fruiting-pots the first week of July. 



JULY. 



Pines. Should the weather be such as horticulturists like 

 and generally expect in July, the necessity for using fire- 

 heat, to keep temperatures sufficiently high for pines in all 



