CALENDAR. 3 1 1 



well under way, and be ready for more rapid work when 

 there are longer days and more heat from the sun. 



Peaches. The early house prepared as directed last month 

 may now have fire-heat regularly applied, keeping the tem- 

 perature about 50 in mild weather, and a few degrees lower 

 when cold. Proceed with caution for the first few weeks. 

 Syringe the trees morning and afternoon with tepid water, 

 give a little air early every fine day, and husband every 

 gleam of sun-heat that can be had. Prune, dress, and tie 

 succession-houses. 



Figs. Where early figs are required, a place should be 

 got in readiness, where those in pots can be started after the 

 middle of the month. Bottom-heat is of great advantage 

 thus early : it obviates the necessity of much artificial heat 

 for a while at first if a bed of oak-leaves can be made up, in 

 which the pots can be plunged in a bottom-heat of about 75, 

 with a night temperature of 50 to begin with. They not 

 only break more freely and strongly into growth, but young 

 fruit formed in autumn are not so likely to drop off as when 

 forcing is commenced without bottom -heat. Syringe the 

 plants on fine days, and just give fire-heat enough till they 

 break to keep the temperature at 50 ; and when water at 

 the roots is required, let it be given at a temperature of 80. 

 If the plants have been grown several years in the same pot, 

 top-dress them with something rich, and water with guano 

 or sheep-dung water. 



Cucumbers. Avoid hard forcing in very cold sunless 

 weather, or the leaves will become thin, "and the whole 

 plants weakened. When the weather is severe, it is very 

 desirable to cover the surface of the glass, and fire more 

 moderately. 



Strawberries in Pots. Put a quantity of these into heat 

 according to the number of plants and available room. The 

 early peach-house, or a shelf near the glass, is a good place 

 to start them, as they do not do well with much heat thus 



