NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. 9 



can only be done by the persistent use of the push-hoe. 

 The constant moving of the ground between the growing 

 crops has a beneficial effect on them. 



Vinery. Temperature, early vinery, 75 to 80 by day; 

 night 65 to 70. Thin the berries, as directed last month, 

 before they are the size of small peas. In thinning, do not 

 cut the shank, but point the scissors just between the berry 

 and the petiole, leaving the broad end, or seal, attached to 

 the latter. The operator should be very careful not to touch 

 the berries with the fingers or his hair, as this removes the fine, 

 powdery flue or bloom, so beautiful in well grown grapes, 

 which is never after restored, and which is calculated to 

 preserve the berries from many injuries, particularly water, 

 which cannot remain on them as long as this fine, powdery 

 substance is preserved. Late vines will now be pushing. 

 Temperature in the late vinery, day, 70; night, 60. Attend 

 to former directions in stopping the laterals, removing 

 secondary shoots, and tying-in. Do not syringe the vines 

 when in flower ; but shake the trellis daily to disperse the 

 pollen. Maintain a moist, warm atmosphere. Pot vines 

 should be kept near the glass, and be liberally supplied with 

 liquid manure. 



Fruit Garden. Finish grafting, and promptly renew 

 the clay applied to previous grafts, if it crack or fall off. 

 Mulch newly planted trees with well-decomposed manure, 

 both to nourish them and to prevent the ground from drying 

 and cracking, treading the soil firmly at the same time about 

 the stems. Remove the runners of strawberries, fork lightly 

 between the rows, and dress with soot in showery weather. 

 Look closely after slugs, which will now be numerous and 

 destructive. A light dusting of fresh-slacked lime once a 

 week will destroy all slugs. 



Pits and Frames. Give air on all favourable oppor- 

 tunities to the half-hardy plants in pits and frames, in order 

 to harden them gradually to a full exposure of the open air 

 when planted out during this month. 



Flower Garden. Prepare for summer bedding by 

 forking and intimately incorporating fresh compost with the 

 soil of the beds ; but do not make the beds too rich, especially 



