April Making Ready for Summer 



to show upon Peach and Nectarine trees out of doors 

 is called Peach-leaf blister ; it raises ugly reddish or 

 greenish-red blisters on the leaves, severely weakening 

 the growth of the trees, and, if not treated, is likely 

 sooner or later to destroy them. When a tree is badly 

 attacked it is a difficult matter to arrest the disease. 

 Leaves that are much diseased ought to be cut off and 

 burnt, and the trees should be sprayed with Bordeaux 

 Mixture after the crop is set. A preparation called 

 Medeola is said to effect a cure. 



The Gooseberry Sawfly. The larvae of the Goose- 

 berry sawfly are fearfully destructive in some gardens 

 and ruin the leaves unless preventive measures are taken 

 in good time. Various substances are recommended for 

 dusting on the bushes at this season, such as lime, soot, 

 or hellebore powder, with the object of preventing the 

 deposition of eggs by the flies ; these substances should 

 be used while the bushes are moist. Spraying with 

 paraffin emulsion is recommended for the destruction 

 of the larvae. 



Fruit Trees under Glass. The secrets of success in 

 the cultivation of fruits under glass are to maintain ac 

 equable temperature, especially in spring when the shoots 

 are tender, to admit air as freely as possible when the 

 trees are in bloom, to keep the border moist though not 

 saturated, and to maKe no attempt to force the develop- 

 ment of the fruits until the " stoning" period has passed. 

 When Grapes are as large as small marbles and Peaches 

 and Nectarines the size of Walnuts they do not apparently 

 increase in size for several weeks, and during that period 

 they need unusual care in the matter of ventilation and 

 heating. An average temperature of 55 or 60 is suitable. 

 Strawberries in pots must have a light and airy position 

 near the glass so that the fruits may ripen thoroughly. 

 Tomatoes should now be potted in 5-inch pots, using good 

 turfy soil. Seeds of Melon, Cucumber, and Vegetable 

 Marrow are sown singly in small pots. 



203 



