336 THE ORCHARD. [April. 



Strawberry Beds. 



Strawberry beds should now be kept perfectly free from weeds. 

 The runners produced from the plants should be constantly cleared 

 away as they advance. But where new plantations are wanted, let 

 some of the strongest remain till June, to form young plants, then 

 to be transplanted, as directed in that month. 



Water the beds of fruiting plants frequently in dry weather, 

 when they begin to advance for bloom; for if they are not supplied 

 with that article, in a dry time, the fruit will be smaller and of less 

 abundant production; observing to give the water between the 

 plants, and not over them. New plantations may be made in the 

 first week of this month. For the method, see page 222. 



Early Fruits in Forcing. 



Let the same care be taken of the early fruits of all kinds now in 

 forcing, as directed last month and February; but be very particu- 

 lar to give air in proportion to the increasing heat of the weather. 



THE ORCHARD. 



The orchard has been so fully treated of in the last month, be- 

 ginning at page 223, as well as in January and February, that 

 there is little to be said respecting it in this; except to advise the 

 completion of all that was directed to be done in the former, as 

 early in this as possible. Late planting of deciduous trees, whether 

 fruit or forest, seldom succeeds well, especially in warm climates; 

 and to ensure the best possible success every thing should be 

 attended to in due season, but more particularly planting; for 

 "time waits for nobody." Apples and pears, however, may be 

 planted, with tolerable success, in the middle states, but more par- 

 ticularly in a backward season, any time before the middle of April; 

 though it is necessity alone that could warrant their removal at so 

 late a period. 



Let it be observed, as a general rule, always to plant or trans- 

 plant your fruit trees before a leaf expands, or a blossom appears; 

 it is true that some plant later, but never with equal success. 



The grafting of various kinds of fruit trees may be performed in 

 the early part of this month, as directed in the Nursery for March, 

 page 248, &c. 



