Monthly Calendar of Work. 495 



Provide or make labels, stakes, ladders, etc. 



Grapes in early heated houses will now begin to swell their buds, 

 and should be syringed night and morning. A temperature of 50 

 or 55 at night is enough for the first fortnight. Thin the bunches, 

 but do not handle the berries. 



For the Southern States, read the directions under March and 

 April. 



MARCH. 



Finish all uncompleted work mentioned for two past months. 



Head down budded trees in the nursery rows before the buds 

 have begun to swell. 



Prune hardy grape-vines. Start grape eyes or cuttings, as de- 

 scribed on p. 398. 



Graft the cherry very early to prevent failure. Graft plums 

 nearly as early. 



Plant cherry stones as soon as the ground thaws, as they sprout 

 early. 



Shorten back peach trees, as described on p. 96. 



In grape-houses, grapes under fire heat will need constant atten- 

 tion. Pinch laterals, thin bunches if too many, and give air and 

 plenty of water. In colder houses (or green-houses), the leaves 

 will commence expanding, and should be syringed daily till fully 

 out. 



For the South, read the directions under April and May. 



APRIL. 



Prepare for setting out trees, p. 56. 



Shorten back before the buds expand, pp. 61, 81. 



Transplant strawberries, p. 433. 



Uncover grapes, raspberries, etc., very early. 



Set out currant, gooseberry, and quince cuttings as early as pos- 

 sible, p. 29 ; also seedling apples, young pear trees, etc. 



Grafting the cherry and plum should always be done before the 

 buds begin to expand. 



Plant all sorts of fruit-tree seeds on the very commencement of 

 their sprouting, or as soon as the earth thaws. Peach stones may 

 be left later than others, as they do not start so soon. 



Level down the small mounds thrown around the young trees 

 last autumn, to protect against mice and winds, and spade in win- 

 ter mulching. 



