Horticultural Operations, for April. 191 



two double white, one double purple, two single purple, and one single white, 

 all large plants in eleven inch pots, the double purple having more than two 

 hundred flowers expanded. From P. Barnes, tliree seedling Azaleas and 

 two plants of Nemophila maculata, a new and pretty variety. 



AWARD OF PREMIUMS. 



Greenhouse Azaleas. — For the best six plants, to Ilovey & Co., SO 00 



For the second best, to Hovey & Co. . _ _ - 4 00 



Chinese Primroses. — For the best sLx plants, to Hovey & Co. 3 00 



Fruit: From W. C. Strong, Hovey's seedling strawberries. From J. 

 Washburn, very handsome specimens of Easter Beurr6 pears, finely colored 

 and v/ell ripened. 



HORTICULTURAL OPERATIONS 



for APRIL. 

 FRUIT DEPARTMENT. 



Grape Vines, in the greenhouse or early vinery, will now be advancing 

 rapidly, and will soon be in full bloom. If they have broken well, the main 

 shoot should have been, before this, carefully tied up to the trellis, and the 

 laterals laid out in regular order, and also loosely tied ; bringing such as are 

 too tender now into the proper position when the wood becomes firmer. 

 Syringing should be kept up morning and evening. All the laterals which 

 have advanced more than three eyes beyond the fruit-buds should be topped, 

 and all the superfluous shoots Avhich sprmg from the base of the spurs 

 should bo rubbed off", except such as are wanted to take the place of the old 

 ones. These should also be tied to the trellis, and their points pinched off. 

 Give moderate quantities of air, and shut up ratlier early in the afternoon ; 

 when the vines are in bloom, increase the temperature 5° to 10°, and discon- 

 tinue syringing, supplying moisture by means of a liberal watering of the 

 walks. Vines in the cold-house will require the same treatment we advised 

 in our last. Vines, in the open air, if not already pruned, should be attended 

 to immediately, and properly tried up to the trellis, or wall. Vines, in pots, 

 in the greenhouse, now in fruit, should be liberally supplied with water. 



Strawberry beds should be immediately uncovered, and if tlie ground 

 is dry, carefully raked, top-dressed, and put in order for the season ; if too 

 crowded, let half of them be dug under ; and if the soil is poor, top-dress 

 with guano. New beds may be made this month. 



Gooseberry and Currant bushes should have their pruning finished 

 this month. New plantations may be made now. 



Raspberry bushes should be pruned, the soil manured, and carefully 

 dug with a stout fork, so as not to injure the suckers, which take the place 

 of the old ones. 



Fruit Trees of all kinds should now be pruned. Grafting may now be 

 commenced, taking the cherries first, the plums next, and the pears and 

 apples last. 



