Horticultural Operations for May. 239 



HORTICULTURAL OPERATIONS 



FRUIT DEPARTMENT. 



Grape Vines in the greenhouse or vinery, will now be in full bloom, and 

 will require rather more attention than last month. As soon as the flowers 

 begin to open, discontinue syringing/or the season. If the finest grapes are 

 wanted, with a good rich bloom upon them, never syringe after that period. 

 Many, otlierwise beautiful grapes, are spoiled from not attending to this. 

 While the vines are in bloom, and until the fruit is all set, raise the temper- 

 ature a few degrees ; air early in the morning, and close up early in the af- 

 ternoon ; such of the vines as are shy setters, should be daily shaken, in 

 order to dislodge the pollen : by attention to this, an even crop may be ob- 

 tained on all kinds. After the fruit is formed, resort to a very free watering 

 of the paths and floors of the house, botli morning, noon, and night, so as 

 to keep up a genial and moist atmosphere. As soon as the grapes are of 

 the size of small peas, tliinning should be commenced ; this should be done 

 carefully, so as to retain the natural form of the bunch; attend also, to 

 shouldering the large clusters. Be on tlie look out for insects ; and if the 

 red spider appears, fumigate with sulphur. Plants raised from eyes or cut- 

 tings, should now be re-potted, and brought forward in good heat. The last 

 of the month is a fine time for planting out new vines, if the border is ready; 

 if not, it may be delayed tUl the middle of June. Vines in pots, should be 

 abundantly watered. 



Strawberry Beds should now be raked, all weeds dug out, and put in 

 order for the season; if the vines are too thick, dig under all the superfluous 

 plants ; the crop will be better than to have the beds too crowded. 



Fruit Trees, of all kinds, may be grafted now ; those budded last fall, 

 should be headed off", and have the ties loosened, if not already done. 



Fig Trees should now be liberally watered, occasionally using liquid 

 manure, or guano. 



Raspberry Plantations should be dug and put in order; tie the canes 

 up to strong stakes, and head off" the tops down to where the wood is stout 

 and well ripened. 



Plum Trees — as soon as the fruit begins to form, attend to the destruc- 

 tion of tlie curculio, by shaking the trees every day ; this is the surest way 

 to get rid of these depredators. 



flower department. 



Annual Flower Seeds will now require to be planted in tlie open 

 ground ; and as every garden should have a liberal quantity of them, we 

 name a few of the most showy ones ; referring to the catalogues for a gen- 

 eral collection. German Asters ; Larkspurs, of all kinds ; Stocks, of all 

 kinds ; Coreopsis, the several sorts ; Clarkias, Candytufts, Nemophilas, Go- 

 detias. Dwarf Convolvulus, Phlox Drummondi, Portulacas, Sweet Peas, Bal- 

 sams, Marigolds, &c. Make the earth fine where the seeds are planted, and 



