CALENDAR, 277 



a size larger — in October, N'ovember, December, or Jan- 

 uary, rather than run the risk of a matted ball and stunted 

 plant that is worthless after being wintered. For Queens, 

 I consider 11-inch pots sufficiently large. For Cayennes, 

 Charlotte EothscTiild, and other large-growing sorts, I would 

 not exceed a 12-inch pot. 11 and 12 inch pots gave better 

 returns than larger sizes. These sizes will produce Queens from 

 5 to 6 lb., and Cayennes from 8 to 11 lb. — weights sufficient 

 to satisfy any requirements. Crock with J-inch crocks to the 

 depth of 1^ inch, and cover the crocks with a thin even layer 

 of the fibre from the loam, and then dust with a little fresh 

 soot to keep worms at bay. In plunging them in their 

 growing quarters, avoid crowding. Queens should not be 

 closer than 22 inches each way, and larger sorts 24 inches. 

 The bottom-heat should range from 80° to 85°, not higher. 

 Avoid shading much after shifting, unless the weather be 

 very bright, and then only shade for two hours in the middle 

 of the day. During cold March weather, 60° is heat sufficient 

 for a maximum at night ; when mild it may range to 65° till 

 10 P.M., but allow it to sink 5° before daylight. Give air in 

 moderate quantity for the first fourteen days after shifting; 

 afterwards increase it, as the plants begin to grow more freely. 

 Avoid in all pine-houses cold draughts as much as possible. 

 Vines. — ^Early crops that have finished the stoning process, 

 and that are required to ripen as early as possible, may be 

 encouraged forward more freely with an advance of tempera- 

 ture to 70° in mild weather ; but if cold east winds prevail, 

 and the days be sunless, it is better to force more gently, 

 taking advantage of bright suns to shut up early, and hus- 

 band heat for the night with the least possible amount of 

 fire-heat compatible with the temperature required. As soon 

 as colouring begins, give air a little more freely and decrease 

 the moisture. The increase and decrease of these elements 

 should never be sudden, but gradual. A small amount of air 

 left on at night is favourable to good colour. If the early 

 crop is from vines in pots, a constant watch must be kept to 

 prevent their suffering from either a deficiency or superabund- 



