CALENDAR. 293 



do not become too dry and crack. Attend carefully to the 

 growths of young growing trees, and tie them in their proper 

 places, avoiding crowding them. 



Figs. — "Where fruit are* ripening cease syringing, and give a 

 free circulation of warm dry air. Where the first crop is all 

 gathered, and the second advancing, see that the trees are well 

 fed. Give the border a mulching of rich manure, and water 

 copiously. The syringe must be used freely every fine after- 

 noon to prevent red -spider, except, of course, where fruit 

 are ripening. 



Melons. — Melons, especially those now swelling their fruit, 

 require much more water than is good for them when the 

 days are shorter, and the sun less powerful. But at the same 

 time avoid frequent driblets, and give a few thorough soak- 

 ings instead. Keep the surface of the soil fresh, and prevent 

 its cracking. A final watering should be given before the 

 fruit begins to ripen, putting a thin layer of mushroom-dung 

 over the surface of the bed. Remove all superfluous growths, 

 and slightly syringe the foliage on fine afternoons up tiU. the 

 time the fruit begins to ripen, then keep the house or pit 

 dry, give more air, and expose the fruit to the sun. Plant 

 out for a late crop about the middle of the month. Melons 

 may be planted later, and ripened late in autumn, but they 

 are seldom much worth, and it is not generally done. 



Cucumbers. — Water those in full bearing copiously with 

 manure-water. Eemove all old and tarnished fohage and 

 unproductive wood as fast as they can be replaced with 

 that which is young and healthy. Syringe regularly on fine 

 afternoons, and shut up with strong sun-heat, so as to do with 

 as little fire-heat as possible. In the south they do well at 

 this season in cold frames, but in Scotland they are precarious 

 and short-lived without more or less fire-heat. 



Straiolerries in Pots. — All should be in their fruiting-pots 

 by the middle of this month at the latest — earlier if possible. 

 Stand them where worms cannot molest them. Give them 

 plenty of room. Eemove all runners as they appear, and 

 see that they never sufi'er from want of water. Syringe or 



