CALENDAR. 299 



of light and air about all tlie foliage and wood. See last 

 month's directions regarding pot-vines. 



Peaches. — Give trees that are strong, and have their wood 

 not so solid and ripe as is desirable, fire-heat and a 

 circulation of air in order to ripen them. If any vestige of 

 red-spider remains or appears about them, give them a few 

 vigorous washings on fine afternoons with the engine. Late 

 crops in cool houses will now be ripening, and will require to 

 be carefully guarded from flies and wasps. Push aside all 

 leaves that in any way interfere with a full exposure of every 

 part to sun and air. 



Figs. — Encourage trees that are swelling off a crop with 

 waterings of liquid manure, and keep a circulation of air 

 about them as the fruit ripens. Give those from which the 

 crops are all gathered an occasional syringing, so as to keep 

 the foliage healthy until it has properly performed its func- 

 tions, and drops off naturally. Plants in pots from which all 

 fruit are gathered, maybe placed in any warm place outdoors 

 where they will get full sun, and be sheltered from high 

 winds, which would tarnish their leaves. 



Melons. — Keep fruit that have got to the ripening stage 

 dry, and well exposed to light and air. The night tempera- 

 ture should range about 70°. Be careful not to water crops 

 that are nearly fully swollen, or the chances are that they 

 will burst and be spoilt. The best way is to mulch the 

 surface of the soil with a little leaf -mould or rotten manure 

 to prevent the surface of the bed from becoming too dry, 

 and from cracking. Late crops that are swelling rapidly 

 should be kept warm, and now that the nights are longer 

 and cooler, should have fires put on to prevent the tempera- 

 ture from sinking below 70° to 75°, according to the state 

 of the weather. 



Cucumbers. — Plants raised from seed sown about the 

 middle of August will soon be ready to plant out. A light 

 moderately rich soil is best for winter cucumbers. Grow 

 them on with as much light and air as possible, in order to 

 get them strong and healthy before shorter and duller days 



