3D2. FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



earliest of these may be started towards the middle or end of 

 the month ; and if they can be plunged in bottom-heat, they 

 ■will start into growth sooner. If they have been cut or 

 pruned in any way, dress the wounds twice over with styptic, 

 or they will be apt to bleed. Put a few more into heat than 

 are required for the space, in case any of them fail to show 

 weU. It is useless to start thus early with any but early 

 and well-ripened vines, and they require to have a higher 

 temperature to excite them than two months hence — 55° at 

 night wUl be necessary. 



Peaches. — Where new borders and fresh plantations of 

 trees are contemplated, this is an excellent time to transplant 

 the trees, just as they are beginning to shed their leaves. 

 Trees planted a season or two ago, and that have grown too 

 grossly, may now be carefully lifted and replanted. Keep 

 trees that are well ripened well aired and cool ; but where 

 the wood is rather green, a little fire-heat wiU much assist 

 their ripening. 



Melons. — Late crops will now require more assistance from 

 fire-heat. The night temperature should not be less than 

 70°, and when ripening, warmth and dryness are indispens- 

 able to anything like good flavour. Melons can now be kept 

 longer, after being ripe, in the fruit-room than in warmer 

 weather. 



Cucumbers. — Keep up a genial growing atmosphere, not 

 allowing the temperature to sink much below 70° at night. 

 Give air in the early part of the day, and shut up early with 

 sun-heat. Lessen the moisture in the soU and atmosphere 

 as the season becomes more dull and sunless ; but where the 

 roots are near the hot pipes, see that over-dryness of soil is 

 not allowed. Stop them at every joint, and do not allow 

 them to become over-crowded, which produces a thin weakly 

 foliage, which is much more apt to damp off as the weather 

 becomes more damp and sunless. Do not allow them to 

 bear too much fruit at one time. 



Figs. — Generally speaking, all figs are gathered by the 

 middle of this month, and the trees may be kept drier at the 



