CALENDAR. 273 



ture— 45^ during cold nights, increased to 55° when in bloom, 

 is sufficient, with 10° more by day with sun, and give air on 

 all favourable occasions to strengthen both wood and bloom 

 buds. 



Figs. — "Where early figs are grown in pots, now is a good 

 time to start them. They do best when plunged in a bed of 

 warm leaves, giving a bottom-heat of 75° to 80°. The tem- 

 perature of the air should be the same as that recommended 

 for peaches. Keep them regularly moist at the root, and 

 syringe them every fine afternoon, and otherwise keep the 

 atmosphere moist. Should any of the plants require larger 

 pots, shift them when put into heat. Those which have 

 been for a few years in large pots wUl be the better for being 

 turned out of them, and the crocks removed from among the 

 roots at the bottom ; the roots cut back sufficiently to aUow 

 of 3 inches fresh soU at the bottom of the pots, and top-dress 

 the ball with horse-droppings. 



Strawberries in Pots. — A number of these, according to 

 the demand and space, should be put into heat every fort- 

 night. Keep them near the glass, and begin with a tem- 

 perature of 45° to 50° at night, increasing it to 55° by the 

 time they show their trusses of bloom. Early-staited crops 

 now in bloom range from 55° to 60°, according to the weather. 

 Give them a liberal supply of fresh air, but avoid currents 

 of cold air passing over them. In all stages strawberries re- 

 quire to be kept moist at the root, but are best not placed in 

 saucers tiU the fruit are set. 



Cucumbers. — Those that have been bearing through the 

 winter require a night temperature of 65° to 70°, according as 

 the weather is cold or mUd. If in low pits in houses, cover 

 the glass at night in preference to hard firing. Give more or 

 less air daily, according to the state of the weather. Keep 

 the soil moderately moist, increasing the supply of water and 

 the moisture of the air as the days lengthen. Do not allow 

 the leaves and yoimg growths to become crowded, nor the 



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