274 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



plants to bear too much fruit at one time. Sow seed for 

 succession crops in a temperature of 70°. 



Melons. — Sow for early crops in the way recommended. 



FEBRUARY. 



Pines. — Every gardener who has to keep up an unbroken 

 succession of ripe pines knows how desirable it is to atten- 

 tively care for all pines that show fruit from October onwards 

 throughout the winter months. All such stock may now be 

 pushed on at an accelerated pace as the days lengthen and 

 the sun gains in power. The temperature at night should 

 range from 70° to 75°, according to the state of the weather, 

 and by day with sun-heat from 80° to 85° before giving air. 

 Shut up early in the afternoon ; and where all are out of 

 bloom, moisture should be increased in the same ratio as heat. 

 The bottom-heat for these should be at a maximum, namely, 

 85° to 90°. The state of the soil must be carefully watched, 

 and water given to keep it in a medium state of moisture, 

 •voiding mealy dryness on the one hand and wetness on the 

 other. Do not exceed a temperature of 70° at night in the 

 case of those intended to start in the course of this month, 

 unless it be in very mild weather, when a few degrees more 

 is safe enough without hard firing. Do not be over-liberal 

 with water tiU the fruit shows itself. Look over them occa- 

 sionally and examine their centres ; and when the fruit can 

 be discerned emerging from amongst the leaves, see that the 

 plants so started have suflBcient weak guano-water given to 

 moisten the soil through and through. Supposing the early 

 batch to have shown fruit by the end of the month, increase 

 the heat a few degrees. Let it range to 75° on mUd nights. 

 Do not much increase the air moisture tiU they are out of 

 flower, and give air a few hours a-day as weather will permit. 

 Examine succession plants in small pots, and see that they do 



