CALENDAR. 28 1 



set, they can be moved back into their warmer quarters. 

 After they are set, put successional lots of plants iato peach- 

 houses and vineries that are being started with fire -heat. 

 Green-fly and red-spider must never be allowed a footing. 



Melons. — Those planted last month will be growing freely 

 now. Train them carefully as they advance. "Water sparingly 

 at the roots, and supply only a moderate amount of moisture 

 to the air. The night temperature should not range more 

 than 70°. Give air on all favourable opportunities. To 

 grow melons in spring with a very high temperature, and 

 much moisture and little air, ruins them, by causing them to 

 make weak growths with thin sickly foliage. Plant out suc- 

 cession crops as previously directed, and sow more seed both 

 at the beginning and end of the month. 



Cucumbers. — ^Do not exceed 70° at night for the present. 

 Cucumbers require more moisture at the root and in the air 

 than melons, and soon suffer if they are allowed to become 

 dry at the root. If sudden bright sunshine succeeds a few 

 days of dull weather, they wiU flag, and should not be allowed 

 to do so ; and some thin material, such as tiffany, is best for 

 shading with under such circumstances. Stop the lateral 

 growths, and they wUl show fruit at every joint ; but do not 

 allow them to bear too freely when young. Sow and plant 

 for succession crops. 



APRIL. 



Pines. — Those that started into fruit in the early part of 

 winter will this month ripen and be found very useful when 

 other fruits are generally scarce. As soon as they have begun 

 to colour, give no more water at the root ; and if there hap- 

 pen to be a few plants considerably in advance of the rest, 

 it is best to remove them, if possible, to another compartment 

 where they can have more air and a dry atmosphere. As 

 April is generally a changeable month with cold nights, I do 



