370 THE FLORIST AND 



Raspberries — require good culture to produce abundantly, prune out all 

 the old wood and thin out the present year's shoots to four or five of the 

 strongest canes, securing all neatly to stakes. An application of wood 

 ashes, and yard manure to the roots will be a means of improving the qual- 

 ity of the crops. It is a fruit well worthy all the care that superior culti- 

 vation can bestow on it. A somewhat sheltered situation, and deep, rich 

 soil, but not wet, is most suitable to them. 



Gooseberries— -In pruning these, keep the center of the bushes well 

 thinned out ; they fruit best on young wood, a proper supply of which 

 should be retained, but do not shorten them unless vigorous growth is de-' 

 sired. Black currants should be treated in a similar manner, thinning out- 

 the younger wood, and preserve a wide spread bush in the forn of a cup, by' 

 keeping the centre clear of spray. A deep, rich, and moist soil is favor- 

 able for their healthy growth. A few cuttings of the young wood soould be 

 stuck in some cool corner, to keep up a succession of young plants. 



Figs — will require protection; bend' them down, securing them with stout; 

 pegs, and cover them with leaves, evergreen boughs, &c, — they will stand 

 considerable frost, but in severe winters the yonng wood will be injured and 

 a crop destroyed. The winter of 1851-52 killed many large plants that had ; 

 stood unprotected for years. A dry, rather poor soil favors this crop. 



Grapes in houses should now be pruned and painted over with a mixture 1 

 <;f tobacco water and sulphur, mixed with clay to the consistency thin' 

 paint. This will eradicate all insects and their eggs that may find a lodge- 

 ment in the loose bark. Untie them from the rafters and lay them down in 

 a, horizontal position along the inside front of the house. They can be pro- 

 tected, if necessary, by a covering of straw, or leaves. The borders will 

 also be benefitted by a layer of coarse manure, spread it on its surface — 

 keep the house open and well ventilated, as lung as weather will permit. In 

 making new borders the most particular care must be taken in securing 

 eiFective drainage. Nothing is so opposed to successful grape culture as wet 

 soil. The chemical constitution of the soil may be regarded as only of 

 secondary importance — we have seen good grapes grown in what was con- 

 sidered very poor soil, but it was well drained. Trench the soil two feet 

 deep, incorporating four or five inches of good manure. Broken bones and 

 charcoal dust are valuable correctives of strong soils, and may be used freely 

 in such cases Make a good substantial border, not by burying carcases of 

 animals, but by draining and trenching a good free soil, the organic require- 

 ments can be added from time to time, as may be found necessary and Con- 

 venient. 



Fruits — are plentiful in their season, but how to have them early and. 

 keep them late should be a question with amateurs. The latter subject was 

 alluded to in last months calender. Many kinds of fruits may be had three 

 or four weeks in advance of their usual season of ripening by growing theih' 

 in pots and boxes, without entailing much trouble or expense. Peaches, 

 Nectarines, Cherries and Figs are easily forwarded in this manner. Com- 

 mence now with young plants, in suitable sized pots that will just admit the 

 roots, plunge them in the open air, and cover with rough litter or leaves, 

 to keep frost from cracking the pots. Early in spring they may be taken 

 into a cool green house, or cold grapery, due attention must be given in 

 syringing the tops, taking care not to overwater the roots until they com- 





