CALENDAR FOR THE FRUIT AND KITCHEN 
Favourite, or any other early dwarf kind, in 
pots, for succession. Pinch the top shoots to 
make the plants branch, and water copiously 
whenever necessary with weak manure-water. 
In order to keep down red spider, syringe fre- 
quently with water a few degrees below the 
temperature of the house or pit, the air of 
which should be in a saturated state at the 
time; a deposition of moisture destructive to 
the insects will thus be made over the whole 
surface of the plants. 
Lettuce.—Plant a succession on the beds from 
which the crop has been cleared; too much heat 
must not be given, between 55° and 60° being 
sufficient. Sow on a slight hot-bed for a later 
crop. | 
Mint.—Continue to force in succession as may 
be found necessary for ordinary requirements ; 
plant the roots, not too thickly, in boxes 6 inches 
deep. 
Mushrooms.— Means should be taken to bring 
the heat of beds, previously made, to about 60°, 
and they may then be spawned. 
Onions.—Sow in very gentle heat for trans- 
planting. 
Peus.—Those raised in heat must now be 
hardened, and merely protected from frost and 
cutting winds. 
Potatoes.—Those forwarded in pots, as directed 
last month, may be planted out on a gentle hot- 
bed. Some may be transplanted into larger 
pots. 
ftadishes.—Sow in gentle heat. 
Fhubarb.—Place roots in soil in a forcing- 
house or pit, and put a large flower-pot over 
them. 
Sea-Kale.—Take up roots of a year’s growth 
from the open ground, and plant in a pit kept 
completely dark, or pot and force them in a 
Mushroom-house. 
Tomatoes.—Sow seeds in 3-inch pots. 
Marjoram.—Sow in pans for planting out. 
Sage.—Sow in pots for planting in beds out- 
of-doors. 
Cucumbers.—The soil for these should consist 
of two parts of light, turfy loam, and one of 
decomposed manure or leaf-mould. Seedling 
plants should be placed near the glass to keep 
them sturdy, and be potted as soon as the seed- 
leaves are well developed, and repotted again 
and again, until the soil bed is ready for them. 
When the roots appear on the surface of the 
bed, add 2 inches of warmed fresh material 
to cover and invigorate them, proceed with 
stopping and training, as required, set the fruit 
in the ordinary way, and cut it as socn as fit 
GARDENS. 537 
for use, and maintain plenty of moisture about 
the plants. 
Melons.—Sow for a successional crop. When 
the plants have run a good distance up the 
trellis stop them, and the laterals at the second 
leaf. On these plants the first batch of flowers 
should be set, and remain for the crop. Main- 
tain 70° by night, 75° to 80° by day, and 85° or 
90° by solar-heat, with ventilation. 
Pine- Apple.—Prepare soil and keep it in a 
sufficiently dry condition for potting. Tan 
and leaves should be at hand in sufficient quan- 
tity for a general shift at the end of this or 
beginning of next month. The bottom - heat 
may be a little higher than last month, but 
should not be allowed to get lower. A bottom- 
heat of 80° will be good for fruiting plants. 
Encourage plants expected to show fruit shortly 
by maintaining growing conditions. Moderate 
syringing will be necessary. 
Vines.—Those about to be started may have 
a somewhat higher temperature than was re- 
commended for plants started last month. In 
other respects the previous directions will be 
applicable. With respect to the more advanced, 
stop and thin the shoots and keep them regu- 
larly tied. Those not wanted should be rubbed 
off early, one shoot from each spur being left, 
which should have ample room to develop a 
good growth. Continue to thin bunches where 
necessary, and the berries. likewise whilst they 
are very young. Keep a moist atmosphere, ex- 
cept when the vines are in flower. 
Figs.—These will require attention in respect 
to water. The terminal buds should be allowed 
to develop to the required length, but stop 
other lateral growths a few points above the 
break. The temperature may now be from 
55° to 60° by night, and 65° to 70° by day, and 
75° to 85° by sun-heat. 
Peaches and Nectarines.—Give continued atten- 
tion to disbudding and stopping ; strong growths 
will need it repeatedly, in order to reduce the 
vigour and equalize the flow of sap. If green- 
fly appears, fumigate at once. The leaves of 
the trees should be dry when this operation is 
done. 
Cherries.—Guard against too high a tempera- 
ture; 40° is sufficient at night, and 55° to 60° 
by day. Give a little top and side air until 
the house is closed at 55°. If the trees were 
properly watered at starting, more will not be 
necessary until growth has advanced consider- 
ably. 
Strawberries. — Introduce a succession as the 
plants that have borne their crop are removed. 
