CALENDAR FOR THE FRUIT AND KITCHEN GARDENS. 
Cucumbers.—The plants raised from seed sown 
last month for winter bearing should be put 
into places where heat can be applied when 
necessary. Sow again at the middle of the 
month. Keep up the heat for those that are in 
bearing. 
Melons. —In this month the temperature 
naturally declines to a considerable extent; 
but fruit, as it approaches maturity, should 
have an increased rather than a diminished 
temperature; therefore more artificial heat 
must be given for this purpose. When the 
heat is well kept up, more air can be given 
than would otherwise be the case, and conse- 
quently the fruit will be better flavoured. 
Attend frequently to stopping laterals, so that 
there may be few to cut out at any one time. 
Water should be given whenever necessary, and 
in fine weather the foliage may be sprinkled 
in mornings with a fine rose. 
Pine- Apples.—The suckers advised to be 
potted last month will soon be ready to shift 
into fruiting-pots; use 10-inch ones for Queens, 
and 12-inch for strong growers, as Smooth 
Cayennes and others. Pot firmly in _half- 
decomposed lumpy, fibrous loam, and plunge 
the pots into a heated bed that will maintain 
80° to 90° constantly. At this season water 
the plants at once, and give no more until such 
time as they actually require it; examine every 
pot by hand before giving any more. These 
plants, under proper treatment, will fruit in 
succession to those started in March. Fruits 
that are swelling should have a high and rather 
moist temperature, with a bottom-heat of 80° 
to 90°; the top-heat for these may be 75° at 
night, and from 80° to 90° by day. If the tan 
has been taken away from the sides of the pots 
on account of too great heat, let it be replaced 
as soon as the temperature of the bed falls to 
84°. Gradually reduce the supply of moisture 
as the fruit approaches maturity. Give manure- 
water to succession plants. Syringe with water 
of the temperature of 80°. A little air should 
be given in the morning, but the house should 
be shut up early in the afternoon. 
Vines.—The wood in the earliest vinery 
ought now to be thoroughly matured. The 
house should be thrown open night and day, 
in order to keep the temperature low. Vege- 
tation being thus rendered inactive, the vines 
should be pruned about the end of October. 
In doing this, according to the spur method, 
any of them that are too long should be cut 
nearly close to the branch from which they 
proceed. It should be borne in mind that 
5D3 
these vines will be forced into growth at a 
very unnatural season. It will therefore be 
wise not to prune them in too closely, but 
rather leave two or three eyes on every spur- 
shoot, and more on the terminals or other 
young rods. In vineries where the Grapes 
have only just been gathered, and the foliage 
is not yet decayed, attention must be paid to 
the ripening of the wood by admitting plenty 
of air and sun; and a little fire-heat will be 
necessary when the weather is dull, air being 
given at the same time. When the fruit is 
commencing to colour in the latest house, 
plenty of air must be given during the day, 
and a moderate quantity at night. This free 
circulation of air will require fire-heat at night, 
and occasionally a little through the day. 
Remove superfluous shoots and laterals, and 
syringe the foliage, so as to keep it always 
clean and healthy. Vines in pots may now be 
started. 
figs.—Attend to former directions as regards 
a regular and plentiful supply of water, and if 
the plants are not over-vigorous, manure-water 
may be given to those on which the fruit is 
swelling. As the fruit ripens, the supply of 
water must be reduced. 
Peaches and Nectarines.—When the leaves 
begin to lose their hold, take a fine-twigged 
broom, and draw it lightly in a direction from 
the base to the extremities of the shoots, so as 
not to injure the buds. Repeat this operation 
at intervals, till the whole are removed. Let 
all the leaves be picked up from the floor of 
the house after each brooming. Expose the 
trees to sun and air. The house should be 
cleaned and painted if necessary, and likewise 
the sashes. 
OCTOBER. 
KITCHEN-GARDEN DEPARTMENT. 
Prepare vacant ground for future crops. 
Remove all fallen and decaying leaves, and 
continue to hoe, weed, and stir the ground 
occupied by crops. Dress the herb borders. 
Draw earth to the stems of the Cabbage tribe. 
Beet.—Take up and store in a place some- 
what damp, where they will be safe from severe 
frost. 
Cabbage.—Finish planting out for spring use, 
and for Coleworts. 
Cardoons.—Continue to band and earth up 
for blanching. 
