560 
be deferred until the end of February. Plants 
that are swelling fruit should have water in 
proportion to the demand which a high tem- 
pérature will occasion. Syringe, and shut up 
with a hot, moist atmosphere. 
Vines.—The temperature of the house started 
last month should be kept gradually on the 
increase—65° to 70° by day, and from 55° to 
60° by night. Fire-heat will be required, 
especially at night. The pipes, if not over- 
heated, and pathways, must be frequently 
sprinkled to produce a moist atmosphere, and 
the stems should be syringed with water of the 
same temperature as the air of the house twice 
daily. If the Vines have been planted outside, 
take care that the exposed portion of the stem 
is well protected from cold, put dung should 
not be allowed to come in contact with it, 
and whilst care is taken to protect the outside 
portion, that which is inside must also be 
protected from the heat from the pipes over 
which it may be situated. A screen of some 
material that is a slow conductor of heat should 
therefore be placed between it and the pipes. 
Very little air will be required till the buds | 
begin to break, but it must then be given at 
every favourable opportunity; and if any of 
the canes have been bent down, with the view 
of inducing them to break near the bottom, 
they must be put on the trellis directly the 
object for which they were bent is accom- | 
plished. As soon as fruitful growths are plainly 
visible, rub all off except the most promising 
one; this should be stopped at the second leaf 
above the bunch. 
.Figs.—A few plants in pots may be plunged 
in moderate bottom-heat, say 55°, or they may 
THE GARDENER’S ASSISTANT. 
be placed on fermenting materials if such have 
been introduced on the floor of the early 
vinery. The plants to be thus forwarded at: 
this season need not be large; for the Fig can 
be fruited although kept in small compass, pro- 
vided the extent of foliage has been kept in 
such limited proportion as to correspond with 
the space allowed for its roots, and when 
growth commences a place near the glass is 
indispensable to ensure success. 
Peaches and Nectarines.—The temperature of 
the earliest house should be kept so as to in- 
duce a gradually progressive vegetation in the 
trees; for these will not bear to be rapidly 
forced in the early stage of the process. The 
temperature at night should be 50°, and from 
55° to 60° during the day, and it may be al- 
lowed to rise to 65° or 70° by the influence of 
sun-heat; but abundance of air must be given. 
Sprinkle the trees with tepid water mornings 
and afternoons, and continue this till the flower- 
buds begin to open, when it should be con- 
tinued in a moderate way on fine sunny days; 
also take advantage of fine dry days to impreg- 
nate the blossoms which are open and fit for 
the operation. 
Cherries.—The trees should be taken in and 
the house shut up, but the temperature must 
be kept very moderate. About 40° at night 
will be sufficient in the first instance, and 55° 
by day or 60° by sun-heat, plenty of air being 
then admitted. Cherry-trees in pots do better 
without bottom-heat. 
Strawberries.— Protect the pots from frost. 
Some plants may be introduced into the Peach- 
| house or other suitable place. 
[G. T. M.] 
