50 



MAY — THIRD WEEK. 



bulbs firm, well nourished, and ripened in good time. 

 Free ventilation in favourable weather and a slight 

 shading in bright sunshine are also requisites for their 

 healthy growth. 



FORCING-HOUSES. 



» >> 



Cherries.— When the fruit is ripening, air to be given 

 freely, even to the drawing the lights off completely in 

 favourable weather. Fires may be discontinued alto- 

 gether, unless the nights are very cold. 



Figs. — Give them plenty of water in all their stages 

 of growth ; discontinue the use of the syringe during the 

 ripening process. They frequently require attention in 

 stopping all long young shoots. 



Melons. — If there is a sufficient depth of soil for the 

 plants, they will not require any large supplies of water 

 after the fruit is swelling off ; but it will be necessary to 

 sprinkle the plants overhead, and to shut up early every 

 fine afternoon with a good heat. Lay the fruit on a tile . 

 or piece of slate. 



Peaches. — When the fruit is swelling off, or beginning 

 to ripen, admit air freely in favourable weather, even to 

 the drawing off the lights entirely, so as to admit a free 

 circulation and the direct influence of the sun, by which 

 flavour and colour are best attained. Continue to stop 

 all very-luxuriant shoots, and thin out the young wood. 

 Some persons lay in plenty of young wood to select from 

 in winter pruning ; but fruit-bearing wood, regularly dis- 

 posed all over the tree, is best attained by the judicious 

 and successive thinning of useless shoots during their 

 growing season. Continue to tie in the shoots of the 

 late houses. 



Pineries. — When the repotting of the plants has 

 recently taken place it will be necessary to shade for 

 several hours, during bright sunshine, for a few days ; 

 but for the general stock shading should be dispensed 

 with as much as possible — as short, stiff leaves and sturdy 

 growth are best attained by judicious airings and hu- 

 midity. Do not water much at the root immediately 

 after repotting. Maintain a brisk bottom heat to the 

 succession plants. Admit plenty of air during favourable 

 weather. 



