MAY — FIRST WEEK. 



51 



pruning in any straggling shoots, and propagate as advised 

 last week, Keep them close, and syringe frequently, 

 when they will soon commence growing. Keep them 

 some distance apart, to allow their fine foliage to expand. 

 The following are good sorts : — Prestoniensis, Cinna- 

 barina, Fuchsioides, Martiana, Zebrina, Barkeri, Rubra, 

 and Argyrostigma. 



G-loxinias. — Hepot where necessary. 



Succulents. — Opuntias, Melocacti, and Epiphyllum, 

 to be excited into vigorous growth by intense light and 

 abundance of heat and moisture. 



Ckeebies. — Temperature 65° to 70° by day and 50° at 



Figs.— Stop and thin the shoots. Keep a damp atmo- 

 sphere, and use the syringe over the foliage, when the 

 house, or pit, is shut up in the afternoon, to keep down 

 red spider. "When the fruit is ripening, the syringe must 

 be dispensed with, and the atmosphere kept drier ; but, 

 as there is generally a succession of fruit on the trees, 

 water must not be wholly withheld at the time of the 

 first crop ripening, as it would endanger the succeeding 

 one ; but it may be given more sparingly. 



Melons. — Stop and keep the shoots very thin. When 

 the crop is safely set, give the soil a good soaking of 

 clear, tepid manure water. Let swelling fruit be exposed 

 as much as possible to the light. 



Peaches. — Continue to stop all gross shoots, which 

 will both increase the size of the fruit and the smaller 

 shoots at the bottom of the tree. The syringe, when 

 used frequently, is useful for the same purpose, and to 

 keep down insects. Air and light to be admitted, to give 

 flavour and colouring to the ripening fruit. 



Pines. — The fruiting plants now swelling, and in pots, 

 may be treated with a little clear liquid manure. Guano 

 water, or soot water, or both combined, will produce a 

 perceptible improyement in foliage and growth, with the 

 caii-ion that it be given in a warm, clear state, and not 

 too strong. Ply the syringe freely on warm afternoons, 

 and close up with a temperature of 85° or 90° ; giving air 



EOECING-HOUSE. 



