FEBRUARY— THIRD WEEK. 



23 



all the dwarf Maxillarias and Oncidiums, and all the 

 Schombergias. 



FORCING-HOUSES. 



Cucumbers. — Attend to the thinning and stopping, 

 and impregnate the fruit blossom when open. 



Figs. — Care to be taken that cold currents and sudden 

 changes of air are excluded from the trees. The roots 

 to be well supplied with water, and the trees to be occa- 

 sionally syringed overhead. 



Peaches. — When set, thin the fruit and shoots as 

 required ; to be done gradually, a little at one time, to 

 prevent any sudden and injurious change in the system 

 of the tree. A liberal supply of moisture to be kept up, 

 with a temperature ranging from 55° to 65° and 70 3 by 

 sunheat. A drier atmosphere is advised for trees in 

 bloom ; the bloom to be thinned if the trees are weak ; 

 and if shy setters, to be artificially impregnated, using 

 a camel-hair pencil for that purpose. 



Pines. — Be watchful about the bottom heat, and lose 

 no time in raising the pots nearer to the surface if an 

 approach to a burning temperature is apprehended. To 

 be thoroughly watered when they require it, and to be 

 syringed overhead in the morning and evening of every 

 clear day unless the plants are in bloom, or ripening 

 their fruit. Any crowns, suckers, or small plants 

 not well established will do well in a pit or frame 

 on a bed of leaves, or well sweetened dung, where 

 they will make a rapid and vigorous growth during the 

 summer. 



Vines. — Attend to last week's instructions as to stop- 

 ping all laterals, &c, and thinning the bunches in good 

 time ; and tie up all the principal shoulders with soft 

 strands of matting. Never allow the head or hand to 

 touch the berries. Give them plenty of air-moisture 

 during their swelling season ; to be discontinued when they 

 begin to colour. Shy-setting sorts — such as the Black 

 Damascus, Cannon Sail Muscat, &c. — will set better by 

 thinning the blossom-buds before expansion, by which 

 a more regular and compact bunch will be produced. 

 Late Vines should be pruned and dressed ; and if not 

 frosty the lights to be removed, which will retard their 

 breaking, and benefit the tress. 



