370 



DICTIONARY OF SEASONABLE GARDEN WORK. 



Grapes Under Glass. — Early vines that have ripen- 

 ed their fruit must be carefully brought to a resting 

 condition, by gradually withholding water and exposing 

 the wood to the sun and air, day and night. In the cold 

 grapery, while the vines are in flower, the temperature 

 may be as high as 85° or go'' at midday. Water should 

 be given sparingly just now. Give the clusters each a 

 gentle shake when in blossom, to aid in the distribu- 

 tion of pollen. Thin the fruit when berries are of the 

 size of peas. One bunch of fruit is enough to leave 

 upon each cane. Tie up the shoots as the weight of 

 fruit increases. 



Gooseberries. — The English sorts, if planted in parts 

 of the garden where the soil is always cool, thrive near- 

 ly as well as in the Old World, Where there is not a 

 particularly shady piece of ground, the surface of the 

 ground underneath the gooseberry tree may be covered 

 with old corn-stalks, or litter of any kind, to keep the 

 rays, of the sun from warming the ground. Under 

 these circumstances the English gooseberry often escapes 

 mildew. Even the placing of stones underneath the 

 bushes has been found very effective in some instances. 

 Spraying with a solution of sulphide of potassium, at 

 the rate of Vz oz. to a gallon of water, has proved ef- 

 fective in preventing mildew. The pruning of the 

 gooseberry is a matter of some consequence. Thin, 

 weak shoots should be trimmed out, leaving only the 

 stronger ones. 



Horse-radish. — Plant sets for main crop. 



Insects. — All leaf -eating caterpillars on trees and 

 bushes can be destroyed by means of spraying with 

 arsenical solutions. Borers should be cut or probed out 

 wherever they are found. Curculios begin to be trouble- 

 some this month. Jar the trees, and gather the insects 

 on sheets previously spread under the branches. Plant- 

 lice are easily destroyed by spraying with kerosene em- 

 ulsion, tobacco-tea, or solutions of potash salts. The 

 red spider often finds lodgement in vineries, and does 

 much mischief before it is observed. Paint the heating- 

 pipes with a mixture of sulphur and skim-milk, and in 

 the evening, when the house is closed, take clean soft 

 water and a syringe and sprinkle the pipes for about fif- 

 teen minutes, thoroughly steaming the house. This will 



also dispose of the thrips. For the potato-beetle and 

 slugs, which are especially fond of egg-plant, use Paris 

 green in plaster, air-slaked lime or water. Dry, un- 

 leached wood-ashes, sifted over the plants when wet 

 with dew, is also a good remedy. 



Lettuce. — Sow for succession where it is to grow, and 

 thin. 



Melons. — Treat as directed for cucumbers. 



Peas sown after this time seldom succeed. Clear the 

 ground as soon as the crop of early-planted ones is har- 

 vested, and plant late cabbage, celery, turnips, etc. 



Pepper. — Treat as directed for egg-plant. 



Pineapples require an abundance of moisture in the 

 atmosphere to prevent exhaustion during the hot weather 

 that now prevails. Close the house early, syringe and 

 water the floor freely several times a day. 



Radishes. — Sow the summer varieties for succession 

 every week or two. 



Raspberries. — Treat as advised for blackberries. 



Spinage. — Sow for succession. 



Squashes. — Plant the bush sorts in hills 4 feet apart 

 each way, the winter sorts 10 or 12 feet apart each way, 

 according to richness of soil. Give plenty of manure, 

 and thorough cultivation. The space between the hills 

 can be devoted to radishes, lettuce or other quick-grow- 

 ing crops that will be out of the way by the time the 

 squash-vines will need the space. 



StrazL'berrics. — On new beds all flower-stalks should 

 be removed, to save all the strength of plants for their 

 own development. Also keep runners off for some weeks. 

 Pull up, or hoe out any stray weeds appearing in the 

 patch. Mulching around the plants before the fruiting 

 season is a commendable practice. It keeps the ground 

 cool and moist and the fruit clean. 



Thinning of garden crops, such as beets, carrots, 

 onions, lettuce, parsnips, etc, , should be done as early 

 as practicable. The removal of surplus plants is just 

 as necessary as the removal of weeds. Tree-fruits 

 should also be thinned out severely. 



Tomatoes. — Plant at once for main crop. Give 

 plenty of space, especially on rich soil. Cultivate and 

 hoe freely. 



