GARDENING CALENDAR FOR MAY. 
227 
degrees by day, and 70 to 75 degrees at night. 
Water less as the fruit ripens ; do not water 
over the foliage ; always shut up early. When 
the fruit gives out a smell, leave a little air at 
night ; and when cracking around the shank, 
it is generally ready to be cut. The succession 
crops must be kept thin of vine ; two or three 
fruit is enough on each plant. It is safer to 
impregnate always. If the old plants are in 
a healthful state, cut them back after the fruit 
is gathered ; apply a little water and heat, and 
a good second crop will often be obtained : 
very little artificial heat is now required, if due 
advantage is taken of sun heat. 
Mushrooms. — Temperature, from 55 to 60 
degrees. This is a good time to make up 
fresh beds ; give air freely, and keep the house 
dark ; very little water will now suffice. 
3Iusas. — Temperature, 75 degrees at night, 
and from 80 to 90 degrees by day. When a 
considerable number of the fruits are well 
swollen, decrease the amount of water gra- 
dually, but at no time allow these, or any 
plants, to be so dry as to flag. 
Nectarines. — Temperature, 75 to 80 degrees 
by day, and 55 to 60 at night, as before. 
Finish the tying, &c, of the early house. 
Give more air as they begin to colour, and 
leave a portion also at night, when the fruit is 
nearly ripe : if red spider appears, slightly 
sulphur the flues when cold. 
Peaches. — Temperature, 75 to 80 degrees 
by day, and 55 to 60 at night. A thorough 
syringing should be given before they begin to 
colour. Give plenty of air, as with nectarines. 
In the later houses, continue to water, disbud, 
thin, and tie in. 
Pine apples. — Temperature, from 80 to 90 
degrees by day, and 70 degrees at night ; shut 
up with a sun heat of 95 degrees. Shade 
slightly the lately shifted plants in each de- 
partment, and aim by keeping up the moisture 
and warmth, with air, to have a " sturdy and 
quick growth." Withhold water from those 
which are ripening ; the suckers may remain 
on for a time, whether they are to be grown 
on the old or new system. Give a little air to 
all at night. 
Strawberries. — Temperature, 65 degrees by 
da} r , and 55 degrees at night : it is almost too 
warm to have these in a house where there is 
much artificial heat ; keep them near the heat 
recommended. « 
Vinery. — Temperature, 80 degrees by day, 
and from 60 to 65 degrees at night. Avoid 
currents of air, and sudden transitions, both as 
regards moisture, and in every other respect. 
The late houses must be kept warmest, and the 
atmosphere somewhat dry, a little before, at 
the time of, and after flowering and setting. 
Thin the branches and wood early, and by 
degrees : when tying, do not strain the shoot 
much at first, and never tie tight. Allow 
young vines when once stopped, to ramble 
awhile. 
FLOWER GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY. 
Sow a little of every thing worth keeping 
up a succession of, as hardy, and half-hardy 
annuals, biennials, and perennials. 
Plant and transplant all those raised in 
heat, after being hardened off*; also all the 
green-house and bedding-out plants. 
General directions. — This is a busy month, 
both physically and mentally. Plant out the 
tender and half-hardy bedding plants towards 
the end of the month, and let the most tender, 
such as dahlias, and heliotropes be put out 
last. In arranging them, the coloured plan 
studied and prepared in the winter months, 
will be found of great service. In planting out, 
attend to producing a contrast of colour, that 
is, place the most different colours together, 
or in contiguous beds. If the beds are of 
moderate size, it is best to fill them with one 
colour : or a very good effect is produced by 
introducing a belt of some distinct colour. 
Thus, for example, against or next to blue, 
(say salvias,) plant yellow, (such as calceola- 
rias) : next to crimson, (say verbena,) plant 
light blue, (as nemophila.) Where the figures 
are on gravel, surround or edge them with a 
cold colour, as blue, or even green ; when 
upon turf, surround them with a warm colour, 
as yellow or white. Give them all a soaking 
with water after planting, and it may be well 
to form a basin around a few of those turned 
out of pots. Finally, harden off all the store 
plants : finish propagating. Hoe the shrub- 
beries again ; those shrubs which have been 
lately transplanted, should be mulched again 
and watered. 
Alpines. — Keep the pots plunged nearly to 
the rim among coal ashes, in a cool shady place ; 
they then dry less rapidly, and do not so often 
suffer from drought as when more exposed ; 
have them regularly watered. Propagate any 
scarce kinds. 
American plants. — As soon as the flowers 
of any of these, such as rhododendrons or 
azaleas, are faded, have them all cut off", re- 
moving the whole of the seed-vessels, stalks 
and all. By this means, the energies of the 
plants, which would have been expended on the 
useless seed-vessels, go towards forming blos- 
som buds for another season. Of course, none 
of the leaves, nor any of the growing buds 
which push out just below the bunches of 
flowers, are to be taken away. 
Anemones when in bloom must be shaded ; 
and if the weather is dry, all the beds will re- 
quire water. As soon as the flowers are over, 
if the room is wanted for other plants, take 
them up carefully, and plant them in the re- 
serve garden. 
0, 2 
