AUGUST. 
191 
knowledge, never before been grown. For tbe 
last four years be has exhibited this variety 
in great perfection, but the bunches which he 
sent to the Royal Botanic and Horticultural 
shows last month outshone all he had pre¬ 
viously produced. The three bunches weighed 
13 lbs. 10 ozs., and the largest of them, which 
could not be less than 17 inches long, was 
5 lbs. 7 ozs. A second dish weighed 11 lbs. 
10 oz. The whole were beautifully coloured, 
even in berry, and the form of the bunches 
perfectly symmetrical. The Vine by which 
they were produced was grafted on the Fran- 
kenthal, which Mr. Hill finds to be the best of 
all stocks. 
Obituary. 
Mr. Daniel Ferguson, Curator of the 
Botanic Garden, at Belfast, died on the 5th 
of last month. He had held that post for 
twenty-eight years, and was much respected 
both in his private life and official capacity. 
He is succeeded by his son, Mr. W. Hooker 
Ferguson, who, in addition to the advantage 
of being under his father at Belfast, has had 
the advantage of having been a considerable 
while at Kew. 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS. 
STOVE. 
The shoots of plants intended for winter 
flowering should not be stopped after the 
beginning of the month. The plants should 
now he neatly tied and be placed in favour¬ 
able situations. Water freely all strong- grow¬ 
ing plants. Give abundance of air. Syringe 
plants not in flower, and sprinkle the path¬ 
ways well with water. 
CONSERVATORY. 
During hot bright weather these should be 
shaded, otherwise plants in flower will soon 
lose their beauty. The borders will now 
need liberal supplies of water, and plants not 
in flower should be syringed every evening. 
Climbers of all kinds will require attention in 
tying and training. See directions in former 
calendars. 
GREENHOUSE. 
Hardwooded Plants. —The greatest atten¬ 
tion should be paid to the watering of all 
greenhouse plants, while such hot drying 
weather prevails as we have experienced of 
late. The more delicate kinds, such as 
Boronias, Leschenaultias, &c., should always 
be kept in the houses and shaded in very hot 
weather. The wood of the strong-growing 
kinds, such as Eutaxias, Diosmas, Epacrises, 
Pimeleas, &c., out of doors, will have their 
wood well ripened. The young stock in pits 
will require constant attention; shift any that 
may require it; turn them round occasion¬ 
ally; and stop and train them at every oppor¬ 
tunity. Softwooded Plants. —These will re¬ 
quire very liberal supplies of water, and 
should be shaded in very hot weather, to pro¬ 
long their flo wering. Aza leas. —Encourage the 
growth of young plants by shading in bright 
hot weather, and by keeping them moist. All 
specimens out of doors will require constant 
attention, if the weather continues as hot as 
it has been the past month. As these will now 
he done growing, they should not have any 
more water given them than is absolutely 
necessary to keep them in a healthy state. 
Camellias. —This is the proper time to thin the 
flower-buds; this is a point of much conse¬ 
quence, and one which is very frequently 
little attended to. One bud to each shoot is 
sufficient. Finish shifting any not done last 
month. Syringe freely every evening in hot. 
weather. 
FORCING. 
Melons. —Withhold water from Melons that 
are ripening, and give them plenty of air and 
warmth. Water freely growing plants. Before 
closing the frames in the afternoon, sprinkle 
those plants upon which there is sufficient 
fruit set; it will refresh them and assist to 
keep the red spider under. Keep plants for 
late crops thin of shoots. Peach. —The lights 
should all be taken off for three or four weeks, 
in order that the hot, drying winds of August 
may pass freely among the trees, and by this 
means the wood will be well ripened. Pinery. 
—Little or no water should be given to plants 
that are ripening their fruit, but those that are 
swelling their fruit should have liberal supplies 
and occasionally a dose of liquid manure. 
Plants that have “shown fruit” should be 
put in a house by themselves, where the at¬ 
mosphere can be kept rather dry while they 
are in flower. Shift into their fruiting pots 
all kinds that require it; shift the young 
stock when it needs doing; they generally 
grow fast at this season of the year, when they 
have plenty of young roots, and have a nice 
moist warm atmosphere, and a good steady 
bottom heat. Give plenty of air during the 
month. Strawberry Plants^for forcing. —The 
potting of these should be finished without 
any delay. The great point to be attained is 
to get well-formed crowns before the short 
days come on. Give them gentle watering 
with a rose pot in the evening, when the 
weather is dry and hot. 
KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Persevere unceasingly in the destruction of 
weeds, and in the hoeing and stirring of tbe 
soil between the crops. Give Savoys, Broccoli, 
Brussels Sprouts, Celery, &c., frequent and 
liberal supplies of water. Earth up Savoys, 
Broccoli, &c. Attend to the earthing-up of the 
early crops of Celery. Plant out Endive and 
