1874. ] 
GARDEN WORK FOR MAY. 
119 
by giving front and back air at the same time ; this is the principal cause of 
the plants at times assuming a brown and unhealthy appearance. Shift the 
succession plants as they may require it, and keep up a moist growing heat, 
ranging about 70° at night, and from that to 90° during sunshine. By all means 
avoid a burning bottom-heat; keep up a moist heat in the fruiting pit; syringe 
and close early in the afternoon. The night temperature should range from 75° 
to 80°, and that in the day-time from 80° to 90°. Give those plants that are 
intended for winter fruiting their final shift. 
Vines: Clear out all plants, such as Strawberries, French Beans, &c., from 
the vineries, otherwise red-spider may be troublesome on the Vines, Artificial 
heat should be still applied to all, except the late houses, so that the temperature 
does not fall below that previously maintained. When the fruit is perfectly ripe, 
the house should be kept cool, to prevent the fruit shrivelling. Keep the latest 
Vines retarded as much as possible (with the exception of Muscats) until they 
are showing their fruit, when the usual treatment must be given. Water inside 
borders copiously, and occasionally with liquid manure. Pot-Vines should have 
every assistance, by giving frequent waterings with manure-water, and mulching 
the surface of the pots with strong manure. Cut away all useless growth, and 
reduce the crop to reasonable limits. 
Peaches and Nectarines : Tie in the shoots, and expose the fruit in the early 
house as much as possible by cutting away all useless growth. Still continue to 
syringe the trees, watering at the root till the fruit is ripening, and giving air at 
all times. At this stage the temperature may be raised with safety. Attend to 
previous directions for later houses; use the syringe freely, keep down insects, and 
do not neglect watering the borders. 
Cherries : Reduce the moisture when the fruit begins to colour, at the same 
time the temperature may be increased, to hasten maturity. If growing in pots, 
the supply of water at the root must be continued when the crop is gathered ; 
the trees should then be removed to a shady situation, and well syringed. 
Strawberries : Introduce the last lot of plants under glass at the beginning of 
the month; these will keep up a supply of forced fruit till the middle of June, 
when in all probability the early kinds outside will be ripe. Towards the end of 
the month it will be as well to remove the pots to cooler quarters, such as a cold 
frame or under a canvas screen. 
Melons : Stop the shoots at every joint where there is a show for fruit, and 
cut away all useless growth. Give plenty of air while the fruit is setting, and a 
good soaking of water after it has set. 
Figs : Withhold liquid manure from any trees that are growing too rankly. 
Syringe frequently, except where the fruit is ripening, and do not allow any of 
the plants in pots to suffer at any time for want of water at the roots. 
Hardy Fruit : Up to the time we write the weather has been most favourable, 
and at present the prospect of a plentiful crop of hardy fruit is most cheering. 
Apricots alone seem to have suffered from the effect of frost, and that only in 
some localities. The disbudding of Peaches and Nectarines may now be com¬ 
menced ; remove at first a few of the strongest shoots from the vigorous branches, 
but all the foliage on the weaker members should be encouraged for the present, 
and at all times retain sufficient foliage to shade the main branches from the 
scorching sun. Green-fly will now perhaps be troublesome ; use a wash of 
tobacco, soft-soap, and sulphur ; 2 lbs. of each will make 25 gallons, which should 
be used with a syringe in the evening. Go over Apricot trees, and remove all 
strong shoots that are not required to fill space. Keep a sharp watch for cater¬ 
pillars—the curling of the leaf will indicate where they are ; go on thinning the 
