94 
THE FLORIST. 
to previous directions in regard to temperature, &c. Water the inside 
borders of the early house, if the crop is set and swelling; thin the 
fruit, but be careful in leaving sufficient to allow for dropping during 
the process of stoning. Thin the shoots, and select those required for 
fruiting next year. Use the syringe freely, to keep the foliage in a 
healthy state. Towards the end of the month, as heat and light 
increases, the temperature may range a little higher, especially through 
the day in clear weather. Cherries require a moist atmosphere till 
they come into bloom ; therefore use the syringe to keep up the neces¬ 
sary moisture. When the trees are in flower the atmosphere should 
be less humid, abundance of air admitted, and a night temperature of 
about 60°, rising from 10° to 15° through the day during sunheat. 
Plums require similar treatment to the Peach, commencing with a low 
temperature and increasing it gradually by degrees. Give plenty of 
air when the trees are in bloom, and water freely at the root. These 
require more water than Cherries. Straioberries .—During the time 
the fruit is swelling, the plants should be liberally supplied with liquid 
manure, and be careful not to let them at any time suffer from drought; 
if so, it will greatly deteriorate the flavour of the fruit. Use the syringe, 
to check red spider, and give plenty of air to those in flower, and place 
more plants in late Vineries or pits, to succeed those in the forcing 
houses. Should the demand for this fruit be large and the stock of 
plants in pots limited, some strong young plants from the open ground 
may now be taken up with a ball of earth, potted, and placed under 
glass at once ; these, if taken up carefully and potted in rich light earth, 
usually produce a very good crop. Pines .—If the succession plants 
requiring a shift were not done the end of last month, they should now 
be potted, and in so doing use free porous turfy loam mixed with a 
little rotten manure ; do not press the soil too hard in the pots. Turn 
or renew the beds before the plants are replaced in the pits. Avoid 
strong bottom-heat, and keep the plants rather close till they begin to 
grow, when more air may be admitted- Keep a moist atmosphere to 
those where fire-heat is applied, and give the fruiting plants a soaking 
of water, as soon as the fruit spike is visible. All other plants that are 
dry will also require water. Pot suckers and attend to the linings of 
those in dung pits. Admit air according to the state of the weather. 
Vinery .—Now that we have more solar heat and light, the temperature 
in the succession houses may range higher, from 65° to 70° is a good 
average night temperature. Muscats require strong heat, with plenty 
of air, to ensure their setting properly. Keep a moist atmosphere in 
the early house till such time as the fruit begins to colour. Vines 
intended to be grown for fruiting in pots next season should now be 
started. See last month’s directions for other Vines in pots. Kitchen 
Carden .—If our previous directions for working the land have been 
attended to during the past favourable month of open weather, the soil 
will now be in good condition to receive the principal crops requiring to 
be sown during this month. Therefore choose the earliest opportunity 
to get in the principal crop of Parsnips, Leeks, Onions, and Early Horn 
Carrots. Make sowings of Peas, such as the Champion of England 
and Scimetar, and at the same time make the last sowing of Warwick 
