JULY. 
223 
of the trees. Young Apricot and Peach trees that are making a 
vigorous growth should be stopped, to induce them to make shoots of a 
fruitful character. Keep the shoots free from fly and closely nailed to 
the wall, so that the wood may be well ripened. Thin and stop the 
shoots of Figs as soon as they have made a growth of about six inches. 
If the weather sets in hot and dry, Strawberries (where the fruit is 
ripening) will require frequent waterings. Tie up the heavy fruit as 
before advised, and place nets over the beds, to protect the whole from 
birds; it will also be very beneficial in partially shading the plants. 
Layer runners for new plantations, also for forcing; cut away all spare 
runners, and keep the beds free from weeds. Orchard houses will 
now require plenty of air, and a little through the night in hot weather 
would be beneficial. Assist the trees occasionally with liquid manure 
during the time the fruit is swelling, and at no time should they suffer 
from drought. Syringe in the evening after a bright day. Forcing 
Ground .—Attend to last month’s directions. Plant out the last crop 
of Melons early in the month, and sow Cucumbers for the late crop. 
If the weather sets in shady and cold, the linings of Cucumber and 
Melon beds should be attended to. Peaches and Nectarines .—Go 
over the trees as soon as the crop is gathered, and cut aw^ay all useless 
shoots, such as are not required for fruiting next season or for filling up 
vacant places ; when this is done, give the trees a good syringing with 
the garden engine, and if the borders are dry, and the trees are w^eakly, 
a good soaking of manure water would greatly assist them for another 
season. Give air night and day ; and if the weather is warm, the 
sashes may be removed altogether about the end of the month, which 
will assist in ripening the wood. Expose the fruit in the succession 
house as much as possible to air and light as soon as it begins to 
ripen, for the purpose of giving better colour and flavour. Keep 
the atmosphere dry and a little warmer through the day, with air at 
all times in favourable weather. Water the borders if dry. Pines .— 
Shift succession plants as soon as the pots are filled with roots; do not 
reduce the ball, merely remove the drainage, and, in potting, use free 
turfy loam, with a mixture of rotten manure—do not press the soil too 
firmly in the pots. All plants intended for fruiting early next season 
should now^ be shifted into their fruiting pots, otherwise plant them out 
on ridges, which is an excellent plan where there is the convenience to 
do so. Water freely, and keep a moist heat in the fruiting pit, and 
air according to the state of the weather; avoid shading, and do not 
admit front and back air at the same time, to cause a draught through 
the pit. When the succession plants are growing in tan beds, care 
should be taken that the heat is not too violent, otherwise it may 
greatly injure the young roots, from the effect of which they would not 
soon recover. Yinery .—In the late houses, where the fruit is swelling, 
a moist growing heat should be maintained. Use fire-heat in chilly 
weather to these as well as late Muscats. Air freely in the early part of 
the day, but syringe and close as soon as the sun is off the house in the 
afternoon. Tie in the shoots and thin the berries as they may require 
it. Ripe Grapes should be kept cool by admitting plenty of air ; and 
as soon as the crop is cleared syringe the Vines and allow the lateral 
