1875. ] 
GARDEN WORK FOR JANUARY. 
11 
used at a temperature equal to that of the house ; thin the fruit; stop the shoots, 
and cut away all useless growth. Old Grapes hanging on the Vines must be 
looked over often, and all decayed berries cut out; give just enough fire-heat on 
cold nights to keep the frost out of the house, which must be well aired at all 
times. 
Peaches and Nectarines: Keep up a moist atmosphere in the early house till 
the trees come into bloom, when moisture should be withheld, and abundance of 
air admitted. If, however, the weather is adverse, so that air cannot be admitted 
with safety in sufficient quantity, recourse must be had to artificial means, by 
going over the blossoms and brushing them lightly with a small feather, which 
will greatly affect the setting of the fruit. A night-temperature of 55° at this 
stage is sufficient; even a few degrees lower is preferable to the use of much 
fire-heat. Fumigate with tobacco on the first appearance of green-fly. Follow 
on with the succession-houses, as before directed. 
Cherries: The earliest batch of trees should have been placed under glass 
last month ; these should now be top-dressed, the pots plunged in the borders of 
the house, and the plants have a little assistance if early fruit is desired. Syringe 
the trees. on fine mornings, and to begin with, let them have a moist night- 
temperature of 45° ; give air every fine day. 
Pines: Plants starting into fruit should be watered, and the temperature kept 
as before advised; moreover, if much fire-lieat be used, a moist atmosphere is 
requisite. Keep a steady heat of from 65° to 70° to all succession plants in 
dung-pits ; very little water, if any, will be required at present; give a little air at 
mid-day in mild weather, and guard against sudden changes by regulating the cover¬ 
ings at night, and by attending to the linings. Collect plenty of leaves if not 
already done, and keep them in store for use when required. 
Strawberries: Do not give these much water till the fruit-spike is visible, for 
in early forcing keeping the plants dry at first is the best means of securing a 
crop. The plants should be placed on shelves in an airy part of the house, near 
the glass ; or it is a very good plan to plunge the pots in leaves in pits or frames. 
Give plenty of air through the day, and a little through the ventilators at night, 
place more plants under glass for succession, and keep all plants intended for 
later work protected from drenching rains. 
Melons: Sow a little seed towards the end of the month for an early crop, 
and prepare materials for making-up beds to receive the plants as soon as they 
are ready. 
Hardy Fruits: In pruning Wall Pear-trees the aim should be to keep the 
spurs as close in as possible, otherwise the advantage of the wall will in a measure 
be lost; the spurs should be well thinned, and always cut back to the fruit-buds 
nearest the wall; if this is continued at each winter pruning, the fruit-spurs will 
be kept close and neat. Proceed with the pruning of all fruit-trees ; lifting and 
root-pruning may also be carried on, if not done in October. Prune Standard 
trees in favourable weather, and if moss or scale infest them, scrape or scrub the 
stems and large branches with a stiff broom, and afterwards dress them with a 
mixture of soft-soap, soot, and urine. Pay strict attention to the Fruit Store , 
and remove every decayed fruit; give air, if at all damp. This is a good time 
to wrap Apples in paper, and to place them in drawers or boxes for use in May 
and June. — J. Powell, Frogmore. 
VEGETABLES. 
It is but natural at this period to look back and question any former want 
of success, in order, if possible, to ascertain the source of failure. Seldom has 
so much and such varied experience been gained in such limited time as 
