1S75. ] 
GARDEN WORK FOR MAY. 
107 
blooming soft-wooded plants will require frequent sliifts, and should be kept 
growing, and near to the glass. Chrysanthemums must be potted on before they 
become pot-bound ; they delight in a liberal diet. Give attention to the pricking- 
off and potting-on of Cinerarias , Balsams , Celosias , &c., keeping them close and 
shaded until they are re-established. 
Bedding Plants: The majority of these will now be placed under temporary 
protection to harden, previous to being planted out. Alternantheras, Coleuses , and 
Tender Annuals -which are growing in pits should have an abundance of air, to 
prevent them from being drawn up.— Geo. Westland, Witley Court. 
FRUITS. 
Pines: Shift succession-plants as they may require it; maintain a moist 
growing temperature of about 70°, that may rise to 85° or 90° through the day 
in bright weather ; avoid a burning bottom-heat. , Air freely in good weather, 
from the back of the pit only, for, as previously stated, a draught through the 
pit will soon cause the plants to assume a brown and unhealthy appearance. All 
plants intended for winter fruiting should now have their final shift. Keep up a 
moist heat in the fruiting-house, and let the temperature range from 75° to 80°, 
with an increase of 10° by sun-heat; syringe in the afternoon, and close the 
house early; give liquid manure occasionally to all plants in free growth, as well 
as those in fruit. 
Peaches and Nectarines: After the fruit is stoned , and the second swelling 
7 O 
commences, the temperature may be raised with safety. Give plenty of water to 
the inside borders, and continue to syringe the trees up to the time the fruit is 
ripening; tie in the shoots, so as to expose the fruit as much as possible to the 
sun, and give plenty of air in bright weather. Attend to previous directions for 
those not so far advanced. 
Cherries : As soon as the fruit begins to colour the temperature should be in¬ 
creased, in order to hasten its ripening ; give plenty of water at the root, but keep 
up a less humid atmosphere, as all the Bigarreau class of Cherries are very apt 
to split if too much moisture is kept up at the time the fruit is approaching 
maturity. When the crop of fruit is gathered, remove the trees, and place them 
for a time in a sheltered situation. Keep them well syringed and watered for a 
week or two, after which time they can be taken out of the pots, and planted 
out in the open ground. 
Vines : Clear out from the vineries all such plants as French Beans and 
Strawberries , otherwise red-spider may become troublesome on the Vines. Still 
apply fire-heat to all, except the late houses, so that the temperature does not 
fall below that hitherto maintained, and so continue till the fruit is perfectly 
ripe, after which time the house can be kept cool and airy. Keep the latest 
Vines retarded as much as possible, till they show for fruit, when the usual 
treatment must be given them. Keep the lateral shoots stopped, and the bunches 
thinned in the succession-house, and syringe and close the houses early in the 
afternoon. Attend to Vines in pots , and see that those in fruit do not at any 
time suffer from drought. Mulch the surface of the pots with cow or sheep- 
droppings, and give frequent waterings with diluted liquid manure; remove 
laterals from the young plants, as well as from those in fruit. 
Strawberries: Give plenty of air and water to those in bearing, and place 
the last lot of plants in cold frames. This must be done at once, to keep up a 
supply of fruit till such time as they are ripe in the open ground. 
Melons: Thin and stop the shoots so that the foliage may have full exposure 
to air and light. When a sufficient quantity of fruit is set, place glass or tiles 
