92 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ April, 
ing. This serves to induce them to start more regularly at the time wanted.— 
J. Webster, Gordon Castle. 
[We have this fine Oxalis in great profusion at the Chelsea Botanic Garden, 
planted besides a gravel walk, at the foot of the front wall of a plant stove, 
where it has been for years, and has spread amazingly, generally yielding two 
profuse crops of its brilliant rosy flowers annually.— Ed.] 
FRUIT CULTURE.—APRIL. 
HE pruning of fruit-trees should be completed ere this, as many kinds will 
now be in full flower. Grafting, if not finished last month, may be done 
in the early part of this. Newly-planted trees should be well watered in 
dry weather, and well mulched afterwards, if not already done. Pay 
particular attention to the protection of Peaches , Nectarines, and Apricots , whilst 
they are in bloom. Let the trees have full exposure on fine days, but be careful 
to cover them well up at nights. Attend to the timely thinning of the fruit 
after it is set. Towards the end of the month disbudding may be commenced, 
—but there should not be many removed at first. The young shoots of Peaches 
are very liable to the attacks of aphides, which should be destroyed on their first 
appearance, otherwise they will injure the new growth. Tobacco-water is an 
effective remedy; a slight syringing with it occasionally will keep the trees 
clear of them. Bun the hoe between the strawberry rows, to loosen the surface 
and destroy weeds. 
In-Doors. —Attend well to the watering of the Pine plants that are swelling 
their fruit, and give them some liquid manure occasionally ; tie the fruit to 
stakes to keep them upright. Remove the best successions into the fruiting 
house as fast as the fruit is cut. The succession plants shifted last month will 
now begin to root freely into the fresh soil, and to grow rapidly. Give air freely 
in fine weather, so that the plants may grow stiff and strong; water with care, 
and see that the bottom-heat does not rise too high. When the early Grapes 
begin to colour, the house should be kept drier, and air should be admitted 
abundantly in fine weather ; the night temperature may remain at 65°. Attend 
to the thinning of the berries in successional houses as soon as possible after 
they are set. Thin, stop, and tie down the shoots as they require it; give 
Grapes in all stages plenty of fire-heat, but be careful at the same time to give 
plenty of air. Let late Vines break naturally, but give them a little fire-heat as 
soon as they show bunches. The principal attention now required in the early 
Peach house is to tie down the shoots regularly, and to keep the foliage clean 
and healthy by frequent syringings. As soon as the “ stoning ” of the fruit is 
completed, gradually increase the temperature to about 65° by night, with a 
corresponding increase by day. Remove all the fruit not wanted for a crop ; 
water inside borders, and attend to disbudding in the succession houses. Keep 
Figs in tubs and pots well watered, and syringe copiously. Increase the tempera¬ 
ture as the season advances. Give air freely on fine days, and close up soon in 
