240 
CALENDAR FOR OCTOBER. 
damage be done to them as possible. Also, where a great deal 
of pruning has to be done, the hardy sorts may be proceeded 
with at once, apples for instance. In shortening-in shoots, always 
cut close to an eye, with a smooth/ clean cut, slightly sloping; 
and, with large branches, saw close to the main stem or branch, 
smoothing the wound over the whole surface with the knife, and 
in particular leaving the bark at the edge of the wound smooth 
and even with the wood. In pruning apple or other trees which 
are very mossy, remove all the misplaced or stunted spray and 
branches, and then scrape the moss from the trunk and main 
branches as far as can be reached, washing them afterwards with 
a mixture of soot and lime water. But this will be found of very 
temporary service, unless the ground be well drained ; for it will 
generally be found, where moss abounds, that the soil is cold and 
wet. 
Forcing Garden. Maintain a free circulation of a dry atmo¬ 
sphere among the late grapes, by lighting small fires during the 
daytime, and giving air as freely as the state of the weather will 
permit; also remove the leaves as they show signs of decay. 
Replace the sashes on the early vinery so as to prevent the borders 
being saturated by the autumnal rains, allowing otherwise as free 
a circulation of air as possible. Get the sashes on to the early peach- 
house also, and loosen the trees ready for pruning and dressing; 
prepare, also, to fill up vacancies, or renew trees where necessary, 
by selecting proper plants, and having composts and other re¬ 
quisites at hand; the trees should be removed as soon as they 
are well clear of leaves. Cherries in pots, intended to be forced 
in this house should also be introduced, receiving only so much 
moisture as to prevent the buds from falling or the branches 
from shrivelling. A first batch of strawberries may be got into 
a pit or frame, where they should have as much air and as little 
water as possible. Keep the fruiting or full-grown pineapples at 
about 80°, with a less supply of water as the days shorten ; the 
succession plants should be rather cooler with more air and less 
water, but should on no account be checked entirely; in fine 
weather give light syringings overhead. Cucumbers for winter 
fruiting in houses should be kept gradually growing in a moist 
airy atmosphere of about 75—80°, being very careful of the use 
of water in dull weather. D. M. 
