158 THE FLORIST. 
that Allamandas, and such things as require free exposure to light, to 
induce them to bloom freely, may be exposed to all but the mid-day 
sun. Attend frequently to regulating the growth of Dipladenias, &c., 
so as to prevent the young growths getting too much entangled. Keep 
everything perfectly free from insects, and do not allow young specimens 
to suffer through the want of pot room. Ixoras which have made 
sufficient growth, and do not seem inclined to set for bloom, should be 
kept very dry at the root for a fortnight or so, giving only enough water 
to prevent flagging ; and see that plants of those showing for bloom are 
not infested by aphis, as smoking, after the heads are in a forward state, 
often causes the blooms to drop. Attend to repotting and tying out 
young stock, stopping and regulating the growth as may be requisite, to 
secure well filled-up handsome specimens. 
Hardy Fruit—This spring being the latest known for many years 
past, the prospect of an abundance of fruit in this department is very 
promising, more especially as all standard fruit trees are in fine 
condition for bearing, owing principally to the failure of last season. 
Apricots will now require thinning, but, at the first, double the quantity 
intended to remain should be left on the trees, for if hot weather sets 
in during the process of stoning, a number of fruit will drop ; therefore, 
it is better to make the final thinning after that time. The young fruit 
makes good tarts, and is also excellent when preserved with sugar. The 
caterpillars at this time are often very destructive to the young leaves _ 
and fruit ; if any make their appearance, which the curling of the leaf 
will indicate, they should be diligently sought for; and the only way 
to extirpate them is, to unfold the leaves and kill them. Remove all 
strong shoots that can be spared. Peaches and Nectarines will now 
require attention. Go over the trees, and remove all strong shoots 
that can be spared from the vigorous branches, but disbud sparingly 
on the weaker members. Rather encourage all the foliage on the weak 
branches, which will tend to equalise the flow of sap throughout the 
tree. Destroy green-fly at its first appearance ; for this purpose a good 
wash may be made by boiling in water 2 lbs. of tobacco, 2 Ibs. soft 
soap, and 2 lbs. of sulphur; boil for one hour, and strain through a fine 
sieve ; add sufficient water to make 20 gallons to the above ingredients. 
Sprinkle the trees with a syringe in the evening as soon as the sun is 
off them. Keep Strawberry beds free from weeds, and mulch the 
ground round the plants with stable litter or short Grass, to keep the 
soil moist and fruit clean. Plant out early forced plants in a warm 
situation, and, if-watered occasionally, they will probably yield fruit in 
the autumn. The fruit in glass cases and orchard houses will now be 
set and swelling; thin them if necessary, and pinch out the points of 
the strong shoots. Assist the trees in pots when the fruit is swelling 
by liberal supplies of manure water and top dressing, and at no time 
allow the roots to suffer from drought. Give abundance of air in good 
weather, and use the syringe freely. forcing Ground.—Give good 
soakings of water to Potatoes and Carrots in frames, and draw the 
lights off every fine day. As soon as any of the frames are clear of these 
crops, the soil should be forked, and the frame closed for a day or two, 
