MAY. 159 
to get the soil warm, and in order to receive Cucumber or Melon plants. 
Maintain a good heat to Cucumbers in bearing, thin and stop the 
shoots, so that all the leaves may have full exposure to the light; 
water freely, syringe and close the frames early in the afternoon; sow 
for ridges and for succession. Melons require similar treatment; cut 
away all useless growth; when a sufficient quantity of fruit is set place 
tiles or bricks under the fruit. If red spider appear, syringe the plants 
and close early. Plant out those sown last month, and sow again for 
the late crop. Peaches and Nectarines.—As soon as the second swelling 
takes place, the temperature may be raised with safety; continue to 
syringe the trees till the fruit begins to ripen; give plenty of air at all 
times ; tie in the shcots, and expose the fruit as much as possible to the 
sun; see previous directions for late houses. Cherries—When the 
fruit begins to colour, an increased temperature should be given, to 
_ hasten their ripening. Give plenty of water at the root, but keep a less 
humid atmosphere. When the crop is gathered, remove the trees to a 
shady situation, and keep them well syringed and watered. Pines.— 
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 when the plants are out of flower, and close the house 
early. Shift succession plants as they may require it, and maintain a 
moist growing heat of about 70° at night, and 90° during sunshine. 
Avoid a burning bottom heat. Give plenty of air on warm quiet days, 
but do not admit back and front air at the same time, to cause a draught 
in the pit; if so, the plants will assume a brown and unhealthy appear- 
ance. Give liquid manure occasionally to plants in free growth as well 
as those in fruit. All plants intended for winter fruiting should now 
have their final shift, and give them more heat and less moisture, to 
encourage them to start into fruit. Strawberries.—Introduce the last 
lot of plants, if not already placed, in cold’ frames; it must be done at 
once, to keep up a supply till such time as they are ripe in the open 
ground. Give plenty of air and water to those in bearing. Syringe to 
keep down red spider. Vinery.—sStill apply artificial heat to all except 
the latest house, so that the temperature does not fall below that hitherto 
maintained ; so continue till the fruit is perfectly ripe, after which time 
the houses may be kept cool, to prevent the fruit from shrivelling. 
Keep the latest Vines retarded as much as possible till they begin to 
show for fruit, when the usual treatment should be given. Attend to 
Vines in pots. Remoye all lateral shoots from the young plants, as 
well as those in fruit. Mulch the surface with sheep or cow manure, 
and give frequent waterings with manure water. Do not let those in 
fruit suffer from drought, otherwise the flavour of the fruit will be 
greatly deteriorated. Clear out all plants from the Vineries, such as 
French Beans, Strawberries, &c., otherwise red spider may be very 
troublesome on the Vines at this season. Kitchen Garden.—Plant out 
Basil and Marjoram at the end of the month—choose a rich light soil 
in a warm situation; Tomatoes and Egg-plants may also be planted. 
Prepare ridges for Vegetable Marrows and Cucumbers ; dig out the soil 
a foot deep and three feet wide, and fill the trench with stable manure 
or leaves—cover the whole again with soil mixed with rotten manure ; 
_ plant under handglasses. Dutch Cucumbers for pickling may be sown 
