Capsicum.--Sow seeds of the large sort in pans or pots, to be placed in
heat. When the seedlings are an inch or two high pot them singly into
small pots, and replace them in heat; to be afterwards shifted when
necessary until the end of May, when they may be planted out on a south
border.
Cherries.--Plenty of air, atmospheric moisture, and a very moderate
temperature, are the requisites for them. If the buds are beginning to
swell, 45 deg. will be enough to maintain by fire heat, lowering the
temperature down to 40 deg. at night, with a moist atmosphere.
Cucumbers.--The plants in bearing to get a top dressing of fresh, rich
soil. Keep a sharp look out for the destruction of insects. When the
plants in the seed-bed have made one rough leaf pinch off the leading
shoot above it, so as to cause the plants to throw out two shoots from
the axil of the leaves. Cuttings put in and struck in the seed-bed will
come into bearing quicker than seedling plants.
Peaches.--If the weather is very dull and unfavourable for giving air
where the trees are in bloom, it is advisable to shake the trellis
towards noon for dispersing the pollen.
Pines.--Proceed with the routine as advised in last Calendar.
Strawberries.--Keep them close to the glass, and remember that they are
impatient of heat: let 45 deg. be about the maximum, with a very free
circulation of air. If they are plunged in a pit or dung-bed, let the
bottom heat be about 70 deg. maximum, with an atmospheric warmth of 55
deg. to 60 deg.. In such a situation they will want scarcely any water
until they begin to throw up their blossom-spikes.
Tomatoes.--Sow seed of the large. To be treated as advised for
Capsicums.
Vines.--To be looked over carefully, and as soon as they are
sufficiently forward to distinguish the embryo fruit all useless shoots
to be removed--that is, all that do not show fruit, and are not required
for wood next season. It may also be necessary to take off some of the
shoots that show fruit where they are very thick. If two shoots grow
from one joint one of them should be removed.