Cherries.--These may now want thinning if too thickly set; but the
operation must be influenced by the energies of the tree and the action
of the roots. Endeavour to keep the atmosphere like fine mild weather
in May. During the period of the stoning of the fruit, give the trees no
water at the roots, as this is generally one of the chief causes of so
much of it falling off at that time.
Figs.--When the fruit is swelling off, the trees to be liberally
supplied with water. The young shoots to be stopped to four or
five eyes, with the exception of those that are required to fill up
vacancies.
Melons.--Continue the thinning, stopping, training, &c., as required.
Set the early crops when in blossom, keeping a dry and lively atmosphere
during that period. Air to be given freely in favourable weather, but
cautiously, with some contrivance to break cold winds. Do not allow a
plant to swell a fruit until sufficiently strong to sustain it.
Peaches.--Be moderate in the application of fire heat to those that
are stoning (they make little or no progress in swelling during the
period)--say 65 deg. by day and 60 deg. by night; but when they commence
their second swell increase the heat moderately. Stop all luxuriant
shoots, and thin out in the second house all clusters of fruit when
about the size of Peas.
Pines.--The fruiting plants will be benefited by a watering with manure
water as soon as the bloom is set. Succession plants, if recently
shifted, to be shaded in the middle of the day if the sun is powerful;
to be kept rather close and dry, except slight sprinklings over the
tops, until they have taken root, when they may be watered freely, and
will generally require no more to be given for a week or ten days.
Vines.--The atmosphere in the early house, where the bunches have been
thinned, to be kept pure by a gradual increase of air and moisture. The
night temperature to be kept up to 65 deg., with an increase of 10 deg.
by day, and even more in bright sunshine. The second house may now be in
bloom, and will require attention in tying the shoots and keeping up the
necessary amount of heat, with less moisture. Where the fruit is set,
give the Vines a good syringing, to wash off the flowers; after which
the leaves and fruit should not be again wetted, but to be supplied with
atmospheric moisture by watering the floor of the house, and sprinkling
the flues or pipes, or from evaporating-troughs or pans. Give plenty of
tepid manure water to the Vines fruiting in pots.