Beans (French).--Give them, when in a bearing state, a liberal supply of
manure water, and see to keeping up a succession of them.
Cherries.--When you are sure that the fruit is finally stoned, the
temperature may be raised a few degrees; air and water overhead to be
liberally supplied.
Cucumbers.--As soon as the frames are uncovered in the morning give a
little air for an hour, to let the stagnant and foul air pass off, when
they may be closed again till the day is further advanced. As soon as
the principal shoots have reached the side of the frame, never allow any
of the laterals to grow more than two joints before being stopped. Stop
frequently, and thin liberally; where two fruit show at a joint pinch
one away.
Figs.--If red spider should be observed, wash the flues or the walls
exposed to the sun with lime and sulphur.
Melons.--Those lately planted out to be encouraged with a close, moist
heat, to get them into free growth as quickly as possible. The plants
that are fairly established to be kept cooler, admitting air at every
favourable opportunity, to produce short-jointed fruitful wood. The
shoots to be kept thin and regular, pinching out any that are not
wanted. The night temperature not to exceed 65 deg., and air to be
admitted as soon as the thermometer rises to 75 deg.; but to be given
very cautiously during cold winds. Prepare for raising plenty of young
plants for succession crops, and endeavour to have them strong and
vigorous by keeping them near the glass; to be provided, when they
require it, with plenty of pot-room. Keep up the heat in the beds
by renewing the linings; the coverings at night to be regulated in
accordance with the heat of the beds, taking care that the mats do not
hang over either the front or back of the frames.
Mushrooms.--Collect materials for fresh beds, and give those that have
been some time in bearing good soakings of manure water; sprinkle the
floor and heating apparatus occasionally. The conditions of success are
to have the materials for making the beds well prepared and sweet--that
is, free from rank steam, and the spawn to be put in whilst the heat
keeps regular and moderate, and the beds are coated over to keep it so
until the spawn is well established.
Peaches.--Remove all superfluous shoots, and tie in neatly those that
are left; thin the fruit that is swelling off before stoning, leaving
more than may be ultimately required, as, in stoning, it is liable to
drop off. Syringe the trees daily in fine weather. Where it is intended
to force Peaches, Cherries, &c., in pots next season, and some suitable
trees have to be provided, it should be no longer postponed. It is a
good plan to pot some maiden plants every year, to succeed any that may
become useless.
Pines.--Give plants swelling their fruit plenty of manure water, and a
humid atmosphere. The fruiting-house may range from 80 deg. to 85
deg. during the day, and as near 70 deg. as possible at night; the
succession-pits from 75 deg. to 80 deg. during day, and 60 deg. to 65
deg. at night. These particulars to be modified by the state of the
weather, whether sunny or dull.
Strawberries.--They require plenty of light and air to set their fruit,
when they may be removed without fear of injury to a stove, or any other
house or pit possessing a higher temperature. The plants swelling their
fruit require a liberal supply of water, and a sprinkling overhead
daily. When the fruit begins to change colour the sprinkling to be
dispensed with, and the supply of water at the roots to be given
sparingly.
Vines.--If the Grapes are colouring, a free circulation of air,
accompanied with a high temperature, will be advantageous. Attention
to be given, where fermenting materials have been used for warming the
borders, that the heat is not allowed to decline at present under the
influence of the March winds. Attend to last week's advice as to
tying, disbudding, &c., and proceed with the thinning the fruit in the
succession-house as soon as the berries are fairly set. When thinning be
as careful as possible of the bunches--neither pull them about with
the hand, by which rust on the berries is frequently produced, nor with
whatever the shoulders may be held up by at the time of thinning, as,
by the twisting of the stalks, shanking is not unfrequently produced.
Attention to be given in stopping all laterals, and breaking off all
useless shoots for the more free admission of light, which is most
beneficial in every stage of their growth. Look over houses where the
fruit is swelling, and see if any of the bunches would be improved by
tying up the shoulders. Any healthy Vines, but not of good kinds, should
be inarched before the wood gets too old.