294 



THE GARDENER. 



[June 1879. 



pits or frames for bearing up to the 

 end of September. This, however, 

 applies to the south, for in Scotland 

 Cucumbers rarely do much good in 

 cold frames. Top-dress those plants 

 that have been in bearing for some 

 time with rotten manure and loam, 

 and water occasionally with liquid 

 manure. Do not let those now in full 

 bearing carry too heavy a crop at one 

 time, or they will exhaust them- 

 selves. Cut off all deformed Cucum- 

 bers, stop the young growths at every 

 joint, and keep thrips and red-spider 

 down by the use of the syringe and 

 tobacco-smoke. 



Strawberries in Pots. — Those now 

 ripening their crop will do better in a 

 cold pit with sun-heat than on shelves 

 in forcing - houses. They will want 

 copious supplies of water and plenty 

 of air when colouring. Plant out all 

 plants from which the crop is gathered 

 on rich and deeply - worked ground. 

 Immediately runners can be had for 

 layering, get the necessary stock for 

 next year's forcing layered either in 

 3-inch pots in rich soil, or place the soil 

 between the Hoses and lay the plants 

 on it. For early forcing, the plants 

 should be shifted into their fruiting- 

 pits early in July. 



—&^s?z£gz<s^s- 



gtoticcs to (fcaxxttyanimxtz. 



All business communications and all Advertisements should be addressed to 

 the Publishers, and communications for insertion in 'The Gardener' to David 

 Thomson, Drumlanrig Gardens, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire. It will further 

 oblige if all matter intended for publication, and questions to be replied to, 

 be received by the 14th of the month, and written on one side of the paper 

 only. It is also requested that writers forward their name and address, not for 

 publication unless they wish it, but for the sake of that mutual confidence 

 which should exist between the Editor and those who address him. We decline 

 noticing any communication which is not accompanied with name and address 

 of writer. 



An Old Subscriber. — Without more particulars we cannot exactly tell you 

 why your Vines break irregularly. Vines that are started in too high a tem- 

 perature are very apt to break irregularly ; and we have known applications 

 made in winter for the destruction of insects injure the buds, and so cause 

 an irregular break. But Vines pruned on the spur system seldom break as 

 yours have done, if in ordinary good condition. We also suspect your Laurus- 

 tinus has been subjected to a too high temperature. If well established in 

 properly drained pots, and forced in a temperature a little above that of an 

 ordinary greenhouse, the blooms will not drop prematurely. 



T. F. — Remove the surface of £our Vine-border till you come to the roots, 

 and put over them 7 or 8 inches of rotten farmyard manure and loam in equal 

 proportions. You may apply the manure- water as well, at intervals, in the 

 heat of summer. This, all other things being equal, will stimulate and im- 

 prove the Vine. 



