106 



HORTICULTURE 



January 25, 1913 



FRUIT AND VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS 



CONDUCTED BY 



J>«v>^, 



Questions by our readers In line with any of the topics presented on this page will be cordially rerelved and promtply answered 

 by Mr. Penson. Such commnnications should Invariably be addressed to the office of HORTICULTURE. 



Oranges in Pots or Tubs 



One of Horticulture's subscribers asks what is the 

 best way to handle oranges in pots and tubs ; the soil, 

 winter temperature and sweet varieties? 



The oranges usually grown by florists for decorative 

 purposes is known as "Otaheite" which can be purchased 

 from any of the seed stores. These are grown cool 

 throughout and set their fruit easily, but it must be 

 remembered that they are grown for decoration more 

 than their edible qualities. If it is desired to grow 

 oranges for the table, such varieties as Tangierine, Mc- 

 Carty, Malta Oval, King and California Navels should 

 be grown. These take a greater amount of care to 

 handle them successfully. All will produce flowers in 

 good quantity but fruit will sometimes be shy. Al- 

 though these varieties can be grown successfully in pots 

 and tubs, the better and surer way is to plant the trees 

 out in a border similar to a peach or vine. The fruit 

 sets much easier and the trees are better to handle. This 

 means giving up a house or conservatory to them. Al- 

 though this may seem a terrible waste to give up a house 

 to growing oranges the whole year round, there certainly 

 would be no profit to it; yet there is nothing prettier in 

 all the houses from the first of November to the end of 

 February than the golden yellow fruits contrasting so 

 richly with the dark green foliage of the orange tree. 

 The pictures figured in Horticulture of December 

 16th, 1911, were photographs of such a house grown at 

 Somerville, N. J. ■ The variety is Cal. Navels — trees 

 sent right from the orange state. This house is kept 

 cool, 40 to 45 F. at night from the time the fruit is ripe 

 nntil the middle of March, when the temperature is 

 raised a few degrees and the trees allowed to flower, fol- 

 lowed by the usual routine. The trees are given a shake 

 at noon during the time they are in flower, which is all 

 that is done to aid setting. Our soil is heavy, so to 

 counteract this a quantity of sand, charcoal and lime 

 rubble was mixed in with it before the trees were planted. 

 This makes the soil very porous. The size of fruit is 

 equal to any offered for sale in the stores, while the 

 flavor surpasses anything to be bought. Some are grown 

 in tubs 21 and 24 inches square but are not nearly as 

 prolific as the planted-out trees. Citrus Bigaradia is 

 grown for the flowers alone. ■ I would suggest to try 

 Otaheite and Tangierine for pot work, using a sandy 

 loam or otherwise open soil and grow the trees cool 

 throughout, 45 to 50 at night while they are in flower. 

 The size of the pot must be determined by the ball of 

 the tree but on no account over-pot them. Sixes ought 

 to grow good salable stock. Eights and tens can be used 

 when larger specimens are wanted. 



Strawberries in Flower 



As strawberries come into flower give them a night 

 temperature of 55 F. without excessive fire heat. On 

 any real cold night drop the temperature five degrees 

 rather than roast them with fire heat. This is applica- 

 ble to all fruit houses. Be sure the plants are free from 

 all aphis or the flowers will be damaged. Mild fumi- 

 gating will not injure the flowers should any fly be 



found. It will pay to fertilize these early flowers sim- 

 ilarly to peach and nectarine trees, only they should be 

 done more thoroughly. It is not enough to just touch 

 the flowers in one place ; they should be done all around, 

 to set the seeds on all sides. An individual fruit is not 

 one seed but many and unless they are all fertilized the 

 fruit will not swell evenly. The result is a curled or 

 twisted fruit of no use. It is sometimes difficult to 

 keep the flowers dry when watering, these early batches 

 having very short stems. This can be remedied by stak- 

 ing the flowers before they open, which is equivalent to 

 staking the fruits later. The best stakes to use are wires 

 bent to a semi-circle a little smaller than the top of the 

 pot, having a leg at each end to push in the soil, some- 

 what similar to a carnation wire. Discontinue syring- 

 ing while the flowers are opening and admit all the air 

 possible. 



The Orchard House 



The first of February is a good time to start up the 

 orchard house. This house usually accommodates ap- 

 ples, pears, apricots, plums, cherries, peaches, nectarines, 

 etc. ; in fact, all that goes to make an orchard under 

 glass. These will all come along together, but should 

 not be mixed up. It will be to their advantage to have 

 them near each other when they are in flower. Cherries 

 are the most particular and should receive the first con- 

 sideration. Place them in the coolest part of the house 

 and near a side ventilator if possible, as they will not 

 stand much forcing. If the soil has been loosened in 

 any way since they were repotted ram them over again 

 and give them a good watering. Syringe the trees twice 

 daily and do not let the night temperature exceed 45 by 

 fire heat. Two of the best varieties for this work are 

 Early Eivers and Empress Eugenie. 



Apricots are next on the list of importance, being un- 

 certain at the best of times. Let these follow on after 

 tlie cherries and receive the same treatment. Moor Park 

 and Eivers' New Large Early are said to be the best. 



Plums can be handled successfully in pots yielding 

 crops equal to when they are grown in the open. Their 

 place should be in the orchard house. Early Trans- 

 parent, Early Favourite, and M'Laughlin have done 

 well in pots in the past and can be relied upon. 



Lady Sudely and Beauty of Bath apples will force 

 easily and mature very quickly. Triomphe de Vieime, 

 Souvenir du Congress and Dr. Jules Guyot are pears of 

 good quality and reliability for pot work. Pears are 

 not so sure as apples and until the fruit is swelling away 

 good they need careful attention. 



Of peaches and nectarines there need be no doubt as 

 any of the varieties mentioned previously in these col- 

 umns will crop well if properly handled. 



Lettuce 



A sowing made now will be a paying proposition where 

 a length of heated frames or pits can be spared for them, 

 or room may be found in the vegetable house. An ordi- 

 nary flat will contain about 1000 seedlings which will 

 occupy little space until ready to be placed in their per- 



