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HORTICULTURE 



April 19, 1913 



FRUIT AND VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS 



CONDUCTED BT 



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

 by Mr. Penson. Such communications sbonld Invarlahly be addressed to the office of HORTICDLTUHE. 



Cropping Vines 



What a blessing it would be if all fniit trees were as 

 productive as the vine ! With one or two exoeptions 

 there is always an excess of the number of bunches re- 

 quired to make a crop, which no doubf originated the old 

 proverb "to be as fruitful as the vine." It is not uncom- 

 mon to see two flower trusses on one lateral, one of which 

 should be taken off as soon as it is large enough to take 

 hold of. One bunch on each lateral would mean over 

 two crops and to over-crop a vine is to court disaster. 

 On the free-setting varieties a reduction can be made 

 soon after the- bunches show which will throw more 

 energy into those remaining. With any shy setters it 

 will be advisable not to reduce to any great extent before 

 they are set. What shall be a crop to finish is a question 

 to study on each vine. Excess will spell poor crops to 

 follow and without a cessation an early death or what 

 will cause the ultimate removal of the vine. Shanking, 

 half-colored, small berries soon render a vine worthless. 

 Do not over-crop young vines as they are growing up 

 and when come to maturity do not think of quantity 

 alone. A few good bunches will weigh up equal to 

 double the number of small ones. One bunch to every 

 thirty inches of rod will keep the vine above its work so 

 to speak and the best crops will be produced. 



Packing Melons 



Melons are easily packed to travel any distance; being 

 a solid fruit and one which can be cut a few days before 

 it is ripe enables the packer to make it firm in whatever 

 box he chooses to ship it in. Wrapped first in a sheet of 

 wax paper to keep it clean, followed by a thickness of 

 cotton-wool and then made firm with excelsior they will 

 travel without being damaged in any way. Wlien plac- 

 ing the fruit already wrapped in cotton in the box, see 

 that the cotton does not break away as it is pushed into 

 the excelsior. For regular shipments special boxes can 

 be made to hold two or four fruits. If more than four 

 are packed in one box a division should be made which 

 will relieve the pressure on the bottom fruits should the 

 box get turned on its side during transit. 



Non-Conductots 



It is difficult to find a more suitable name for this 

 subject, for it is one very little heard of — one of the tiny 

 grains of sand that go to make the shore. Perhaps the 

 necessity of it has been brought to our notice in a rather 

 unpleasant way in the past, so obviate this by the "do it 

 now" principle. When making a few remarks on the 

 winter tying of peach and nectarine trees I referred to 

 the heated trellis during the summer months damaging 

 the stronger wood when tied closely together. From now 

 on this will be the result if there is no non-conductor be- 

 tween. See that the piece of rubber hose or wood is in 

 its place. When shaking the trellis when the trees were 

 in flower some may have fallen. Eeplace these without 

 delay ; as the young growths are being tied into position 

 these can be looked over. 



Tying 



About the time the second swelling commences on 

 peaches it will be found advisable to tie all the newly- 

 made growths into position — correct position I might 

 have said — for each one should have a vacant place to 

 fill. There will be an overcrowding if disbudding was 

 not carried out to the full degree. In such cases cut 

 away a growth sooner than overcrowd them. Endeavor 

 to keep each one straight and do not cross them over 

 each other, neither should they cross strong wood unless 

 it is to fill in a bare place which cannot be done other- 

 wise. A little attention to this now saves a quantity of 

 time and labor later on and the trees will look so much 

 better. 



Cucumbers 



Continue to topdress cucumbers as the roots show 

 through the surface. Periodical stopping and tying of 

 the young growths must be attended to. Any old and 

 worn out foliage can be cut away to make room for the 

 young growths. Syringe twice daily in good weather 

 and keep a sharp lookout for greenfly or other pests; 

 fumigate before they get established. The plants will 

 require a copious supply of water right along; manure 

 water occasionally will be beneficial. Although the sun 

 power is increasing do not be in a hurry to shade; wait 

 until the plants show signs of distress from it and then 

 only apply a light one. 



flowers. Peonies are gross drinkers as well as gross 

 feeders, so it is well to make some provision to have the 

 hose handy when the dry weather comes. Keep the 

 plants well disbudded as it greatly improves the size of 

 your flowers. 



Stevia 



Where you have old plants with an abundance of new 

 growth do not fail to propagate so you will not have any 



deficiencies in this highly valued holiday plant. They 

 can be inserted in a moderately warm propagating bed. 

 Keep moist and shaded and they will soon root. They 

 like to be grown as cool as possible and make the best 

 plants when grown under constant pot culture. As they 

 fill their pots with roots keep shifting until an 8 or 9- 

 inch pot is reached. By the end of May they can be 

 plunged outside where they can have plenty of water at 

 the roots. 



Mr. Farrell's next notes will be on the following: 



Alocasias; Begonia Glolre de Lorraine; Gardenias; 

 Shading. 



Gloxinias; Phalaenopses; 



