February 22, 1913 



HORTICULTURE 



251 



FRUIT AND VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS 



CONDl'CTEU BY 



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Questions by our readers in liue with any of tbe topifs presented on tliis page will be cordially received and promt Oy answered 

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



Trellis Trees in Flower 



Probably by this time quite a number of trees growing 

 on the trellises will be in flower. With ordinary care 

 there should be no lack of perfect flowers, some of tlie 

 larger flowering varieties making the trellis look like a 

 hanging blanket. These are not more productive than 

 their less elegantly arrayed sisters. To one of these 

 belongs the distinction of carrying more pollen than any 

 other variety that has come under our notice. This is 

 Victoria nectarine with petals so diminutive that at a 

 distance they are scarcely discernible. Either large or 

 small are welcomed in their respective sections, coming 

 as they do after the critical resting season, yet to the 

 man who is looking for "eats" flowers do not appeal. 

 To the grower it is "step lively" and the next develop- 

 ment is looked for. In good weather these trees will 

 set their fruit easily but it is advisable to go over the 

 flowers most likely to be wanted, in the usual way, after 

 which give the trees a sharp shake and damp the walks, 

 etc. This damping should only be practiced in good 

 weather. Advance the air as the sun power increases 

 and keep it on as late in the afternoon as is permissible 

 to maintain a temperature of 55 to 60 F. 



Treatment of Apples and Pears in Flower 



Apples and pears are uncertainty itself until the first 

 swelling is over. At the time the petals are falling it 

 is no sure thing to say which are set properly and which 

 are going to fall, for sure some will fall. Something 

 seems to possess a tree once in a while and the percentage 

 of fruit falling will be very small, which to me seems 

 unaccountable, for the next-door neighbor will not swell 

 half the number with identically the same treatment. 

 An excessively dry atmosphere is not good for them; 

 have it sufficient to dry the pollen only and after fer- 

 tilizing spray the trees over with a fine spray of water 

 at the same temperature as the house. Err on the cool 

 side rather than the hot. Anytime when convenient, 

 in addition to the mid-day fertilizing, give the trees a 

 sharp shake to disseminate the pollen. 



Fig Houses 



Fig houses can be started right away. Should the 

 border be at all dry give it a soaking and keep the house 

 good and moist in addition to syringing twice a day. 

 Let the night temperature be -10 to 45 F at night for 

 about ten days, when a five degree rise should be given 

 them. The first crop, now tiny fruits on last year's 

 wood, will soon swell away as the sap of the fig easily 

 moves. Some of the largest fruits are secured from the 

 first crop, the second one often being greater in quantity 

 than in quality. 



Thinning Pot Vines 



At this early date the bunches on pot vines are not 



ten-pounders yet they will require near the same amount 

 of skill and care to thin them properly. The crop itself 

 should first be selected. Probably there are ten or a 

 dozen bunches to the pot all set well; this being so, 

 select the best shaped ones, at the same time spreading 

 the crop over the whole vine. There is no danger of 

 over-cropping these vines, in the sense we allude to wlien 

 speaking of the permanent vines; next years crop need 

 not be considered for tliey will then be "no more." This 

 being the case, then, leave as many bunches as the vines 

 are able to finish properly. Six I think should be the 

 limit ; more can be left but generally they will not color 

 satisfactorily, making them look unripe. After making 

 the final selection of the bunches proceed to thin the ber- 

 ries. See that the scissors are cleaned up previous to 

 commencing, otherwise the rust will mark the berries. 

 Make due allowance for these being grown in pots and 

 leave the berries a little closer than is customary on per- 

 manent rods. Soon after thinning the berries are very 

 liable to contract mildew in those localities where it is 

 prevalent. Air with the utmost care and judgment. I 

 do not mean be afraid to give them air; that is a mis- 

 conception, for the coddling idea will prove one of the 

 biggest mildew breeders that is known. Rather, in mild 

 weather with the sun shining, keep on raising the lee- 

 ward vents so long as the thermometer shows 80 degrees. 

 Be ready to counteract any quick changes of wind or out- 

 side temperature. Avoid draughts at all cost. After 

 thinning is through, give the roots all the encourage- 

 ment you can. A feeding twice a week for a start will 

 help them ; this can be increased in quantity and quality 

 as the roots get used to it. 



Cucumbers 



With the increasing sun power cucumbers will be 

 growing freely. Continue to top-dress as the roots show 

 through the previous addition. Wlien in full crop the 

 soil can be made richer, pressing it down with the hand 

 when applying it to the bed. Stopping and tying must 

 be attended to. Every second joint should be "stopped." 

 Where there is not sufficient room for the young foliage 

 to develop cut out any old or worn out leaves. The 

 plants will take more water along now than at any other 

 period of the year. Cool nights will result in hot pipes 

 to maintain the requisite temperature, drying out the 

 bed at the same time, while the plant will absorb con- 

 siderably more through the day. Occasional applica- 

 tions of manure water will help the plants, btit do not 

 give it to them when absolutely dry at the root ; rather 

 water with clear water first. If the bed is allowed to 

 become dry enough to cause the plants to wilt at any 

 time, the probability is the fruit will twist or curl in- 

 stead of growing straight. Other checks are also the 

 cause of this. 



wealthy gentleman to go into the growing of mushrooms 

 for market. A large house was built on the gentleman's 

 estate with tlie professor in charge of the growing. After 

 two years the business resulted in a failure, the gentle- 

 man being out $10,000 before he cried "Hold ! Enough." 

 Nevertheless we should be ready to give due credit to the 



man who makes a success of what he undertakes whether 

 college graduate or of the old school. 



Newport, R. I. / 



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