70 



HORTICULTUEE 



July 19, 1913 



FRUIT AND VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS 



CONDUCTED BY 



i>thr\^. 



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 should invariably be addressed to the office of HORTICULTURE. 



Pot Up Strawberries 



When the layers have stood a day or two after being 

 cut away from the jjarent plant and have fully recovered 

 any little set-back they may have experienced through 

 having to rely on their own resources to obtain nourish- 

 ment, proceed to pot them up. Some growers advocate 

 putting them into 4's and after these are filled out with 

 roots pot thto on into 6's, their fruiting size. Nothing 

 is gained in this method over placing them directly into 

 their permanent pots. They will take a little extra care 

 for a time until they have rgoted through, after which 

 with increasing roots demanding more water they will 

 grow- along easily. It is essential that all pots are 

 properly drained. See that some rough material or old 

 mushroom bed is placed over the crocks or ashes to 

 prevent the soil from working down and clogging them 

 up. A teaspoonful of soot sprinkled directly on the 

 drainage will prevent worms from entering for quite a 

 time. A strawberry likes to be made nicely firm con- 

 sequently no cracked pots are permissible for the job. 

 The soil should be made up of half decayed, medium to 

 heavy loam, with a little soot and bonemeal mixed into it. 

 Should it be of a heavy texture add enough old mush- 

 room bed to keep it porous. At the time of potting, the 

 soil should be on the dry side, which allows of the free 

 use of the rammer. Transfer the plants to the position 

 they are to occupy during the rest of the summer, wdiicli 

 should have an ash bottom, which helps to keep away 

 worms, makes a good drainage for the pots and is clean 

 to get about the plants on. For a start let the pots lie 

 placed pot-thick whicli will help to keep the moisture 

 about them. Syringe once daily and spray them over 

 several times, which will help to promote growth. 



The Vegetable House 



Now is the time to look to any repairs that are needed 

 in the vegetable liousc. for there is only a matter of a 

 few weeks until activities will commence again here. It 

 may be a coat of paint is needed — which will find work 

 for the painters during some rainy days. Benches, 

 either sides or bottoms, may need renewing now when 

 a bench has been emptied and the weather is good to fill 

 it in again without delay. Then there is the heating 

 system; is all right here? Is there still remaining un- 



der some of the benches partly used mushroom beds? 

 If so luive these cleared out as there will be little call for 

 this material after this. The mushroom cellar should 

 also be looked to, all disused beds removed, and the place 

 scrubbed down. A white-wash throughout will be bene- 

 ficial. 



Pot-Trees and Their Care 



By this time all the trees grown in pots, excepting 

 perhaps a few apples and pears, will be plunged outside 

 and apparently there is nothing to do w'ith them until 

 jiotting times comes along. Seldom if ever do we find a 

 subject that can be neglected for any length of time 

 either growing or resting. These trees may look as 

 though there is "nothing to do till tomorrow," but I 

 say look out for today. Remember these trees have all 

 been forced hard and in addition to the usual watering 

 will need a "livelier" once in a while. Nothing very 

 strong, but a little cow-manure water about once a week 

 will help them to plump up the buds for next season's 

 work. Do not rely on a shower to water the roots of 

 these trees. A moist top is sometimes deceiving, and a 

 big detriment to the trees. Keep a sharp look-out for 

 borers as they are particularly fond of these trees. 



Our Friend 



Allow me to introduce our readers to another friend 

 of the gardening fraternity. Jlr. Reader, shake hands 

 with Mr. Turtle. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Turtle." 

 "How'd you do, ilr. Reader? I believe you have a 

 quantity of bugs, etc., to dispose of?" "Yes; well now, 

 etc." Our friend turtle has proved himself a valuable 

 assistant since we lirst captured him some months ago. 

 It is the ordinary land turtle I refer to. Not being a 

 naturalist I am at a loss to give his correct name, but 

 most readers will lie familiar with them threading their 

 way through the long grass or undergrowth. I am told 

 they feed on tender growths in addition to any bugs 

 that they come across, which is borne out by the fact 

 that they will relish a nice juicy peach or nectarine and 

 take little time to uet next to it should one have the mis- 

 fortune to fall to the ground. They also will feed on 

 practically all tlie live stock that is to be found in the 

 borders of the fruit houses. It is amusing to see them 

 making a double-(|uick inarch along the borders picking 

 anything off the wall that may come to their notice. 

 They have helped us in a practical way and will do the 

 same for others if transferred to the houses and the 

 outside doors are kept closed ; otherwise they would re- 

 treat to tlieir native haunts. 



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