494 



HORTICULTURE 



October 11, 1913 



FRUIT AND VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS 



CONDUCTED BY 



K-'^rs^ 



Qnestlons by oor readers In Une 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 HOKTICULTUEE. 



Care of Strawberries 



It is wonderful what strawberry plants will do after 

 the cool nights set in. They seem to relish them equally 

 as much as do the growers. Even when the night tem- 

 perature goes down to 35 and 40 they will still keep 

 growing if they are fed well. Do not give up encour- 

 aging them to grow until they are plunged ; all that can 

 be put into them will be repaid when forcing time comes 

 along as the strongest crowns will give the best crops. 

 Continue to feed them every week or ten days with dry 

 manure, using liquid cow manure for two or three days 

 in between. It is better to use liquid for two or three 

 days together in preference to one day only as some are 

 liable not to need any water the day the liquid is used 

 and so tliey are missed. Recent rains here have made 

 watering a rarity. Keep all runners pinched o£E as they 

 only weaken the plants and also remove the little side 

 growths that are sure to come on all crowns. They 

 may appear to make the crown look larger now but they 

 are useless and have to be removed when the plants are 

 started into growth or they would produce a quantity of 

 short flowers at the expense of the main crown and its 

 flower spike. Aim to get one good solid crown in each 

 pot. 



Ripen Up Pot- Vines 



If the vines intended for early forcing are not getting 

 all the sun possible see that they are removed without 

 delay, for completely ripened canes are the only ones to 

 get the "goods" from. For the few weeks remaining 

 before they will be started into growth it will be well 

 to give them the coolest place to be found. There is 

 generally some location that is more exposed than the 

 rest and if the vines are placed here they will feel more 

 "winterish." Diminish the amount of water at the 

 roots, Imt not too much — just enough to say they are 

 being kept a little on the dry side. Stop all syringing 

 in dull weather and once during the morning will be 

 sufficient in the best of dnvs. 



Figs 



Fig trees will stand the least amount of frost of any 

 of the various subjects grown for pot work. A few 

 degrees will do them no harm but be prepared to house 

 them at short notice. Any trees that have assumed con- 

 siderable size and occupy a large tub should be placed in 

 a cool house in the near future as it is no small item to 

 move them and they are not the best of things to protect 

 temporarily. Any sharp frost will injure the first crop 

 for next year whieli, upon examination will be found in 

 the axils of the leaves or wliat were the axils, as no 

 doubt many will be leafless at this time. 



The Soil 



Periodically we hear of making up the different heaps 

 of soil for the various crops to be grown under glass and 

 as October comes around we think of the work to be 

 accomplished in the fruit houses before they are started 

 into growth again. New borders to be made, unsatis- 

 factory borders to be renovated, and top dressings for 

 all. For this work there is Qotbing to beat sod that has 

 been stacked for about a month or five weeks, long 

 enough only to have the green grass decayed. Some of 

 the later houses have got to put up with it older than 

 this for it will be impossible to get it so short a time 

 before it is needed. At that time we shall be glad to 

 delve under straw-manure and leaves to get soil that is 

 not frozen. Fall rains have also to be considered. When 

 we speak of getting sod at this time of year it is one of 

 the greatest mistakes to work any kind of soil when it 

 is wet; lose a day anytime sooner than get on to the 

 ground before it has had time to free itself of some of 

 the excessive moisture. Sod is mean to handle wlien 

 wet, in addition to being detrimental to its welfare. 



Go over the work to be done and figure up how many 

 loads of sod are required ; then at the latest possible date 

 liave it hauled to the nearest available spot to where the 

 majority is to be used. Sod heaps are unsightly, a fact 

 often responsible for their having to be located away 

 back some distance from where they are needed. How- 

 ever get them as near as you can, which will all save 

 labor later on. Have the grass mown ofE close before 

 cutting the sod, which is best done with a sod cutter. 

 ■\Alien the ground is ploughed up too much fine soil is 

 taken with the sod. Leave sufficient room on all sides of 

 the heap to allow of sufficient protection to be added to 

 keep out all frosts during the winter months. 



Falling Leaves 



Leaves will be falling right along now in most of the 

 houses. Do not leave them to accumulate from one week 

 end to the next. Saturday is looked on in many places 

 as "the" day for picking up the leaves and a general 

 tidy around. This is all right, but every day should be 

 a day to pick up leaves that have fallen from fruit 

 trees, for, while every endeavor is made to keep them 

 clean there may be some pests lurking around seeking 

 a retreat for the winter months which the soil will afford 

 tlicm. It will only be a few minutes' jnlj for a boy and 

 will be a good investment. 



Planting Melons 



Through the winter months melons can be planted 

 closer with safety. It will pay to plant them so for 

 then there is not the necessity to get so many on each 

 plant. One foot to fifteen inches (according to variety) 

 will be far enough. We have found this system to 

 answer better than growing in pots, during the past two 

 winters. Watch the young plants closely for green fly 

 and fumigate at once or the tender leaves will be 

 crippled. 



