590 



HORTICULTURE 



October 28, 1911 



Fruit and Vegetables under Glass 



ROOT PB1 6TING 



At tin- season ol i a early-forced fruit houses 



present a rather dismal appearance — cold, nothing 

 growing, probably I few leaves falling as the 



force of the hos • across them, each morning-, the 



autumn tints on the foliage of vines proclaiming that 

 fall is with us. Now, from the inexpi should 



to hear such remarks as "Nothing doing here," 

 or "What desolate houses." To the grower, however, 

 this i- on( irtani times of the year, for 



ae along now that much of next sea- 

 son's crop depends. Once active growth commences 

 little can be done to the borders, so all must be put 

 right now. Peach and nectarine trees having shown 

 oj too much rool ai tion should now be root-pruned. 

 | ; iplies especially to young trees. Finding them- 



in a newly i irder, with lots of room to 



roam in, as compared with what they have been used 

 ey invariably "lei it go" and as fall comes on we 

 find we have a quantitj of very strong growths to deal 

 with. To cut this away without interfering with the 

 rool action would only invite still stronger wood for 

 car. consequently root pruning must be resorted 

 to. 



Vague idea- apparently exist with some as to the 

 od of procedure and al-o of the object of root 

 pruning. As we were proceeding to get around a peach 

 30ns ago we were asked if the trench was 

 Idled in with manure! In another instance we 

 were told we were killing the trees, which proved to be 

 anything hut true. Trees can receive a very severe 

 check by overdoing the root-pruning and will lose their 

 i- crop in consequence. The advantages out- 

 weigh all these drawbacks when it is properly done 

 and no Loss of time or crop should ensue. Old estab- 

 , trees which carried a full crop may not need 

 pruning. Be governed by the wood grown during the 

 on. The safesl time to proceed i- a- soon as 

 irst U'w leaves commence to fall, signifying that 

 growth is about finished and that the roots will soon be 

 having some foliage on the tree at the 

 rreal to the bud and the 

 danger of dro] reduced. To proceed, take out 



own io age at a fair distance from 



the ti i an be done with a shovel and any strong 



unored. Now, with i 



work the n the root- carefully down. 



taking care oo -. When about two 



trunk the ball can he tunnelled under, 



_ one-half tir-i and filling it in again before doing 



i in position and there is no 



dangi breaking. Any roots having a tendency 



I I down can be shortened right back; 



add In- carefully fingered out of the soil and 



inches of the surface. Fill 



in the soil again and make quite firm before layn 



out. AH stn ■ : - -hould be shortened back. 



g all fibrous ones. Use a sharp knife and make 



.in int. Any roots which may have bet n hroken 



off or damaged dit e operation, should also be 



cut clean a- a Ways heals ?o much quicker 



than a bruise. Spread the roots out evenly over the 

 surface and cover with soil ramming the whole firm 

 and even. Take care that the roots are not left ex- 

 posed for any length of time. Should they have to be 

 left out over-long s|ua\ them and cover with old bags 

 or blankets to keep them moist. Suckers can be traced 

 down to their origin and taken off close to the root. 

 Some roots are continually sending these suckers up 

 and they are best amputated. If the tree has been sub- 

 jected to a severe pruning and few fibrous roots are left, 

 give a soaking of water and keep it syringed morning 

 and noon in fine weather. Syringing will be beneficial 

 on bright mornings during the whole dormant season 

 as ii keeps tin' hud- soft and plump. 



ODTSIDE VINE BOK1H BS 



Outside vine borders are beneficial for late houses, 

 keeping colder in the spring and consequently growth 

 is deferred a- late as possible. These will now have a 

 crop of ripe fruit hanging and the roots will be active 

 for awhile and needing protection from frost- and rain. 

 A good thick layer of leaves spread over the top and 

 covered with straw litter to prevent the wind from 

 removing them will answer the purpose well. Shutters 

 or -pare sash can be placed over this to run off the rain 

 as a preventive to cracking berries. An outside border 

 lying wet and cold will often cause berries to crack or 

 otherwise go wrong. 



WORK IN THE GARDEN 



With the approach of winter there is much prepara- 

 tion to be made in the kitchen garden. Much of course 

 depends on the locality. Eoots will have to be stored, 

 celery protected so as to make winter digging possible 

 ami a quantity stored for immediate use. Globe arti- 

 chokes will need protection to carry them through the 

 winter. Asparagus for forcing must not he allowed to 

 freeze too far down. Some frost, into it is essential for 

 good forcing. Leaves and other rubbish will accumu- 

 late and should he burnt preparatory to digging and 

 trenching. 



MUSHROOMS 



Beds made up the first week in September will now 

 be cropping. The atmospheric temperature has the 

 greatest effect on the quality of mushrooms. Houses 

 or cellars which are too warm never produce the thick- 

 d specimens one finds in a cellar having a normal 

 temperature providing other conditions are right. This 

 i- the one great factor, as the life of the bed depends 

 on it. After the -pawn has run. bottom beat is not so 

 essential as proper aerial heat. A temperature of 50 

 i5 produces the besl quality mushrooms and will 

 he bed going well. Never adv: more by artifi- 

 cial means; rathei b< on the cool side. A mushroom 

 nould not require watering until in an advanced 

 ; each time water is applied a quantity of the 

 small fungi are lost, rotting oil' in the soil. Beds 

 should not be allowed to dry right out. or the crop will 

 l>e checked. Aim to beep them moist amping 



walls, walk- ami surface occasionally without soaking 

 i he bed. When watering is necessary use it at a tem- 

 perature of 65 to In and soak the bed through. 



dp ft^e 



Mi Penson's nexl notes will be on the following: Pruning 

 ana repotting pot trees; Melons for Christmas; Tomatoes in pots; 

 Strawberries for forcing; Cucumbers in Crop. 



