316 



JOURNAL OF HOETICULTURE AJfD COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 



[ Ootober 20, 1863. 



getting the zinc troughs to act seems the strangest complaint 

 of all. Because there are rims or beads encircling the pipes 

 at certain distances, is that any reason for putting the zinc 

 troughs on these rims, instead of ha-v-ing them of suitable 

 sizes to be placed between them ? If so done, and if in 

 addition they are fixed on with some thin white lead, so as 

 to exclude air Vjetween them and the ii-on pipes, we wdl guai-- 

 antee that when the u'on pipes are hot, and the zinc pipes 

 supplied with water, they will give off aJ^undance of vapour. 



Though, thei-efore, we agree to a certain extent with our 

 con-espondent, yet we should require to know much more 

 before we came to the conclusion that the builder or the 

 gardener acted in "ignorance." It is not seldom that we 

 have seen a house built for «ne jjurpose turned to another 

 purpose for which it was never designed. 



It is rather siu'prisiug that our clever correspondent has 

 kept so closely to the track marked out in No. 2. In that 

 and No. 3, the alteration, the bed is most unworkable. 

 Our idea woidd simply be in such a 16-feet house, to have a 

 9 or 10-feet bed in the middle, 3\ feet behind for path, and 

 the same in front ; the pipes close to the gi-ound, in front 

 and ends fom-, two behind as returns, and to get moistm-e 

 at command, and fom' in the centre beneath the bed, and 

 20 inches of tan above the rubble, with shelf at fi-ont and 

 back. Above the pipes in fi'ont have a shelf of 14 or 15 inches, 

 and several against the back wall above the height of the 

 Pines ; and with such an arrangement it wovdd trovible us 

 little whether the floor was raised as in No. 2, level witli the 

 ground as in No. 3, or sunk below it as many Pine-houses are. 



Shading is pui'ely a gai'dening matter, and needed at 

 times in one case as much as in the other, especially ii' the 

 plants are used to it. It is most required in changeable 

 weather. — E. P.] 



WOEK FOR THE WEEK. 



KITCHEN GARDEN. 



The late fine weather has, we trust, been taken advantage 

 of for carrying ovit aU operations previously directed. Per- 

 severance must stOl be continued in the way of hoeing, 

 forking, and surface-stining amongst progressing crops, 

 particularly Coleworts, Cabbages, late Savoys, and Cm-led 

 Kale, as considerable demand for articles of this description 

 may be expected tliroughout the season, and more especially 

 Ln the spring. Spinach, too, must have the same attention, 

 and the imder or decayed leaves should l>e cleai-ed away in 

 due time. Aspararins, the haulm to be cut on a fine day 

 when sufficiently decayed, tied in bundles, and used for 

 thatching jjurposes. When cleaa-ing the refuse from -Aspa- 

 ragus-beds, and the decaying leaves from the Broccoli, Kale, 

 Savoys, &c., observe jiarticularly if there are -any fresh-used 

 mouse-holes ; if any should be discovered, get some water at 

 once and begin pom-ing it hastily into the hole, which wiU 

 be the cause of starting the inmates, otherwise when the 

 Pea-sowing season an-ives these vermin will eat and rout part 

 out of the soU. It is necessary to have a flat brushy 

 bough in the hand to destroy them. Ai-tichokes, cut down 

 any remaining flower-stalks, remove a few of the laa-ge outer 

 leaves, and cover the roots with dry litter or old tan. Beet, 

 take up the roots careftiUy, and having cleared them of 

 leaves preserve them in sand in the same manner as CaiTots. 

 Cauliflowers, look well to these and Lettuces ; take off de- 

 cayed leaves, and dress with lime; give aii- to those in 

 frames at every favourable opportunity. The Cabbage 

 Lettuces intended for -ivinter use will not need it so freely. 



ELOWER GARDEN. 



There should be no more delay in carrying out the neces- 

 sary preparations for severe weather. The angry storms of 

 autumn ai-e gathering power ; the limitation of solai- light, 

 the brooding mist, and above all, the fall of the leaf, "are 

 significant wai-nings of the apjjroach of winter to all whose 

 interest extends to a garden. Whenever out-door oper- 

 ations are interrupted, the preparation of all sorts of pro- 

 tective materials can be actively promoted. The stock of 

 Eussian mats should be tied, and others of reeds, straw, &c., 

 should be made. Hardy creepers should be examined at 

 this season, all unnecossai-y spray removed, and their 

 secm-ity from the blasts of winter insiu-ed. The Dahlias to 

 fie marked or numbered forthwith, if not ah-eady done. The 



beds to be now looked cai'efully over to see if there be any 

 choice plants which cannot be suffered to become frosted, 

 such to be taken up, potted, and removed to the frames. 

 Wherever alterations are in progress lose no time in com- 

 pleting the transplanting of evergreens, the present mild 

 damp weather being favourable for their removal. Such 

 parts of the lawn as are contiguous to the mansion to be 

 swept daily to remove leaves and worm-casts, and the gravel 

 walks to be frequently rolled to preserve a smooth surface. 

 The present is a good time for re-an-anging the hei'baeeous 

 gi'ound ; this is rendered necessary every two or three 

 years by many of the free-groiving plants growing too large. 

 Continue to clear off decayed matter from the flower-beds, 

 and continue the planting of Tulips, Hyacinths, Crocusus, 

 Anemones, &c. Spring-flowering plants, such as Primroses, 

 Cowslips, Polyanthus, Iberis, Ai-abis, Alyssum, WaUflowers, 

 Canterbiu-y Bells, Sweet WiUiams, Foxgloves, &c., to be 

 planted in masses in the beds and borders, thus imparting a 

 cheerful appearance diuing the winter months, and pi'O- 

 ducing a gay effect in the spring. 



FRUIT GARDEN. 



Bush fruit may now be pruned. Let no two branches in 

 the Black Currant and Gooseberry touch. When finally 

 thinned these seldom recjiiu'e shortening. Follow with 

 Chen-ies, Plums, and Apples. In pruning Apples the thin- 

 ning of the branches or old wood should be the fii-st step. 

 Avoid cutting out large bmbs, unless a severe necessity 

 requires it. In thinning the young wood of espaliers, the 

 principal points ai-e to secure a continuance of leading shoots 

 to form a compact tree and the free admission of sun and 

 ah- to all parts of the tree. Towards Christmas lay by the 

 knife untU the early part of February, when the FUberts 

 win be blossoming ; then a slight thinning of the crowded 

 and inside spray to be given to them. The Apricots will 

 also at that time give indications by which to know the 

 blossom-buds, when they may be pruned. The Peach and 

 Nectarine wiU succeed the Aprioot, and these may be followed 

 by the Pear, and lastly by the Fig. Easpberries may now 

 be planted and primed. Pay every attention to getting the 

 wood of Peaches and Apricots well ripened by exposure to 

 sun and afr. Prepare for planting all kinds of fruit trees 

 by putting the ground in good order for the dilierent kinds. 

 On cold stiff soils it is advisable to plant on liiUocks 1 foot 

 or 18 inches higher than the suiTounding siu'face. The 

 trees will not grow so fast in consequence, and will require 

 more attention in summer in the way of mulching ; but they 

 will form short-jointed, well-ripened, fruitful wood, which is 

 the best preventive of canker, gum, &G., and will save the 

 labour of resorting much to root-pruning. 



GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. 



Hyacinths and other Dutch bidbs, if not afready bought, 

 shoidd be procm-ed and potted without delay. The old 

 Salvia splendens is a very g.iy plant, and useful for mixing 

 among Chrysanthemums in the show-houses. Let Azaleas 

 be tied into form as soon as can be done. Eepot strong- 

 growing Pelargoniums. There is sometimes occasion to em- 

 ploy fii-es at this period in the year, as much to promote an 

 active ventilation and remove all superabundant moisture 

 as to make nji for the deficiency of heat Irom external sources. 

 However, assistance of this kind must be used with great 

 circumspection, and no actual interruption given to the 

 system previously advised, of gradually reducing the tempe- 

 ratm-e to con-espond with the natural decline of the season 

 and consequent Bmitation of solar light and heat. Con- 

 siderable mischief is sui-e to ensue from an injudicious appli- 

 cation of fire heat, particulai-ly if used at night, and this 

 should be kept in view throughout the season. This inile of 

 treatment applies more particularly to conservatory and 

 greenhouse stock, which it is desirable to maintain in a state 

 more or less quiescent. A contrary system must be put in 

 force with gi'owing Begonias and other stove plants for early 

 fiowering. The excitement of bottom heat is of the utmost 

 advantage, and that, of course, can be best secra-ed to the 

 plants by plunging them in bark or leaf-beds. 



PITS AND FRAMES. 



Abundance of aii- and light must be admitted to these 

 structures. If any of the lights afford a pai'tial shade to 

 the i:)lants, from the accumulation of dirt thereon, take them 

 off and wash them thoroughly without delay. Be careful 



