Febmary S, 1877- J 



JOURNAL OP HORTICOLTORB AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



99 



yonng specimens which are each year laden with blossom, 

 which ie, however, generally destroyed by frost, the situation 

 not being suited to Plume. Apples as a rale grow too strongly 

 in the clayey soil of Chiswick, and in such soil the less prun- 

 ing the better, perhaps, where a maximum amount of fruit is 

 required. One more instance that a hard-and-fast rule for 

 pruning cannot be laid down as the " best" for all situations. 



A fine wall of diagonal-cordon Peaches is worthy of notice. 

 A great nnmber of varieties are planted, the main branches 

 being trained 2 feet apart. The trees are not managed on the 

 close-pinching short-spur system, but the wall space between 

 the main branches ia sufficient for the laying-in of young 

 wood from the upper surfaces of the mains — a quick mode of 

 covering a wall with trees easily managed and in a state 

 capable of bearing superior fruit. There are vertical cordons 

 of Cherries, Apricots, and Plums managed on the spur system, 

 and in an admirable bearing state, also a collection of Vines 

 on one of the walls ; the best sorts for that mode of culture 

 being the Esperione (Espiran) and Eoyal Muscadine. 



In the glass department, which is extensive, work is well 

 forward. The orchard house is highly promising, the two 

 rows of standard Peach and Nectarine trees being in splendid 

 condition. The branches are thinly disposed and are ex- 

 tremely fruitful, the blossom buds swelling rapidly. The 

 borders in which the trees are growing are never dug— not 

 even pointed-up with the fork ; they are about as hard as a 

 gravel walk, and are heavily dressed with manure during the 

 growing season, which induces a network of fibrous roots — the 

 sequel of fruitful branches. Potted trees are similarly pro- 

 mising, some of them just expanding their blossoms ; even 

 amongst trees packed in fern in the open air are one or two 

 Apricots fully in flower, suggestive of the earliness of the 

 season and what may justly be termed its dangerous character 

 in reference to the fruit crops. 



In the vineries the canes are at rest. At Chiswick fuel is 



and (although he will not thank me for saying bo) its able 

 superintendent, has a rich horticultural store, and an immense 

 advantage over any " new society " which a few good people 

 " see in their dreams." 



Much has gone on daring the past, is going on at the pre. 

 sent, and in all probability will go on in the future — " at 

 ChiBwiek."— J. W. 



KITCHEN-GARDEN NOTES. 



With February begins the busy season in the kitchen garden. 

 Up to this time unfavourable weather hinders many from 

 doing much in this department, and this may be the case 

 without any severe loss following ; but let the weather be 

 what it may, an exertion must be made now or many crops 

 will be so behind that no amount of after-attention or hard 

 work will remedy. 



Before putting in any crop the ground must be well pre- 

 pared. This is of great importance, and no half-done work 

 should ever be allowed. Where the subsoil is cold and clayey 

 too much of it must not be turned up in one season. Soma 

 crops of a rough-growing description might thrive in it, bat 

 small seeds and plants will perish or fail to come to perfection. 

 Soil that is turned up stift' in trenching I always make a rale 

 of planting with Potatoes the first season, and when properly 

 manured any crop will grow on it afterwards. One of the 

 best manures for a newly-exposed stiff soil I find to be decayed 

 leaves, to be followed with something of a more lasting nature 

 the following season. All ground for vegetables should always 

 be turned over and left quite rough at first. Some make it 

 smooth on the surface with the spade, because it will soon be 

 planted. This ia a mistake. Ground treated in this manner 

 becomes quite bound on the surface after the first heavy shower, 

 and the nourishing influence of the atmosphere has no further 



power. When left rough even for a day or two and then broken 

 economised, the Vines being grown almost entirely with sun | up with a fork the result is quite the opposite. 



• ■ • ■ '■ • - All kinds of Cabbage, K^e, Cauliflower, (fee, grow best in a 



heat. The collection of Grapes is the most extensive in the 

 kingdom. It is uot neoessary to dwell on the varietifis, but as 

 information has been sought on Black Barbaroasa (Gros 

 Guillaume) it may be stated that it is one of the freest bear- 

 ing and finest Grapes in the collection. 



In the large vinery, a noble structure. Camellias, Bhododen- 

 drons, &c.. are arranged. These plants are not half so large 

 as they were a few years ago, but are infinitely better, being 

 well furnished, healthy, and well set with buds. Their pre- 

 sent condition is mainly due to severe pruning. Camellias 

 and Rhododendrons may be cut as severely as Pelargoniums, 

 and, like them, are the better for it; the shrubs mentioned 

 " break " out of the old wood as freely as does a Thorn hedge 

 after it has been •' plashed " or " scotched." 



Flowering and other decorative plants are also plentifully 

 represented — some just unfolding their flowers, others being 

 grown for experimental purposes. Amongst the latter may be 

 instanced Epacrises, a collection of which the Council are 

 establishing, and of which something useful will be said in 

 due time. The flowering plants include Lilaos, Azaleas, 

 Prunus sinensis, Coronillas, Primulas, Eoheveria retnsa, &e., 

 and as particularly noticeable Lily of the Valley. The Lily 

 crowns are grown at Chiswick, and it is not possible to imagine 

 that imported "clumps" can excel them. The system of 

 preparing them is to aflord an open position, plenty of room, 

 rich soil, and heavy mulchings of manure. By this plan small 

 tufts become in three years bold flowering crowns, which are 

 dug up and packed in cocoa-nut fibre in a heated place, and 

 almost every crown produces a vigorous spike of flowers. 



In one of the pita are a few Orchids, also Ferns. Amongst 

 the latter Pteris serrulata cristata major is distinct and fine ; 

 it ia of easy growth, and very valuable for decorative purposes. 

 Nephrolepia davallioides furcata, lately sent out by the Messrs. 

 Veitcb, is also attractive by its glossy aud gracefully arching 

 fronds. Noticeable in the stove, which is mainly occupied 

 with Palms and other ornamental-foliaged plants, are two fine 

 baskets of Torenia asiatica. This ia a good old plant, and 

 that is the proper way to giow it and show it to advantage. 

 Many of the decorative plants at Chiswick will probably be 

 removed to the conservatory at South Kensington to aid in 

 making attractive the meeting which is announced to be held 

 next week: where the plants now are few can enjoy them. 



Let South Kensington be what it may, one tbiug is clear — 

 that any society possessing Chiswick, ita ten acres of ground, 

 its extensive ranges of glasa, its great collection of fruits, its 

 multitude of plants, ita faoihties for experimental purposes, 



rich soil, but there is a possibility of making it too rich, not 

 only for the crops named, but also for such as Onions and 

 Celery. Too much manure makes them large enough, but 

 they want substance; on the other hand, too little manure ig 

 the cause of their being tough aud dry, and very often small. 

 The plan I find most satisfactory is to give a moderate dress- 

 ing of manure annually. Excepting in such cases as men- 

 tioned above leaves should never be used alone as manure, 

 but mixed with decayed cow dung or stable litter they are 

 excellent for all crops. In most small gardens the ground will 

 be all cleared by this time. Any Kale or Broccoli remaining 

 should be lifted and laid-in in some odd corner. 



Before putting in any crops write labels for every kind of 

 vegetable that is to be planted, and then go over the garden 

 from one end to the other and place a label in wherever its 

 crop ia to occupy. This I was taught when " serving my time " 

 with one of the " old school," and have practised since with 

 a saving of much confusion. 



Rotation of crops is by some considered indispensable, but 

 it is not absolutely necessary to insure succeaa. The follow- 

 ing is something like the way I try to work-in my crops : — 

 Celery in the atrongeat soil in the garden. Thia ia thoroughly 

 manured with the best " muck" obtainable. When the Celery 

 is cleared off the ground ia turned over, without adding much 

 manure, and here the Onions are sown. Cauliflowers succeed 

 these occasionally, but when the Onions can be harvested early 

 enough the ground is manured and turned over at once and 

 filled with autumn-sown Cabbage plants. Theae I always like 

 to follow with Potatoes, and Potatoes with deep-rooting crops, 

 such as Carrots, Beet, and Parsnips. Potatoes open the ground 

 for these crops, and they do not harbour so much vermin in 

 the soil as many others. Broccoli requires an open but rich 

 soil, and it need not be planted in the lightest situation. 

 Brussels Sprouts thrive under the same conditions. Rhubarb 

 I always plant in the most shaded situation. It does not 

 become quite so fine here as in a fully exposed place, but it 

 does better in the shade than most other crops. 



Excepting what is forced under glass, I do not advise putting 

 any kind of seeds into the ground until the first or second 

 week in March, and unless the weather is favourable and the 

 soil in good condition nothing is lost by waiting a week or 

 two longer. I have sown Peas in February and again at the 

 end ol March, and the latter were ready for use quite as early 

 as the former. Where the garden ia large enough to admit of 

 it, or ratherwhore there ia a sunny south border, all early 



