Jolj 16, 18C8. ] 



JOimNAL OF HOBXIOULTUBB AND COTTAGE GARDBNEB. 



47 



as the latter were becoming quite bard. Sowed Cabbages for the 

 early ppriny crop ; a few Cauliflowers, Turnips, Ltttuoes, Euiiive, 

 and tbo last row of Peas, watering the ground in every case 

 before sowing, and then covering with mats, litter, &c., to keep 

 the moisture in a little before the plants appeared. We have 

 been able to keep young crops alive without watering by ahading 

 with dry litter, evergreen boughs, &c. Sowed an earth pit of 

 Dwarf Kidneij Beanit, soaking the drills first, and these if 

 necessary wo can protect in the autumn. Here we may state 

 that, against our wish, we have sown more this year of the 

 small black Kidney Bnan, which produces long clear pods. 'We 

 do not know how it may hold out for continuous bearing, but 

 as yet it has been the most fertile variety we have ever met 

 with, producing a vast number more flowers and pods than 

 leaves. From a small border wo have gathered large (luantities 

 for use both fresh and pickled. At one time we held this little 

 black Bean in but small estimation, and always had an idea it 

 produced speckled instead of clear green pods ; but now, if it 

 hold out, wo shall assign it a first place, as being superior for 

 ont-door cropping to (Jliina or Robin's Egg, Duns, Yellows, 

 Fulmer's, and all the rest of them. The lljbin's Egg in such 

 a season would be apt to produce many dumpy pods, with a 

 seed swelling at the end before the pod had attained its full 

 length. From plants of this little black Bean we have gathered 

 a dozen pods, straight and clean, fully 5.J inches long, and 

 no mark of a seed in them. From its dwarfness wo shall give 

 it a trial for forcing next season. Succession crops, though 

 young, have been attacked with the black iiy that is frequently 

 SO troublesome on Broad Beans, and these have been syringed 

 with lime water and soap water, and they are now nearly free 

 from such enemies. 



We have several times mentioned that that fine Pea, Veitch's 

 Perfection, did not produce enough to please us; but this season, 

 dry though it has been, it has been with us more prolific than 

 any other of the large Peas. 



FEniT GAHDEN. 



Strawberry runners will be very scarce with us this season, 

 and the crop of fruit has almost dried up. Trees in orchard 

 hoosea have had extra watering, and merely to save watering 

 we have shaded the glass with whitened water. Some nice 

 Pigs have been gathered from the most forward orchard house, 

 also some good Plums, the house having been made more 

 forward by shutting up earlier and giving air later. We are at 

 a loss for clean water for syringing, and have used with good 

 effect sewage for root-watering. Used also sewage water for 

 watering the Vine borders, which are out of doors, as, after the 

 covering had been removed, they were becoming dry, and as 

 the soil, from the sun striking freely on it and being but slightly 

 touched on the surface, became as warm as we wished it to be. 

 After the watering, we covered the borders slightly with horse 

 droppings and a little litter, which will protect them from the 

 fierce sun a little, and if a good shower should come some of 

 the virtues of the covering will be washed into the soil. 



Nearly finished thinning late Grapes. This could only be 

 done in the morning and evening, owing to the heat. Cleared 

 ontall the plants from the second vinery, and washed all the 

 stages, &8., then covered ihem with a paint of lime and sulphur, 

 and daubed all the pipes with sulphur and soft-soap, also doing 

 the same on the wall where there was any chance of the sun's 

 rays falling on it. Tbis was done by way of precaution to keep 

 the red spider at a distance. Tbe floors and stages were also 

 damped in the hottest part of the day, as we do not care to 

 syringe over the foliage. We never think that plants do much 

 harm in such houses until the fruit begins to ripen, then tbe 

 less watering in the honse the better ; but in very hot weather 

 the dryness may be carried too far, and a little spi inkling of 

 water will help to keep the bunches plump and full. Figs have 

 also needed extra watering, but nothir'; repays the trouble 

 better. Provided the water is not stagnant, it is scarcely pos- 

 sible to over-water a Fig tree after it has fairly taken to growth. 

 Plants in pots run a risk of throwing off their fruit every time 

 the soil becomes dry. In pits and frames where Melons and 

 Cucnmbers were growing, ran a brush, with a paint made of 

 lime, soot, and sulphur, near the top inside, to moderate the 

 reflection of light, and yet emit some sulphurous fumes when 

 the sun shines strongly. These fumes are the greatest annoy- 

 ance to the red spider. As to tbe mere sulphur itself in its 

 natural state, the red spider will walk in it as unconcernedly as 

 among dust or earthy particles. Tbe fumes should never be 

 too hot ; when they are given off from flues or pipes the heating 

 material should never be warmer than 160°. When the fumes i 



are caused by the sun's rays striking on a wall, thoy will rarely 

 bo so worm as that. In such bright weather whtn good Melons 

 cannot have the shade of foliage, they will bo all the better of 

 a thin piece of paper being suspended over them. 



OliNAlIENTAI, DBI'AUTMKNT. 



Very much the same as last week. Hoed and forked beds of 

 shrubs, (Sic, to fill up cracks. Some Khododendrons are suf- 

 fering from the drought. Proceeded with seeuting Hollyhocks 

 and Dahlias. As we could not water, the spikes of the former 

 will be shorter than usual. We prefer Dahlias to have only one 

 stout stake, which is hidden as tbe plant attains maturity, and 

 to this stake all the side shoots retained are loottly hasped, which 

 keeps them secure and yet does not give the plant an artificial 

 appearance. Secured Carnations with twisted wires instead of 

 stakes, and proceeded with layering them and making cuttings 

 as we could. The lawn was becoming a little patchy with green 

 vigorous spots here and there, ond, therefore, first switched it 

 over with the daisy knife, and then very lightly with the mow- 

 ing machine, so as not to dip where there was nothing to cut. 

 Plants in beds we watered at the roots chiefly with sewage 

 water. Could we have the grass brightly green again the 

 flowers would look much better. 



Shifted tor the conservatory into larger pots, strong plants 

 of Feathered Cockscombs and Fuchsias. Shifted BaUams 

 into larger pots for succession. Gave more shade and water 

 to Ferns. Begonias and Caladiums ccme in well in shady 

 parts of corridors, greenhouses, &c. The former are very im- 

 patient of any flowers or leaves falling on their foliage. All 

 plant houses are benefited by keeping the floors and stages 

 moist, instead of drenching the plants too much at the roots. 

 See last week as to Pelargoniums, Chinese Primroses, Cinera- 

 rias, &c. 



All greenhouse plants out of doors and in pits and frames 

 might be exposed at night fully were we sure of no thunder 

 storm occurring. When there is any danger the sashes may 

 be raised back and front so as to give a free current of air. In 

 such weather we reduce the air to many plants during the day 

 that they may require less water, and give it freely at night. 

 We are not much afraid of a high temperature during the day, 

 provided there is enough of air to prevent the accumulation of 

 condensed vapour. 



Now is the beat time for sowivp Calceolaria.-; to flower early 

 nest spring. The following is an excellent plan : — Fix on a 

 shady pluce and there put a hand-light half filled with rough 

 ashes. Fill a 6 inch pot to within 1 inch of the rim, half with 

 drainage, the other halt with, first rough soil, then finer, and 

 then very fine sandy loam with a little leaf mould or peat. 

 Press, water well, and in six to ten hours sow on the surface, 

 f-ive a dusting of silver sand over the seed, and press lightly. 

 Place a square of glass over the pot, plunge the pot nearly to 

 the rim in the ashes, and until the seedlings appear give enough 

 of moisture by watering the ashes and not the surface of the 

 pot. When the seedlings appear raise the square of glass a 

 little, then in a short time remove it at nigbt, replacing it 

 during the day; give air by the top of the hand-light, and as 

 soon as the seedlings will bear it expose them fully ; prick out 

 and keep in e. cool shady place, and they will be healthy and 

 strong.— R. F. 



COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— Jdly 15. 



Therf. is in tbe market a vast accumulation of fruit both English aiifl 

 foreign, the latter compriBing Pines, Grapes, Peaches, Nectariuee, Apri- 

 cots, and Melons. Tha vegetable market is not so -well supplied. 



VEGETABLES. 



8. d. 



Artichokes doz. 2 



Asparagus lOO 



Beans, Kidney % sieve 4 



Eeet, Ked doz. 2 



Broccoli bundle 



Brns. Sprouts ^ sieve 



Cabbage doz. 1 



Capsicums 100 



Carrots bunch 



Cauliflower doz. S 



Celery bundle 1 



Cucumbers each 



Endive doz. 2 



Fennel bunch 



Garlic lb. 



Herbs bunch 



Horseradish . . bundle 3 



Leeks bunch 



Lettuce .... per score 

 Mushrooms .... pottle 

 Mustd.& Cress, punoet 

 Onions per doz bchs. 



Parsley per sieve 



Parsnips doz. 



Peas per quart 



Potatoes bushel 



Kidney do. 



Kadishcs doz. bunches 



Rhubarb bundle 



Stn-kale basket 



Sballotg lb. 



Spinach bujibel 



Tomatoes. ... per doz. 

 Turnips bunch 



