ICX) 



POPULAR GARDENING. 



February, 



Horticultural Experience Meetings. 

 The idea of holding "practical experience" 

 meetings, instead of tiring an audience of 

 practical fruit growers and gardeners with 

 long and learned dissertations of theorists, 

 as is so often done on the occasions of horti- 

 cultural meetings, we believe originated 

 with the Secretary of the N. J. State Horti- 

 cultural Society, and seems to be quite a 

 success judging from the general tone of 

 the meetings which have been conducted on 

 that plan. Other Societies might very profit- 

 ably follow the example set by the N. J. 

 Society. Abstract science is well enough in 



feet high is practiced and it would be hard 

 to exceed the crop shown and no doubt it 

 would be as profitable for the establishments 

 in this country that make a business of 

 winter growing of Tomatoes as it is in Eng- 

 land where growing this fruit by any course 

 out of doors is the exception rather than 

 the rule. 



The average wholesale price of Tomatoes 

 grown under glass in England is equal to 

 13 cents per pound of our money, though the 

 fruit in the particular instance which we 

 have had engraved (from the London Jour- 

 nal of Horticulture), by its superior quality 

 brought 16 cents per pound and over. 



Hot 



■ Bed Lettuce. 

 Crow. 



How to 



An English Tomato-Forcing House. 



its place, but the tiller of the soil wants 

 science that he can apply to his business. 

 The professional entomologist, for instance, 

 might give a scientific treatise on the life 

 history of the scaly bark louse, its first dis- 

 covery, local distribution, emigration, or 

 scientific classification. The average cultiva- 

 tor will care very little about it, and may not 

 retain a vestige of it in his memory. But 

 when told that a salsoda solution is a sure 

 cure, he will go home rejoicing, and prepare 

 at once to apply the solution, and save the 

 affected trees in his yard. 



Forcing Tomatoes and Training to 

 Single Stakes 



In the November issue, page 47, a sub- 

 scriber gave some directions for Tomato 

 forcing under glass by a method which 

 requires a trellis aad pruning for the best 

 success. In England where the open air 

 culture of Tomatoes is not generally prac- 

 ticed owing to the cool summers, forcing 

 the fruit under glass is the main reliance 

 for securing it, hence English gardeners are 

 proficient in the art and which might un- 

 doubtedly at times be of use to Americans. 



On this page is presented a view of an 

 English Tomato house, the variety in use 

 being the Ham Green Favorite which is 

 considered the best and most generally 

 useful sort for market purposes; the plants 

 are grown to a single stake, ten or twelve 

 feet in length, and are not stopped, nor is 

 any pruning done excepting where the foli- 

 age is so thick as to injuriously shade the 

 fruit, and here it is removed without stint 

 for it is natural that such a course does not 

 effect the abundance of the crop. 



The stakes being so tall, require cross 

 braces to prevent any swaying or possible 

 accident. There is no doubt but that this is 

 the most economical plan lioth in time and 

 space, that could for good results be adopted; 

 having no masses of side shoots to keep in 

 order, as is the result when stopping at 3 or 4 



AI.BERT WILLIAMS, MERCER CO., PA. 



The best and cheapest way to grow 

 Lettuce in the early spring is this: 

 About February 1st sow one-half 

 ounce of Black Seeded Simpson 

 Lettuce seed for every 300 plants 

 wanted, and as soon as large enough 

 to handle, transplant two inches 

 apart each way into boxes filled 

 vrith three inches of good rich soil. 

 In four weeks these plants will be 

 in nice shape for planting out in the 

 hot-beds, which in the meantime 

 should be gotten ready as follows: 



Dig out a pit to the depth of a 

 foot or fifteen inches of the right 

 length, and line up the sides vrith 

 rough lumber to the level of the 

 ground. Then set on your sash 

 frame, 16 inches high at the back, 13 

 inches high in front, and as long as 

 the pit, 13 or 1.5 feet being a good 

 length, and bank it up well with 

 soil and manure. For heating material 

 in an experience of over twelve years in 

 growing large quantities of hot-bed Lettuce 

 for market I have never found anything 

 better than good fresh horse manure. If 

 steam should be coming out of the top at 

 the stable, pile it in a conical heap as It Is 

 unloaded, and tramp it down thoroughly; 

 the heap then becomes heated all through, 

 and does not need any further turning be- 

 fore putting it into the frame. But if there 

 is no heat showing when handled there is 

 no necessity for tramping it, as It must be 

 turned before putting It into the frames. It 

 is ready to turn as soon as it begins to steam 

 freely; pack It down and tramp it firm as it 

 is turned, so that the heat will permeate aU 

 through the pile. Many hot-beds are made 

 that are hot only in name, for down under 

 the soil they are as cold as icebergs from 

 neglect of this point. 



When the manure is well heated through, 

 which may be known by thrusting your 

 hand into the heap, throw it into the frame, 

 and tramp it down evenly all over the frame, 

 in the corners and under the cross bars, so 

 that it will settle evenly up to within a foot 

 of the top, leaving the surface level. Now 

 put on from four to six inches of soil; it 

 can't be too rich for maturing a good crop 

 of Lettuce; rake it down evenly, put on your 

 sash, leaving about three inches open at the 

 back for three days to allow the rank heat 

 to pass off, then open up the beds and plant 

 sixty plants to each 3x6 sash. Water 

 thoroughly after planting, even if the soil 

 does seem wet. Give plenty of air on all 

 mUd days, especially in sunny weather; 

 about 9 o'clock in the morning the beds 

 should be freely aired. Neglect In this par- 

 ticular wiU do more towards failure than 

 any other one thing. 



In four weeks from the time of planting 

 the crop ought to weigh 15 pounds to the 

 sash; I have raised Black Seeded Simpson 

 Lettuce that in six weeks from planting 

 weighed 33 pounds. These beds may be re- 



planted as the first crop is cut out, and after 

 the second crop comes out, a hill of Cucum- 

 bers may be planted in each. These will 

 fruit a month earlier than those planted in 

 the open ground. 



The Remarkable Chrysanthemum, 

 Mrs. Alpheus Hardy. 



This remarkable flower first described, so 

 far as we are aware. In Popular Gardening 

 AND Fruit Growing for April, 1888, has all 

 through the past Chrysanthemum season 

 created a great stir and received premiums 

 wherever it has been exhibited. It has well 

 fulfilled its early promise of distinction in 

 the way of special attraction by its admira- 

 ble growing and blooming qualities and its 

 high rank now seems to be unquestioned. 



Whether this pecitliar form is but the first 

 of a unique race differing materially from 

 the familiar type of Chrysanthemums, 

 remains yet to be seen. The peculiarity of 

 this new variety is well shown In our en- 

 graving. The pure white petals, which are 

 somewhat incurving like the Chinese class, 

 being covered with a fleecy fringe on their 

 surface a quarter of an inch and less in 

 length. This very noticeable feature is 

 becoming more pronounced with each year 

 of its growth. In addition to the excellence 

 of its flowers the plant's character of growth 

 seems all that is desirable, being one of the 

 freest growers even in large collections. 



One grower reports that some August 

 stuck plants the past autumn gave proof of 

 its vigor by each bearing three fully devel- 

 oped flowers that measured four inches 

 across. Those most intimate with the 

 variety ask the horticultural world not to 

 be surprised if within a few years we shall 

 have red, yellow and other colored blooms 

 with its characteristic hair-like appendages. 



COMMENTS BY READERS. 



A department to which alt are imnted to send notes of 

 experience and observation concerning topics that re- 

 centtu have been treated on in this Journal. Many 

 such contributions monthly would be welcome. 



The Turner Hybrid Tomato. I see some 

 subscribers object to this on account of its rough- 

 ness. My experience with Tomatoes is that we 

 may raise rough or smooth Tomatoes from the 

 same variety. My plan is to remove the rough 

 fruit as soon as the shape is seen; by this means 

 those left will be much better.— Pi«r(in Baird. 



No CuBCULio Proof Plum. A curculio proof 

 plum does not exist. Spend your time and 

 money shaking the best sorts twice a day over 

 large cloths; catch the curculio and crush it. 

 That is the only sure cure; and it is sure. 



Ornamental Beets to my taste (others say so 

 too) had as well give way to better things. 



On Substituting by Nurserymen. Nursery- 

 men should not assume to All orders for stock 

 different from that which is ordered without a 

 permit from the person so ordering. A promi- 

 nent nurseryman the past season leceived an 

 order with the money for special kinds of Apple 

 trees. He being out assumed the privilege of 

 sending dwarf Pear trees for the money In his 

 possession. Is that right and just? Would he be 

 satisfied with his groceryman if he sent him 

 money for a barrel of sugar and he being out 

 sends him a barrel of %'lnegar? Should one set 

 of business men have greater priWleges than 

 others in this respect? With the wonderful 

 growth of the fruit and vegetable business in 

 these United States the time will come when 

 some of these obstructing eWls in its progress 

 must and will be remedied.— .4. M. Nichols. 

 Licking County, O. 



Evergreen planting is a thing I wish also 

 to speak of. I think there is nothing more cheer- 

 ful and pleasant in the winter season especially 

 as Evergreens, as they retaiD their green foliage 

 when everything else is almost dead. We can all 

 beautify our homes by these beautiful trees, and 

 a row of Evergreens make such a nice wind 

 break, besides adding cheerfulness to our homes, 

 yet so few are planted.-s-M. T. Thompson. 



Tartarian Honeysuckle for Hedges. The 

 best ornamental hedge plant is the Tartarian, or 

 Bush Honeysuckle. It is of rapid and easy 



