Gardening for Amateurs 



457 



pot. If not moved into shaded frames 

 before, place them there as soon as they 

 recover from this potting, and give air freely. 



Mignonette in Pots. A few well-grown 

 pots of Mignonette are attractive in the 

 greenhouse during winter, and with this end 

 in view sow seeds now in 3^ -inch pots. Thin 

 the seedlings early, leaving the three strongest 

 plants in each pot. Move carefully into 

 5-inch pots when ready, using a little lime- 

 rubble in the compost, and grow close to the 

 glass. 



Perennial Lobelias. The bright-col- 

 oured perennial Lobelias which are useful 

 in a variety of ways in the summer flower 

 garden may be raised and grown without 

 artificial heat by so wing seeds now. Sow 

 in pots or pans, and pot off the seedlings 

 separately when large enough. A frame or 

 cool greenhouse will provide all the protec- 

 tion necessary during winter. 



Potting Cinerarias. Seedling Cinerarias 

 should be moved straight from the seed pans 

 into small pots, as, owing to their compara- 

 tively rapid growth, unlike Primulas they 

 do not need pricking out first into pans or 

 boxes. A cool and shaded position suits 

 the plants best during summer. 



THE FRUIT GARDEN 

 Summer Pruning. Summer pruning 

 should never be neglected, for it is just as 

 important as in fact, to a certain extent 

 it replaces winter pruning. Briefly, it con- 

 sists of shortening the growths made during 

 the current season to about six leaves or 

 buds, but there are exceptions. Peaches 

 and Morello Cherries, for instance, must not 

 be treated in this way, as it would be simply 

 lessening the crop for next year. In dealing 

 with other wall-trees which have not filled 

 their allotted space the leading shoots (those 

 at the ends of the branches) must be left 

 untouched, while in other parts of the tree 

 young shoots should be nailed in, where 

 this will not cause overcrowding. This 

 applies to Apricots, Cherries, Plums, and 

 some Pears. The treatment for bush or 

 pyramid or other trained trees growing in 

 the open is to cut back the summer growths 

 to within six leaves of the base unless 

 further development is necessary, in which 

 case leaders should be left untouched. 



Gleaning Strawberry Beds. After the 

 fruit has been cleared from Strawberry beds 

 remove all weeds and rubbish, and cut off 

 runners not required and the largest and 

 oldest leaves. If the bed is to be done away 

 with and replaced by young plants, as 

 becomes essential about every third year, 

 chop the plants up and clear them away 

 now. Such a plot will provide a splendid 

 position for winter and spring Broccoli, a 

 crop that delights in hard ground. 



Peach Trees. The earlier varieties will 

 shortly be ripening, and it is advisable to look 

 the trees over daily for the purpose of re- 

 moving any fruits that part readily from the 

 stems. Lift each fruit very gently to avoid 

 damage, and if ripe it will drop into the 

 hand with the slightest lift. If this is im- 

 practicable, it will be best to suspend nets 

 from the trees, in such a manner that any 

 fruits which drop are caught, and thus at 

 least kept clean. 



Outdoor Vines. The laterals of Vines 

 growing outdoors are " stopped " similarly 

 to those on Vines under glass. Pinch off the 

 shoots carrying bunches at two leaves 

 beyond the bunch, and sub-laterals appear- 

 ing subsequently should be kept pinched 

 to one leaf. 



THE KITCHEN GARDEN 

 Sowing Cabbage. The precise date of 

 sowing Cabbage seed for spring crops should 

 be determined by the locality, but it is 

 usually between the middle of July and the 

 middle of August. Strong plants are re- 

 quired before the winter, but too early 

 sowing frequently results in " bolting," or 

 running to seed. The safest plan is to make 

 two sowings, the second a fortnight after the 

 first. Whether the seeds are sown broad- 

 cast, or in drills, thin sowing is important, 

 and if very dry weather prevails watering 

 will be necessary. As regards varieties, 

 April, Flower of Spring, and Imperial are 

 reliable. Dwarf Blood Red may also be 

 sown where pickling Cabbages are needed. 



Spinach for Winter. The sowing of 

 Spinach for winter supplies should commence 

 now, to be continued according to the 

 demand. The prickly-seeded variety is best 

 for this purpose, and a dry position is pre- 

 ferable. Draw the drills about 15 inches 



