9 6 4 



Gardening for Amateurs 



to insert one cutting only in a small " thumb " 

 pot. It should not be forgotten that both 

 these plants may be raised from seeds quite 

 easily, and now is a very good time to sow. 

 The average temperature necessary is 60. 



Vines. Pruning should be completed in 

 the early part of this month. The borders 

 may be top-dressed with loam and a little 

 decayed manure after the old top-soil has 

 been cleared away. If very dry give the 

 borders a good soaking. These remarks 

 refer to inside borders, of course, which are 

 generally preferable. 



Peaches under Glass. The pruning and 

 cleaning of Peaches and Nectarines grown 

 under glass should also be finished as soon 

 as possible, as the sap moves early, particu- 

 larly where the presence of other plants 

 renders a little fire-heat necessary. Retain 

 as much of last season's matured growth as 

 room can be found for without overcrowding, 

 as on this fruit is produced. In cleaning the 

 trees with Gishurst Compound which is 

 recommended great care is necessary, or 

 many buds will be removed accidentally. 



THE FRUIT GARDEN 

 Protecting Figs. In warm districts Figs 

 thrive in the open without protection, but in 

 colder localities they are usually planted 

 against walls. In such cases protection is 

 advisable during severe weather, and this 

 can be easily given. Cover the trees with 

 mats, bags, or even bracken for this purpose, 

 seeing that whatever is used is securely 

 fastened to the branches. 



Pruning. This work should be pushed 

 forward now, but keep off the ground when 

 it is very wet unless boards are used to stand 

 on. There is, of course, an advantage in 

 getting pruning done during mild weather, 

 for the work is far from pleasant during 

 frosty periods, although the notion that the 

 trees are liable to be damaged by cutting 

 during hard weather is probably somewhat 

 far-fetched. When nailing shoots to walls 

 or tying them to trellis or wires allow a 

 small margin for the subsequent increase in 

 their size. Branches may also be examined 

 at the same time to see that they are not 

 being cut by old ties, as not infrequently 

 they are killed in this way. 



Bush Fruits. The pruning of these, 



especially Currants and Gooseberries, is often 

 neglected, yet the results fully warrant the 

 use of the pruning knife annually. Rasp- 

 berries, Loganberries and Blackberries should 

 be pruned immediately the crop is gathered, 

 the old wood being then removed entirely 

 and the young growths retained, as these 

 will bear the crop the succeeding season. 

 If this was done it only remains now to thin 

 the young canes where they are too numerous, 

 by removing the weakest or those placed 

 badty. Those left are then secured to wires 

 or stakes, as the case may be. 



Gooseberries. These popular fruits soon 

 get into a bad state if pruning is over- 

 looked, but as they continue to bear in a 

 way the matter is not easily brought home 

 to the owner. Fruit is produced largely on 

 the previous year's shoots, but also from 

 spurs, so that the best results are obtained 

 by thinning out the branches well. It is 

 best to remove a few of the oldest branches 

 entirely when dealing with neglected bushes, 

 but as hard cutting causes vigorous growth, 

 pruning should be repeated annually once 

 it is commenced. 



Currants. Black Currants need different 

 treatment from the Red and White sorts 

 as regards pruning, for whereas the former 

 bear on one-year old shoots, the latter fruit 

 from spurs. Black Currants really require 

 very little pruning, but a few of the older 

 branches should be removed when they can 

 be replaced by younger growths. The Red 

 and White varieties may be " spurred " back, 

 i.e. cut to a couple of buds from the base 

 of the young side shoots annually, unless 

 extension is desired, when they must be 

 allowed to grow accordingly. 



THE KITCHEN GARDEN 

 Seed Order. Perhaps the first matter 

 to receive attention with regard to the 

 vegetable garden is the seed order. The 

 earlier in the month it is made out the better, 

 as by ordering early the rush which always 

 occurs is avoided. Novelties are often sold 

 out quickly, and it is a case of first come, 

 first served. In seeking after novelties, how- 

 ever, do not neglect old and tried kinds ; 

 regard novelties as being only on trial. 

 Remember that the cheapest seeds are often 

 the dearest in the end. 



