1058 



Gardening for Amateurs 



them against cold winds. Plants in pots 

 need careful watering, and they should be 

 grown as hardily as possible by ventilating 

 whenever the day is favourable. 



IN THE GREENHOUSE 

 Winter Geraniums. In a greenhouse 

 that can be kept dry and fairly warm during 

 winter Geraniums will make a bright and 

 prolonged display. Those possessing old 

 plants which have passed out of bloom should 

 propagate now to secure fine plants by the 

 autumn. Take off the tops of the shoots 

 about 3 inches in length, trim them beneath 

 a joint, and insert firmly in pots of very sandy 

 soil, several being placed round the sides of 

 each. Very little water is needed, and the 

 cuttings should stand on a shelf in a light 

 position. Single-flowered varieties give most 

 satisfaction for winter blooming. 



Schizanthus. Young plants growing in 

 small pots should not be allowed to become 

 pot-bound before being removed into the 

 5-inch size. Use open soil for potting, and 

 disturb the roots as little as possible. Water- 

 ing will need extra care for some time follow- 

 ing potting. These lovely plants succeed best 

 in a light position in a greenhouse from which 

 frost is kept out and no more. Where pinch- 

 ing is practised wait until the plants recover 

 from the repotting before doing this. 



Starting Begonias. The tuberous Be- 

 gonias to be grown in pots should be started 

 into growth. This is accomplished by placing 

 the tubers in boxes of light sandy soil or 

 leaf-mould, so that the tops are barely 

 covered, and putting the boxes in a warm 

 corner. Do not water until growth is ad- 

 vanced somewhat, but keep the surroundings 

 moist by means of daily syringeing. On bright 

 days spray them over several times. 



Chrysanthemums from Seed. Although 

 usually propagated from cuttings, Chrysan- 

 themums are just as easily raised from seed, 

 and they flower the same season as sown. 

 Now is a good time to sow, using light soil 

 for the purpose. If the pots or pans are kept 

 covered with sheets of glass the seedlings 

 will soon appear, and before they are very 

 large they should be pricked out, preferably 

 round the sides of pots. Pot them into 

 separate pots as required and subsequently 

 grow in the ordinary way 



A Useful Table Plant. Cyperus alter- 

 nifolius is a useful plant alike for table decora- 

 tion or for greenhouse purposes, and quite 

 handsome plants may be grown in 4 -inch 

 pots, but they need abundant supplies of 

 water, and therefore free drainage. The 

 plants are increased by means of cuttings 

 made of the whorls of leaves with short stems 

 attached, or very easily by seeds sown now 

 in an ordinary greenhouse temperature. 



Peaches Flowering. As soon as Peaches 

 commence flowering under glass all the air 

 possible should be admitted, allowing for 

 the weather, of course. Maintain a drier 

 atmosphere and assist fertilisation by passing 

 a rabbit's tail over the blossoms daily, about 

 midday when the pollen is likely to be dry 

 being the best time. 



THE FRUIT GARDEN 



Pruning Peaches. The pruning of 

 Peaches and Nectarines out of doors is often 

 left until February, but the work should not 

 be deferred later than the first half of this 

 month or much damage will probably be done 

 to the swelling buds. Briefly, these trees 

 bear their crops on well-ripened wood made 

 during the previous season, so that these are 

 the shoots reqmred to furnish a good tree. 

 Any older branches that can be replaced by 

 young ones should be cut out entirely. Do 

 not overcrowd the young growths, even 

 though they are very plentiful ; lay them in 

 about 4 inches apart. Very vigorous shoots 

 should not be retained unless this is essential. 

 Only the tops of the young shoots need re- 

 moving, but cut to a thin-pointed bud a 

 wood bud. 



Apricots. These also should receive im- 

 mediate attention if they have not yet been 

 pruned. Although young shoots should be 

 nailed or tied in where space admits, the 

 trees bear chiefly on older spurs. The trees 

 are generally studded with spurs, and if 

 these are not very long they need not be 

 cut, but others, as well as young growths 

 which it is desired to convert into fruiting 

 spurs, are cut back to three or four buds from 

 the base. Remove very weak, sappy shoots, 

 and extra strong growths. 



Spraying Fruit Trees. The value of 

 winter spraying of fruit trees is now recog- 

 nised by all large growers, but the amateur 



