Gardening for Amateurs 



1059 



should also turn his attention to the matter. 

 By regular spraying the trees are kept free 

 from insect pests of all descriptions, and moss 

 and lichen, so often seen growing on the 

 branches, is also killed. This results in 

 healthier growth and the production of finer 

 fruit, and he who omits to spray is really 

 neglecting his own interests. Amateurs are 

 strongly advised to obtain one of the many 

 reliable proprietary washes now advertised, 

 as with these it is almost impossible to go 

 wrong if the accompanying directions are 

 observed. Bordeaux Mixture is largely used 

 for the purpose of spraying, as is a caustic 

 soda wash, and both give good results if 

 applied thoroughly before the buds start 

 into growth. 



Apple Canker. This disease is only too 

 well known to Apple growers, and it is one 

 of the most difficult to deal with effectually. 

 The first point is to plant only varieties 

 which are fairly healthy in the locality, and 

 afterwards take great care when pruning, 

 gathering the fruit, or otherwise attending 

 to the trees, not to bruise or cut the bark in 

 #,ny way, as this is how Canker commences. 



THE KITCHEN GARDEN 

 Ground Work. This work should be 

 pushed forward and completed as soon as 

 possible now. Tap-rooted vegetables, such as 

 Beet, Carrots, etc., are best grown on good, 

 deep soil which does not contain any recently 

 added manure. Where Peas are not to 

 follow another crop the trenches may be 

 prepared at once, also those for Runner 

 Beans. Leave the surface rough. 



Spring Cabbages. If the bed of Cabbages 

 intended for spring use has suffered from the 

 depredations of slugs, gaps should now be 

 filled with strong plants from the seed-bed. 

 If required another lot can be planted, and 

 these will not be far behind those put in last 

 autumn. Slugs will even now be trouble- 

 some in mild weather, but a dusting of soot 

 will check them. 



Early Potatoes. For those having the 

 necessary convenience it is a good plan to 

 grow a few Potatoes for the earliest supply 

 in pots in the greenhouse. Crock the re- 

 quired number of 7- or 8-inch pots, and fill 

 them to about two-thirds of their depth with 

 a compost consisting mainly of good loam, 

 with a small proportion of old manure or 

 leaf-soil added. Plant one w r ell-sprouted 

 tuber in each pot, and place them on the 

 staging near the glass. When growth is 

 about 6 inches high apply a top-dressing of 

 good soil ; the object of using only partly 

 filled pots now is to leave room for this. 

 Give air carefully whenever possible, and 

 support the growths later on should they 

 need it. 



Shallots. In common with other mem- 

 bers of the Onion family, Shallots succeed 

 best on good ground, although they are often 

 planted without any preparation of the soil. 

 Now is a good time to plant, and they must 

 be placed 9 inches apart in rows 12 inches 

 asunder. Do not bury them, but make 

 only siifficiently firm to prevent the wind 

 blowing them out of the soil in exposed 

 places. 



Brussels Sprouts. For an early supply 

 of " buttons '' it is necessary to sow under 

 glass, either in a greenhouse or a cold frame. 

 Sow in boxes, choosing a reliable variety 

 such as Dwarf Gem for the purpose. If 

 sown in the greenhouse, transfer to a frame 

 soon after germination has taken place, as it 

 is essential to grow the plants strongly ; if 

 left in warmth they are bound to become 

 drawn and weakly, and will be none the 

 earlier for this. 



Forcing Dwarf Beans. - - Amateur 

 growers will find forcing easier now with 

 lengthening days, and provided a minimum 

 temperature of 60 degrees can be maintained 

 Dwarf Beans may be sown. Sow eight seeds 

 of Canadian Wonder in each 8-inch pot, only 

 half-filled with rich soil, to allow of top 

 dressing subsequently. 



