Gardening for Amateurs 



1095 



been secured. Fuchsias, Lobelias, Geraniums, 

 etc., all root freely now, and though boxes 

 will have to be used if large numbers are 

 required, the cuttings root better in pots. 



Pottiiig Geraniums, etc. The cuttings 

 put in during September of similar plants 

 should be well rooted by now, and potting- 

 off needs attention. Pots 3 inches in dia- 

 meter are generally used, and some fairly light 

 soil is best. As the plants will probably 

 have to stand somewhat close together after 

 petting, a light position is essential. 



Potting Perpetual Carnations. It is 

 best to pot young plants of Perpetual-flower- 

 ing Carnations in good time, especially if the 

 cuttings were placed several in a pot. Two 

 parts of loam to 1 of leaf-mould, with suffi- 

 cient sand to keep the whole open, will be 

 suitable. The cuttings rooted singly in pots 

 should be moved into larger ones as soon 

 as the roots show through around the sides. 

 All the points of the growths ought to be 

 pulled out about ten days or a fortnight 

 after potting. On no account do this at 

 the same time as potting. 



THE FRUIT GARDEN 

 Autumn-fruiting Raspberries. These 

 are not so much grown as they might be, 

 but they provide a useful succession to 

 the summer kinds usually grown. They 

 ripen during September and October, when 

 such small fruits are generally over. They 

 may be grown in practically the same way 

 as ordinary Raspberries, except as regards 

 pruning. The fruit is produced on young 

 growths, whereas the summer -fruiting Rasp- 

 berries bear on canes made the previous 

 season. The old canes of autumn-fruiting 

 kinds are cut down during this month, and 

 they will soon be replaced by others, which 

 must be thinned if too numerous, and 

 secured to wires or stakes in the ordinary 

 way. 



Pruning Gooseberries. Owing to the 

 damage birds do to the buds of Gooseberries 

 during winter many defer the necessary 

 pruning until as late a date as possible. 

 They need attention towards the end of 

 February, as the buds will then be on the 

 point of bursting. A good deal of thinning 

 is necessary every year with this fruit, other- 

 wise the growths become absolutely matted 



together, and the business of gathering the 

 fruit is difficult. Bushes that have been 

 neglected can usually be rejuvenated if a 

 few of the older branches are cut out to the 

 base. They will then make vigorous growth, 

 and a good crop should result the following 

 year. 



Loganberries. These are becoming more 

 popular, and where room can be found for 

 a few roots they soon repay the cost and 

 trouble of planting. They are among the 

 most profitable of the small fruits in cultiva- 

 tion ; the berries are fine, and produced in 

 profusion, while the fact that birds seldom 

 touch the fruit, thus rendering netting un- 

 necessary, is a point in their favour. Logan- 

 berries thrive under similar treatment to 

 Raspberries, but they need much more 

 room, and also stronger supports must 

 be provided, as growth is exceptionally 

 vigorous. 



Blackberries. Blackberries are gener- 

 ally regarded solely as wild fruits, and sel- 

 dom is a thought given to their possibilities 

 under garden cultivation. But those who 

 have tried them are usually enthusiastic over 

 the results. There is no comparison be- 

 tween the berries produced in the garden and 

 others gathered from the hedgerow. They 

 will, of course, give the best returns treated 

 after the manner of Raspberries ; but they 

 will not fail if planted in a corner, per- 

 haps as a screen, or because nothing else 

 suggests itself as likely to thrive in that 

 particular spot. 



THE KITCHEN GARDEN 

 Broad Beans. Another sowing of a 

 good Longpod variety may be got in, and 

 the quantity sown may be considerably in- 

 creased as compared with previous sowings, 

 as there is little risk in sowing now. Keep 

 those sown in boxes in cold frames growing 

 along sturdily by the free admittance of air 

 whenever outside conditions will allow, but 

 see that they are kept safe from frost. 



Peas. A sowing of Gradus or other ap- 

 proved early variety may be made outside 

 now, preferably in a sheltered position. Sow 

 only when the ground is in a fit state for the 

 work, as the gardener gains nothing, but 

 usually loses much, by working against the 

 weather. It is advisable to sprinkle all Peas 



