310 



JOtJENAL OF HORTICULTUfiE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 



^ A.pril 18; UBS. 



the glass instead of going through it. The number of pipes 

 given for a 15-feet-wide house by Mr. Thomson also seems 

 large ; but then he has no doubt found out that a first 

 expense for piping was a gain in the end, and a constant 

 saving of fuel, as with such piping it is never required that 

 the water should become so hot as when a less number of 

 feet of piping is used. Although we have not worked any- 

 thing like that amount of piping ourselves, we have no 

 hesitation in saying that for a hundred feet of jiiping less 

 there would soon be a greater outlay for fuel, and in pro- 

 portion to the extra heat given to the piping would be the 

 greater unhealthiness of the enclosed atmosphere. For 

 early forcing mere width will not compensate for a roof, on 

 which the winter's sun exerts most power. "We wish our 

 correspondent every success in his attempt- to reduce such 

 matters to something like mathematicaj correctness and 

 decision, but circumstances must ever alter cases. — E. F.j 



WORK FOR THE WEEK. 



KITCHEN 6AEDEN. 



The regulating of Box and other plants used for edgings 

 to the walks, and for dividing the different quarters of the 

 kitchen garden, having been effected, the gravel-walks should 

 either be turned over or a coat of fresh material added, 

 having previously loosened the old surface. Let the whole 

 be levelled and well rolled, repeating this, particularly after 

 rain, till they become perfectly solid. In reforming them 

 curve them slightly in the middle for rain to pass easily to 

 the sides, but not more than this, unless in very wet situa- 

 tions. The walks being thus set right, and the edgings in 

 proper order, an appearance of neatness and good keeping 

 will pervade the whole. Capsicums, repot the plants of the 

 larger varieties intended for turning out next month, harden 

 them off when they have taken fresh roothold. The small 

 sort, commonly called Chilies, should also be potted in rich 

 soil as they require it, and be kept in a forcing or warm 

 house. Carrots, the frames may be removed from the early 

 sowing if required for other purposes ; thin and water them 

 as may appear necessary. Celery, some of the earliest sow- 

 ing that has been pricked into boxes may now be planted 

 in a frame ; no artificial heat is required, but the light must 

 remain if the weather become cold. Prick-out the succes- 

 sional sowings. Ciicumhers, constant attention must be paid 

 to stopping and giving air. Add fresh linings and fork them 

 np frequently, which will preserve a moderate heat in the 

 beds for some time, and will render a large quantity of fresh 

 dung unnecessary at any one time. Dwarf Kidney Beans, 

 make a sowing on a south border for the first crop. Lettuce, 

 forward the spring-sown plants where there is a scarcity of 

 the autumn-sown ones ; water them in dry weather, and 

 keep the soil about them loosened. I'eas, earth-up and stick 

 the advancing crops ; before earthing use soot for the pur- 

 poses we have before recommended. Radishes, make a sowing 

 of the Turnip-rooted kinds; water those in frames when dry. 

 Ithuljarb, seed should now be sown to produce roots for 

 fordiig. 



FEirrr gabden. 



In the case of several of our cultivated fruit trees ex- 

 perience has abundantly proved that the removal at an early 

 stage of their growth of shoots, which from the adoption 

 of a system of training, or a tendency in the tree to exces- 

 sive luxuriance, are deemed superfluous, is both advan- 

 tageous to the health of the tree and favourable to the 

 production of handsome fruit. Pruning may effect the 

 result desired, but it ia a violent remedy, although neces- 

 sary in some degree. Disbudding, properly speaking, is the 

 art of preventing the development of useless buds at the 

 expense of those which should be preserved, as it must be 

 more advantageous to check an unnecessary shoot at an 

 early staije than to wait until it has exhausted the tree of a 

 greater or leas quantity of sap. It is, then, not generally 

 advisable to wait until a badly-placed shoot is developed, 

 but to suppress it early. With Apples and Pears peculiar 

 judgment and diacTimination are necessary, and stopping 

 should be systematically practised. The excess of shoots 

 produced by Peach trees invites the practice we recom- 

 mend. The same attention should be directed to Vines. 



FLOWEK GAKDEX. 



Here too much unnecessary growth may be prevented. 

 Eoses, for example, if judiciously disbudded, not only bloom 

 better, but form finer and more vigorous plants. Where the 

 possessors of gardens can enjoy their country seats, during 

 the months of March, April, and May, it becomes an im- 

 portant matter to provide abundance of very early spring 

 flowers, for the floral appetite is generally of an active cha- 

 racter after a long and severe winter. The early-flowering 

 bulbs are too well known to need notice here. There are, 

 however, a few old-fashioned plants which should never be 

 lost sight of, and which should greet the returning spring 

 from every nook and corner. Of such things are the fol- 

 lowing : — The blue and white Squills, the Sisyrinchiums, 

 the Dog's-tooth Violets, the Pulmonarias, the Omphalodes 

 verna, the Arabis and Aubrietias, the various PrimiUas, with 

 self Auriculas, and the lovely little Sanguinaria canadensis, 

 not forgetting the old Christmas Eose, which forms, as it 

 were, the connecting link between the expiring year and its 

 successor. The Colchicums, autumn Cyclamens, and Winter 

 Aconite have duly ushered it in. Such should be much more 

 encouraged than they have been, for they must ever be 

 favoui-ites with the many. Among shrubs, too, the Cornus 

 mascula, the Mezereon, the Cydonia japoniea, the Chimo- 

 nanthus fiagrans, the Eibes, Corchorus, &c., should be much 

 encouraged. Stocks, as a matter of course. wiU always be 

 grown, and we recommend a trial of the Chrysanthemum- 

 flowered Asters, which have bright and distinct colours for 

 beds, with the advantage of having erect flowers. Do not 

 forget to make one or two sowings of Sweet Peas, to keep 

 up a succession of bloom. 



GREENHOUSE AND CONSEETATOET. 



Camellias making wood should have occasional shading ; 

 keep a moist atmosphere about them day and night, or they 

 wUl grow gawky and long-jointed; a temperature of 55" at 

 night and 65° by day should be maintained. Let all Pelar- 

 goniums, Calceolarias, Cinerarias, &c., be well staked out in 

 due time, removing inferior plants, or those of a successive 

 character, to any of the ordinary plant-structures. Kalo- 

 sinthes will require neatly tying-out, as these plants form 

 beautiful globular-shaped specimens by a little management. 

 Fuchsias will require a second shift, which should now be 

 into their blooming-pots, using a light rich soil for the 

 purpose. The same will suit Scarlet Geraniums growing for 

 specimens. At this busy season there is great danger 

 of neglecting winter-blooming plants, such as Epacrises, 

 Daphnes, &c. ; but if these are to be had in anything like 

 perfection next season, they must be properly cared for now. 

 Show-houses are generally kept too close and warm for 

 Epacrises and Heaths, and in that case they should be re- 

 moved to the gi-eenhouse as soon as they are out of flower, 

 affording them a rather damp and shady situation for a few 

 weeks. While diying winds and bright sunshine prevail, 

 considerable attention will be necessary to maintain a moist 

 healthy atmosphere in tlie conservatory, and no effort neces- 

 sary to secure this should be spared ; for it is hopeless to 

 expect flowers to last in a dry warm atmosphere. A thin 

 shade sliould be used to break the force of the sun, and in 

 giving air every care should be taken to avoid drying cur- 

 rents, opening the top ventilators only, as long as these will 

 suffice to prevent too high a temperature ; and every available 

 surface of bed or border should be kept constantly moist, in 

 order to secure plenty of evaporation to counteract the drying 

 effects of the external atmosphere. 



STOVE. 



Make cuttings of stove stock. Do not forget the old 

 Vincas, the Thunbergias, Plumbagos, Justicias, &.C. These, 

 though old-fashioned, contribute much to the general effect. 

 The Orchids are now progressing fast, and will require 

 attention in shading daily, and gradually increasing the 

 humidity of the house, so as to keep pace with the increase 

 of solar light and heat. If the roof is covered with creepers, 

 a little management in training them, to effect a judicious 

 shading of the plants beneath, will save much trouble, and 

 add much to the appearance of the house. See that plants 

 on blocks, or suspended in baskets, are not allowed to got 

 dry. Watch for and keep down insects. Plants in bloom 

 should be removed to a house with a drier atmosphere, to 

 prolong their period of flowering. 



