3S6 



JOURNAL OP HORTICULTUBE AND COTTAGB aAEDENEB. 



[ April 25, 1865. 



gronnd thoroughly prepared by trenching and manuring — 

 say in rows 2 I'ect apart and 1 foot asunder in the tows, and 

 watered occasionally should the weather prove dry. By 

 ittention to this early and strong: runners may be obtained, 

 wJiich will form strong and well-matured plants in early 

 autumn, leaving them ample time for rest before the forcing 

 season commences. Examine frequently gratts, removing 

 on every occasion the wild shoots. Search for and destroy 

 eaterpillais which frequently commit serious injury to the 

 young shoots. Continue moderately the disbuddiug of 

 Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots. When Vines have 

 pushed sufficiently to distinguish the fruit-bearing shoots, 

 let all superfluous ones be immediately removed. The 

 blossom of Peaches and Nectarines is so thick that I should 

 ■tiggeit the propriety of removing a por-tion, but perhaps it 

 may be said, Let us wait and see what frost will do, as it 

 ■eems very much incUned to postpone its departure. 



FLOWEE GAEDEN. 



The flower-beds should be dug and fully prepared for the 

 reception of the usual summer plants some time previous to 

 planting. Finish, if not already done, the pruning of those 

 summer Roses which were left unpruned for the purpose of 

 retarding their bloom. Insects, especially the green fly and 

 Rose caterpillar, will now be making their appearance 

 amongst the Roses. Pay due attention to Ten-week Stocks, 

 Aflters, and Marigolds. If not alieady done, hardy annuals 

 should be sown after the first shower, and do not forget 

 plenty of Mignonette, the fragrance of which will always 

 render it a favourite. 



QEEENHOtrSE AN1> C'ONSEBVATOET. 



See that climbers and all plants of rambling habit have 

 due attention in regard to stopping, water, &c. Camellias 

 forced into wcol should have a trifling check as soon as the 

 young leaves have attained their full size. This is best ac- 

 complished by diminishing the supply of water at the root. 

 Continue, however, to shade and ayringe morning and eveu- 

 iag. IMargoniums and Calceolarias must he kept moist 

 and free from the green fly. A few cuttings of the first 

 may be put in for autumn flowering. Syringe occasionally 

 Camellias, Rhododendrons, and Indian Azaleas after flower- 

 ing, and shade from the effects of bright sunshine. Continue 

 to pot off Dahlias. 



STOVE. 



See that growing Orchids have due attention as regards 

 shading and atmospheric moisture. Recently imported 

 Orchids require very cautious treatment. Water is out of 

 the question here, they will rot directly. A moderate 

 temperature should be used; 60" w;ll suffice at first, and 

 coming out of darkness they should have a very ra'de- 

 rite amount of light. Attend to training the slioots of 

 stove twiners as they advance, and do not allow them to 

 become entangled before giving them attention ; also attend 

 to the training and stopping of other plants, and aiford free- 

 growing subjects plenty of pot room. Achimenes and 

 Gloxinias, filling their pots with roots, will enjoy an occa- 

 sional watering with weak manure-water. Repot and pro- 

 pagate Begonias. Persevere in keeping down insects which, 

 if allowed, will now progress with great rapidity. 



PITS AND FBA3IEB. 



AU that can safely be done in the way of hardening off 

 stock prep.nratory to its being planted out is to give as much 

 air as circumstances will admit without injuring the plants, 

 and to place Calceolari.ns and the strongest Verbenas in turf 

 pita, where they can be securely protected at night and 

 sheltered from drying winds; and such things, when removed 

 to cold pits should be planted in light soil, which will save 

 trouble in waterini;, and be much batter for the plants than 

 keeping them confined in small pots. Tender annuals that 

 have been ruiied in heat sl.ould be pricked out in light noil, 

 under glass, in order to have them strong before planting- 

 out time. — W. Keanb. 



DOINGS OP THE LAST WEEK. 



KJTCHEN OARDENT. 



Cut lots of AHparngua, the warm rains having brought it 

 up fast and tender. What wan planU-d lately ia also coming 

 on wcU. Throw some asbea and charred refuse over all the 



young plants, as a reminder to slugs that they are not 

 wanted. As yet thoy have not shown themselves much this 

 season. The long winter has either killed many or made them 

 burrow deeper ; but if the latter, we may expect the warmth 

 to bring them to the surface, to afford some exercise for 

 watchfulness. The best method for keeping them away is 

 c instant surface stirring. The best baits for enticing lota 

 of them to congregate are greased cabbage leaves and a 

 small handful of brewer's grains ; but to ca'ich them when 

 thus luxuriating you must go to the leaves and grains with 

 a lantern when other people are in bed. Some of the best 

 kitchen-garden cropping we ever saw was at Bicton ; but, 

 then, who ever cauglit Mr. Barnes asleep ? We have heard a 

 tale of one of his young men, who was resolved to have the 

 honour of awakening the veteran, actually sitting up until the 

 short hour had struck, and tlien on calling him being iliscom- 

 fited with the reply, "I have just got my coat to put on." 

 Pew men jiossess such an iron constitution, and even lie may 

 be unequal to such wear and tear now. Gardens, however, 

 will soon tell a talo if managed entirely by six-o'clock men. 



Watered Cauliflowers under hand-lights with manure 

 water. Cut pretty well the last of those that were grown in 

 largish pots in winter; but now Broccoli is coming m freely, 

 and, therefore, we can do very well till the first unJer glasses 

 come in. Planted-out more, and pricked out those spring- 

 sown. From this time until the middle of July we generally 

 sow a pinch of seed every fortnight, as we find if best to 

 plant often and but few at a time, in order to secure a con- 

 stant supply of fine young heads. The larger spring plant- 

 ing affords plenty for pickling, &c. To avoid placing Kidney 

 Beans in vineries, &c., cleared a part of a pit, where there ia 

 a hot-water pipe, and top-dressed the pots with old Mush- 

 room-dung, and then plunged the pots in a bed of leaves, so 

 as to lessen watering. The roots may run in the leaves aa 

 they like. Sowed also a lot in four-inch pots, part of which, 

 when the yjlants are stubby and the points picked out, will 

 be planted in earth in a similar pot, and put in an earth-pit 

 with protection in severe weather. Sowed, also, a border for 

 the first crop out of doors. Cleared most of the Radishes 

 from tlie Carrot-frame to give air and light to the latter. 

 Pricked-off Celery into boxes and pots ; did the same with 

 Chilis, Capsicums, &c. Banked-up Cucumber-frames. Hard- 

 ened-cff Potatoes in frames that wo may shortly use the 

 glass for other purposes. Planted some more Rhubarb, and 

 divided that which had been forced in the Muslirooin-house. 

 If Rhubarb seed is now sown in well-stirred rich soil it will 

 make strong roots by the autumn. Plenty of Rhubarb, Sea- 

 kale, and Asparagus in winter, with some blanched Swedish 

 Turnip-tops, enable the gardener to give a variety. Earthed 

 down the last piece of a Mushroom-bed, which we will have 

 in the house this season. For this bed we used sods LVinch 

 thick, the grass side downwards, and a little loam in the 

 interstices and scattered over all. We have done so often 

 before, and thou^rh tlie produce was good, we did not think 

 the crops were finer than from soiling over in the usual 

 way. Our last sumuicr's bed under the thatched shed, open 

 on one side, is even now doing well. It was mostly un- 

 covered in winter, and we wero wheeling the remains out 

 for flower-beds, but we tliought the spawn was sufficiently 

 fi-esh to do more work. A part, therefore!, was cleared on 

 the surface, wati;rcd with manure water at about 75°, and 

 covered over with dry hay and a little litter, and now it is 

 white witli MuBhrooms. The bulk if that bed was mado 

 wiih stubble and litter, with a casing of droppings on tho 

 Burfice. It is of no use, therefore, being so exc-ssively par- 

 ticul.ar about materials. Wo like droppings from tho hor8» 

 and a portion of litter best. 



paniT oAHDEN. 



Proceeded with tying and nailing out of doors. The warm 

 ra.iris have given a start to Strawberries, which are begin- 

 ning to show. Those in pots are now doing well, and swell- 

 ing and ripening freely. When much is done in that way, 

 a Stiawberry-houHC should be provided for them. In vineries 

 &.C., where the roof is nearly covered with foliuge. the Straw- 

 berry plants will swell tlieir fruit, when set elsewhere, but 

 thi-y will neither have the Culnur nor the flavour of those 

 exp'o8i;d to the full action of the sun. Wo are often non- 

 plussed what to do with thi;m, so as to keep u,) a good suc- 

 C'^Bsion nt this season, tho houses where there in heat 

 1 getting too shaded and crowded for them, and shelves at 



