382 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



cumbers before the Vines break. If the Vines had been forced 

 before, it would be advisable in February to have used manure 

 once turned before taking it to the house. We were afraid 

 you had the mildew on the weak Vine, and now we feel pretty 

 certain of it. The treatment you are giving is the very best to 

 cause it to spread over the house. Wherever there is the faintest 

 trace of it, dust the part, stems or leaves, with flowers of 

 sulphur, and wash the walls of the house with sulphur and 

 lime. We would also say, daub a little sulphur on the heating 

 medium, but we do not know what it is, and the part so daubed 

 should not be more than 160°; and, therefore, you might easily 

 have it too hot. The means for eradicating the mildew and 

 securing a crop next season will thenceforward be identical— 

 and that is, not refraining from fire heat, and giving air only 

 when the sun shines ; but giving fire heat so as to prevent the 

 atmosphere falling much below 60° without sun, and to permit 

 of air bemg given every day, and if a little at night too all the 

 better. The fact is, that having started the Vines into growth, 

 then allowing them just to take their chance is the best plan 

 for getting no crop next season. — R. F.] 



[ May 26, 1863. 



CLAEKE'S PATENT SCYTHE. 



This simple, handsome, and convenient scythe was sent to 

 us for our opinion, which we now express; but to have it 

 thoroughly tested we sent it to Mr. Cuthbert W. Johnson, and 

 this is his evidence upon the implement : — 



„ _ , '• WaiaroDhyrBt, Croydon, May 19, 1863. 



J. Have much pleasure in bearing testimony to the great 

 excellence of Clarke's Patent Scythe. My gardener is of opinion 

 that no one who has tried Clarke's Scythe will be willing to go 

 back to the old kinds.— Ctjthbeet W. Johnson." 



WOEK EOE THE WEEK. 



KITCHEN GAEDEST. 



Advantage should be taken of the present showery weather 

 to transplant and earth-up all crops that require it, for if done 

 when the sod about them is dry, they will not receive that 

 benefit from ram which they otherwise would do. In pricking- 

 out, or transplanting, particular care to be taken to press the soil 

 close to the roots of the plants, for if left hollow and loose about 

 them, drought will soon stop their growth, or, probably, cause 

 them to perish. Wherever it is convenient to plant with a 

 trowel, it is far preferable to planting with a dibber, as with the 

 latter the roots are either left hollow, or are crushed up to- 

 gether and rendered nearly abortive. This is sometimes the 

 reason why plants of the same sowing vary so much in their 

 growth; m one case the plants are pulled up and deprived of 

 half their roots and carelessly planted, in the other they are dug 

 up with care, and are then transplanted and watered/and pro- 

 gress favourably. Asparagus, keep the surface of the beds free 

 from weeds. Where the supply from the established beds is 

 abundant, the weakest heads may now be allowed to grow, they 

 are not so likely to keep strong buds latent, as if strong ones 

 are allowed to run up to maturity. Broccoli, prick-out into 

 nursery-beds any that are sufficiently advanced in growth. Sow 

 a full crop of Cape and Grange's Early White. Cabbage, where 

 they were planted in the autumn at a foot apart in the rows, 

 every alternate plant should be pulled up as required for use, 

 this will give those remaining space to attain perfection. 

 Cardoons, sow a late full crop. Plant out the early crops ; if they 

 were sown in a seed-bed choose a rich piece of ground for the 

 purpose. _ It will not be necessary to plant largely of the first 

 crop, as it soon runs to seed. Celery, plant some of the most 

 forward into trenches, keep it well watered in dry weather. 

 Continue to prick out from the seed-beds for late crops. Endive, 

 make a small sowing. The sowing for the mam crop to be made 

 about the middle of next month. Dwarf Kidney Beans, earth- 

 up those that have been planted out, and sow again. Lettuce, 

 make a sowing of two or three sorts, by such means the season 

 of one sowing is prolonged. The Paris Cos is a very good sum- 

 mer sort. Potatoes, as soon as they appear above ground to be hoed 

 Detvreen to loosen the earth, and to destroy weeds. Turnips, 

 make a good sowing for early autumn use. Thin-out the ad- 

 vancing crops. Vegetable Marrows, plant-out this very useful 

 2™™ ? rlch Piece of ground, where there is plenty of 

 &X ir P nts t0 £">*■ Sea -* a le, thin-out the buds so as not 

 to auow them to crowd each other, and water once or twice during 

 tne summer wvth a weak solution of salt and water, which will 





benefit the plants and dislodge snails and other vermin. Two 

 ounces of salt to a gallon of water will be sufficient. Trench-up 

 every spare part of the garden for the first plantations of winter 

 stuff. Let it be trenched 2 feet deep in the first instance, after 

 which give a coat of manure, and dig it in ; when the plants are 

 fit the ground will be ready for planting with Broccoli, Brussels 

 Sprouts, Kale, &c. The former to be planted 2 feet apart each 

 way, if fine heads are desired ; the other two Borts will do well 

 with a few inches less space. After they are planted to be pro- 

 tected from slugs by placing a ring of hot lime around each pktnt. 



HOWEB GARDEN. 

 All annuals should be thinned-out as soon as they are above 

 ground, for if left to grow too thickly they spoil one another, and 

 never make half the display plants do that are allowed plenty 

 of space, and which are grown strongly from the first. After the 

 bedding-out is accomplished, a reserved stock should be taken 

 in hand to receive high cultivation, in order to fill up blanks the 

 moment they occur, either in the houses or in the beds and 

 borders. All the best Verbenas, Fuchsias, Calceolarias (especially 

 shrubby kinds), Petunias, &c, will be found most useful things. 

 Attend to the staking of Pinks- and Carnations as they grow, 

 this will greatly enhance their appearance when in bloom. 



FEUIT GAEDEN. 

 Watch the first attacks of caterpillars on Gooseberry and 

 Currant bushes, and apply dredgings of white hellebore powder 

 when the bushes are wet with morning dew. One application will 

 prove sufficient, if every part of the bush is properly dusted. 

 When black fly has attacked Cherry and other wall trees, give 

 them thorough good waterings with the engine. Use pure water 

 for the first time, which will partially destroy the fly, then apply 

 by the same means a good washing of soapsuds and clear soot 

 water. If prosecuted thus, by repeated applications they will 

 all disappear. 



GREENHOUSE AXD CONSEEYATOET. 

 The young stock of hardrrooded plants should be growinc 

 freely, and will now require careful attention to supply them 

 with a warm and moist atmosphere, and with sufficient air at 

 favourable opportunities to secure short-jointed, and compact 

 growth. Balsams to be frequently shifted into large-sized pots 

 placed in a gentle bottom heat near the glass, with sufficient air 

 to prevent them from being drawn. The Epaerises that have 

 done blooming and are now commencing their growth to be 

 potted, they delight in sandy heath soil. The Chinese Azaleas 

 going out of bloom should have their seed-pods picked off, and 

 such as require more pot-room to be shifted, using rich fibry 

 peat, with a good sprinkling of silver sand. Cinerarias to receive 

 plenty of air to keep the plants in a healthy state without draw- 

 ing the foliage. The green fly to be kept down by tobacco 

 smoke. When stock of a good variety is required, the sooner 

 the plants are headed-down after blooming to within an inch 

 of the pot the better ; they will soon make side shoots, which 

 should be carefully divided with a portion of root to each, and 

 planted singly in a small pot, to be placed in a cold frame, 

 and shaded from bright sunshine. The Chrysanthemum cuttings 

 now in small pots to be transplanted to the open ground 

 15 inches row from row, and plant from plant, to be taken urj 

 in a showery day in autumn, potted, and watered, when they 

 will not feel their moving. Cuttings of Rollisson's Unique 

 Pelargonium that is generally so difficult to strike after mid- 

 summer, will now strike freely in sandy soil in a gentle bottom 

 heat. It is well worthy of attention, producing very large 

 clusters of rich violet or crimson-purple blossoms. It is valuable 

 for grouping, for vases, or for training against a wall. It re- 

 quires to be freely cut back in the winter and spring to encourage 

 lateral growth, and being luxuriant in growth and sparse of 

 branches, it requires to be pegged to the ground when planted 

 in beds. It will be well to bear in mind during the Bummer, 

 that the shape and sturdiness of every plant will depend, in a 

 great measure, upon frequent attention to pinching-out the 

 points of every strong-growing shoot before it gets too long. 

 Also, a liberal supply of good, clear liquid manure to be given 

 occasionally — that is, once or twice a-week, according to the 

 state of the weather, and the healthy or luxuriant growth of 

 the plants, from which it is to be inferred that plants in a sickly 

 state, or such as have been lately potted, will not require it. 

 Indeed, to such it would be a positive injury. To commence 

 with the liquid manure weak, and to increase its strength with 

 the strength of the plants, and the increasing temperature of the 

 summer Bun. W. Keanb. 



