September 21, 1871J 



JOUENAL OF HOETICULTDEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 



223 



■when the pots should be introdnced into heat in a Pine pit, 

 Melon or Caoumber frame, where there will be a bottom heat 

 of about 80°, with top heat in proportion. The roots, if they 

 have been properly oared for or attended to, will Boon show 

 their young growths as thick as a mat, and when they have 

 sprung from 2 to 3 inches take and divide them into email bits 

 with shoots to each ; pot in 3 or 4-inch pots in sandy fibrous 

 loam and peat in equal parte, to which a good sprinkling of 

 silver sand has been added. Put them back again in the Pine 

 Melon, or Cucumber pit, for a time, or until the pots are 

 well filled with healthy roots, then repot before they become 

 pot-bound. If time is plentiful use 6-inch pots ; but you will 

 Lave now reached the 1st of April, when there is generally 

 plenty of work on hand, so they should be transferred to 10-inoh 

 pots, using the same sort of soil, with the addition of a small 

 portion of well-decayed cow or deer manure. When this last 

 potting is over place the pots in an early vinery, where they 

 will not be too far from the glass, and where they will have 

 plenty of light. Be careful not to use cold water ; always use 

 water of at least the same temperature as the house in which 



they are placed. I prefer it to be warmer, say 80°, which should 

 be about the root temperature if the pots are placed on a shelf 

 over the hot-water pipes, as is the plan here. Water sparingly, 

 syringe slightly, and keep the plants exposed to light. On no 

 account allow them to get drawn ; rather stop the tops, so that 

 they may throw out more young shoots. 



" We have now arrived at the 1st of May, when we look out 

 our lights, four in number, 9 feet by 3 feet, and, if neeesBaiy, 

 have them painted and glazed, so as to have them in good 

 order and as nearly air-tight as possible. We then turn over 

 our leaf heap, and make up a good bed of sweet, warm, oak or 

 other leaves, 3 or 4 feet deep, and well line outside the rough 

 wooden pit, which is a fixture of about 6 feet deep at the back 

 by 4 feet in front, and is made up of rough deal slabs, with a 

 level planed piece of deal top and bottom, so that the lights 

 fit properly, and exclude cold air. 



" We have then our 10-inch pots all ready, and plunge them' 

 quickly to the rims, taking care the bottom heat does not 

 exceed 90°. This formidable operation, or rather simple one, 

 being accomplished, the summer treatment is precisely the 



same as that given to sueoession Pines- — 80° to 90° bottom 

 heat ; top heat may range between 70° at night to 100°, or even 

 112° by day, with air and moisture. 



" Attend well to sprinklings and waterings — the plants will 

 enjoy liquid manure, properly diluted, occasionally ; that from 

 deer dung is proper. 



" Stop the shoots when they reach the glass, taking car© 

 that only a few are so stopped at a time ; but they are ther 

 better of not being overcrowded." 



At the earliest opportunity we purpose publishing the ""Cata- 

 logus Lignosus Bietonensis," with Mr. Begbie'a experience itj 

 raising seedling Conifers. 



WORK FOR THE WEEK. 



EITCEEN SAEDEN. 



As soon as that portion of land intended for trenching falls 

 in hand, let that operation be set about. Stiff tenacious soils 

 had better be ridged, so that a large surface may be exposed to 

 the action of the weather. Let all the remaining summer 

 Cabbages of a solid character be cut-over in order to obtain a 

 good Buooessiou of sprouts. The late sowing of Brown Dutch 

 Lettuce should be got in without delay. The cultivation of 

 Watercress should not be omitted in the series of salads. A 

 damp shady border is not unsuitable, but wherever the advantage 

 of a small stream is possessed preference should be given. If 

 the trimmings from the bunches are thrown in throughout the 

 season a regular supply of fresh young Cress may be obtained. 



FRDIT OAKDEN. 



Those who have not completed Strawberry planting should 

 do so. The proUfic Hantbois planted now 6 inches apart on 



well-manured beds will sncceed well. The housing of frnitr 

 should now have constant attention. Let it be borne in mind' 

 that it is not requisite to gather all dessert Pears or Apples, 

 from a tree at one period, it is far better to collect them at 

 two distinct periods ; a' more complete succession would be' 

 obtained by such means, 



FLOWEE GAKEEN. 



Hollyhocks and Dahlias will still require occasional looking- 

 after to secure them against the effects of high winds which, 

 may now be expected. Unless seed is wanted cut away decayed 

 flowers and useless shoots, for, although late, every care should, 

 be taken to preserve them in beauty for as long a time as th& 

 season will permit. Herbaceons plants will likewise require 

 the stalks of decayed flowers removed, and such as are still in 

 bloom carefully tied-up. Asters, some Phloxes, &c., will now 

 be making a fine show, and should havfi corresponding care 



