102 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ August 2, 1877. 



when we are attempting to eradicate insects while they are in 

 full play is this, that with them we also destroy their natural 

 enemies. Thus I have recently noted how numerous were the 

 ladybirds and Syrphi that fell victims during the removal of 

 aphides from plants. This could not be helped ; but if we 

 pushed our warfare against any species to the Btamping-out 

 point we might discover at last that we had stamped out the 

 wrong insect. — J. R. S. C. 



DOINGS OF THE LAST AND WOBK FOR 

 THE PRESENT WEEK. 



KITCHEN GARDEN. 



We were confident that this year oar third sowing of Peas 

 would be a great success, as much pains had been taken in the 

 preparation of the ground. It had not been cropped for some 

 time previously, and was in good condition at the time of Bow- 

 ing, but 



" The best laid schemes of mice and men 

 Gae aft aglee, 

 And leave us nought bat grief and shame 

 For promised joy." 



In fact, we have been ashamed of them, until on a visit to Chis- 

 wick last week we found the Peas under the care of Mr. Barron 

 in much the same condition, and another first-class gardener 

 said that his crop was in the same unsatisfactory state. Part of 

 the crop was watered, and those rows are even worse than the 

 others. It is not easy to say what is the cause of such a failure, 

 aB we have done pretty well with Peas when the weather has 

 been quite as dry in other years. We were so disheartened 

 with our failure that we did not think it worth while to sow for 

 a later crop. What an advantage the Scotch gardeners have 

 over us in this respect. If they are a little later before they 

 gather in early 'summer, they can continue gathering until the 

 frosts cut down the haulm in October. 



There have now been genial showers, which have well 

 moistened the ground and prevented the Potato haulm from 

 dying off prematurely, as it would otherwise have done, as the 

 ground was quite dusty dry. In fact, the growth of some of the 

 later sorts had been checked to that extent that the roots are 

 what is called " growing out," or making a second growth from 

 the tubers which were first formed. The most promising variety 

 of recent introduction is " Schoolmaster." We expect that it 

 will form a valuable succession to the Early Shaws, a variety 

 well known in the London district as the best market round 

 variety. It will come in between the Shaws and Dalmahoy 

 Regents, and promises to be a better cropper than either. 



We have been working the Dutch hoe in amongst all growing 

 crops, especially Coleworts, Brussels Sprouts, Savoys, &c. It is 

 no use expecting such crops to give satisfaction if the ground 

 around the plantB is not kept looBe by frequent hoeing. We 

 would also urge the necessity of great care being taken in the 

 transplanting of all such plants, especially in dry weather. The 

 small fibrous roots are the life of the plants, and how often do 

 we see persons pull the plants out of the seed beds without any 

 care as to whether the roots are wrenched off in the effort or 

 not. Such treatment is most objectionable. To do the plants 

 justice they ought to be pricked-out in beds a few inches apart 

 when the first rough leaf is formed, and the plants should be 

 put out before they are too large, first loosening them with a 

 fork, and instead of planting with a dibber the work may be 

 performed with a small planting trowe), and see that the plants 

 are mado firm about the roots, but not to be choked at the 

 neck, as is not unfrequently done when they are planted care- 

 lessly with a dibber. As the ground is cleared of summer vege- 

 tables we prepare it Dy digging or trenching for the winter crops. 



VINERIES. 



At this season the work in this department is reduced to its 

 minimum ; but no Vines ought to be neglected altogether. We 

 have already alluded to the importance of cleansing the leaves 

 of red spider ; where the fruit has all been gathered the drench- 

 ings with the garden engine must be repeated until the pest is 

 destroyed. Thrips do not attack the leaves so frequently as red 

 Bpider, but if they do so in considerable force the best plan is 

 to close the house and fumigate strongly with tobacco smoke 

 on three successive nights at intervals of three days We were 

 once very much annoyed with thrips attacking onr Vines io the 

 early Muscat house, and were Wo years in quite eradicating 

 them. When the loose bark was removed from the canes in 

 midwinter scores of healthy full-grown insects were found 

 securely nestled under the bark. Of course this was all removed 

 as much as possible, and the canes were well washed with the 

 mixture we recommend at that season, of which the principal 

 part is strong soft-soapy water and flowers of sulphur. A few 

 appeared the next season, but with their appearance the tobacco 

 smoke came into requisition, and since that time no thrips have 

 nestled on our Vine leaves in summer or under the bark in 

 winter. 



It is highly important that Vines in pots intended to be forced 



early should be in a place where the buds can be well plumped 

 up while the leaves are yet green, and the strongest canes 

 require the greatest amount of attention in this respect. When 

 the wood is quite brown and hard throughout the length of the 

 cane intended to be forced, and the eyes are prominent, it is a 

 good plan to place the pots out of doors against a wall facing 

 south or west; but do not allow the soil in the pots to become 

 overdry. We never give any manure water, nor do we surface- 

 dress the pots until the Vines have started into growth next 

 season. 



CUCUMBERS AND MELONS. 



In the remarks on these in the number for July 19th it was 

 stated that artificial heat would not be required for the next 

 six months ; it ought to have been six weeks, and even this 

 applies to the south of England only, as the reports from the 

 north are that the weather is very cold indeed, and it is certain 

 that in our treatment of such plants with ripening fruit we- 

 must adapt our treatment to surrounding circumstances. Young 

 gardeners especially will do well to take notice of the excellent 

 article in last week's number on Melons. Our own experience 

 has been similar to that of " J. W." We have gained first prizeB 

 with green and scarlet-flesh Melons in London, and have, with 

 other fruits that it was necessary to keep longer, been left out 

 without any prizes. The difficulty with us, as we grow but few 

 plants, is to obtain fruit of the proper age on the day of exhi- 

 bition or to present it on the table when it is most wanted. We 

 are not using any artificial heat, aud Cucumbers are producing 

 well and the fruit is of most excellent quality. Melons ripening 

 Bhould have plenty of air admitted, and the house to be kept 

 moderately dry. 



PLANT STOVE AND ORCHID HOUSE. 



With the advent of August the days have very perceptibly 

 diminished in length, and cold nighrs are expected. The influence 

 of the sun's rays have not such a burning effect on the plants, 

 and it is well not to allow the blinds to be down, except to 

 prevent the plants from receiving injury; indeed shading such 

 plants as Ixoras, Stephanotis, and others of this character is 

 very injurious to them after this date. We seldom visit any 

 gardens where the plant stoves are quite free from mealy bug, 

 and our own experience leads us to believe that at this season 

 the past spreads very rapidly indeed. No opportunity ought to 

 be lost in order to destroy it. We generally attack it with soapy 

 water and a sponge, removing the insects, which are easily 

 killed, and then washing off all the woolly substance and filth 

 that may have accumulated. 



Climbing plants, whether permanently trained to the rafters 

 or grown in that way to be afterwards trained to a trellis to 

 form specimens, should have the growths regulated, and these 

 should not bo allowed to twine round the wires, else it is very 

 difficult to remove them afterwards without considerably in- 

 juring them. When climbers are planted out in borders they 

 generally grow too much wood and do not flower freely. The 

 best way to restrain exuberant growth is to withhold water, 

 even to the point of causing the leaves to flag ; this will pro- 

 bably aid in the formation of flower buds, but the drying-up- 

 must not be carried to the point of causing the plants to shed 

 their leaves. The showy Allamanda Schotti not unfrequeDtly 

 runs more to growth than flower. A drier atmosphere and a 

 lower night temperature is desirable for those plants that are 

 entering upon their season of rest for early flowering next year. 



Orchids require very similar treatment as regards temperature 

 and atmospheric moisture to stove plants. Dendrobiums and 

 Cattleyas must have all the light they will endure withoutinjury 

 from the sun. Cattleyas will do without shade altogetber 

 except in days when the sun is scorching hot. Those who have 

 a house devoted entirely to this class of plants will be able to 

 give them the treatment best adapted to their wants, but in our 

 little house we have Anguloas, Odontoglossum eitrosmum,. 

 O. phalienopsis, 0. hastilabium, 0. pulchellum, and others that 

 succeed best in the Cattleya house, but many of them will not 

 bear bo much sun as Cattleyas. If any plants require re- 

 potting it ought to be done at once, else the plants will not 

 become established before the dull dark days of autumn and 

 winter. Some plants which were potted a few weeks agiare 

 making Btrong healthy roots. The cool house requires abuudant 

 supplies of atmospheric moisture ; but this must not be carried 

 to cxceBS, as we find the young growths will damp off under a 

 saturated state of the atmosphere, especially when the shadings 

 are kept on too much. Masdevallias and Odontoglossum crisp lm 

 which were potted early in July are also making very satis- 

 factory progress in the formation of new roots. All plants of 

 this oharacter that require to be kept very moist at the roots 

 require to be repotted oftsner than Cattleyas and Lielias, which 

 do best if the material in which the roots are is kept rather dry. 

 We mostly pot our Cattleyas once in two years, but soma of tbe 

 best growers will allow pUnts to remain in the same comport 

 for at least seven years. They say that as long as the plant 

 continues to make strong flowering growths it is better not to 

 pot it. It is quite certain that if suitable oompost cannot be 

 obtained it is much better to let well alone. If any white soale 



