674 



GARDENERS' MA GAZINE. 



Work for the Week. 



COOL ORCHIDS. 



Attention must now be paid to cleansing the plants and houses, putting every- 

 thing in a condition to pass the greater portion of the winter months. All the light 

 obtainable will now be necessary for the well-being of the plants, and to obtain 

 this the glass should be thoroughly scrubbed outside as well as in so as to remove 

 the coat of dirt that has settled on it ; the inside woodwork should be well cleaned 

 with soft soap, making all sweet and clean, this being done the plants should be 

 sponged, using some safe insecticide, and taking care not to use it too strong. The 

 cleaning of plants is a work which must be done carefully, as newly-potted plants 

 are easily loosened in their pots, and in such a condition it is impossible for 

 them to make satisfactory progress ; then, again, if the plants are not carefully 

 handled the centre leaf of the new growth is sometimes pulled out, or the leaves 

 cracked and broken, which gives them an unsightly appearance. After being 

 sponged and their pots washed the plants should be so arranged that each one 

 will have its equal share of light ; place all hanging plants out of the reach of 

 direct draught from the top ventilators. With regard to the damping of the 

 houses, once a day will in most cases be sufficient, this being done in the morning, 

 providing the weather is mild, and no artificial heat is necessary. Should the 

 nights be frosty and a little fire heat necessary, damping down will be required 

 twice daily as the atmosphere will dry more quickly ; shading can now be 



dispensed with altogether, there not being sufficient power in the sun to do any 

 harm. 



There are a number of orchids that have occupied positions in the cool house 

 during the summer months that will be much better for a little extra warmth 

 during winter, and as the nights are becoming colder, these should now be 

 removed, and suitable positions found for chem. Plants of Miltonia vexillaria 

 should be placed in the most airy part of the house, as it delights in plenty of 

 fresh air. Dendrobium infundibulum and D. Jamesianum should be given a 

 light position to help them to finish up their growths, also Lcelia prsestans which 

 are now showing for flower. Among the oncidiums are O. ornithorhynchum, O. 

 incurvum, O. phymatochilum, O. tigrinum, O. varicosum, and its fine variety, 

 Kogersi, Odontoglossum Krameri, O. cirrhosum, O. Ilarryanum, O. nrevium, 

 Masdevallia toyarenseis, and all of the Chimera section. Vanda Kimballiana and 

 -hrides japonica, are also much better wintered in a warmer temperature. 

 Cypripedium Charlesworthi, C. purpuratum, C Arthureanum, C. Spicerianum, C. 

 insigne, and its varieties are now showing flower buds, and should be supplied with 

 plenty of moisture at the roots, the latter being also much benefited at this season 

 by occasional doses of weak liquid manure, especially large specimens that have 

 their pots filled with roots.— E. Shill, New Hall Hey Gardens. 



CONSERVATORY AND GREENHOUSE. 



The first fortnight in October is generally an anxious time for the plant 

 grower as arrangements have to be made for housing a large portion of his stock, 

 which for some months has either been standing in the open or in cold pits. By 

 this time the last of the chrysanthemums will have been safely housed, and where 

 these were put under cover hurriedly to escape frost their rearrangements often 

 becomes necessary, especially when grown for the production of exhibition flowers, 

 while again those plants of the latest varieties which are so valued for decoration 

 at Christmas and onwards, should be kept by themselves, if possible, and receive 

 such treatment as is calculated to retard the flowers. Over crowding should be 

 avoided, as however well the plants may bloom half their attractiveness is lost 

 should they be minus healthy foliage down to the rim of the pots. Chrysan- 

 themums require careful handling when first brought under cover, as this is 

 a sudden change to what they have been accustomed to, especially in 

 not having the night dews, which proves so invigorating to the leaves 

 lhis, to a certain extent, may be substituted, by slightly dewing the foliage over- 

 head during bright afternoons, but we are not in favour of carrying this to excess, 

 as with less sun and a descending temperature almost nightly there is a danger of 

 setting up the much dreaded mildew if the leaves are dripping with moisture at 

 nightlall. Careful watering and judicious feeding will also claim attention to secure 

 the best results. Other things, however, must not be neglected, and if not already 

 done the stock of violets which have been prepared for flowering in frames should 

 be lilted and placed in their winter quarters at once. It has been a trying summer 

 lor these moisture loving plants. We delayed the planting of ours until we 

 received the much needed rain. Fortunately the plants were put out last March 



w-^ iP 081 ' 1011 W y Were shielded froi n the fierce rays of the sun by tall fig trees. 



With one or two waterings and frequent syringings at sunset, the plants pulled 

 through the trying ordeal, and they are now planted in frames and pits free of red 

 spider with every promise of flowering profusely. No better place can be found 

 tor these favourite flowers than in frames on old hotbeds. Additional soil or leaves 

 should be placed in the frames, so as to bring the plants near the glass. The outside 

 ol the frames can then be banked round with leaves and long litter which not only 

 wards off frost andidrying'winds.ibut a gentle warmth is set up, which, together with 

 the ammonia arising from the manure stimulates growth and keeps red spider at bay, 

 which is not easy when tho plants are grown in light, airy houses. The sashes, 

 ot course, will have to be brought into use when the condition of the weather 

 necessitates u, but until then full exposure is best. In planting the stock preserve 

 ai the best side shoots or runners. Trim these up and dibble them in sandy soil 

 either in a shallow frame or boxes. In March these will have made capital stuf! 

 tor planting out, and if necessary the old plants may be destroyed. 



A 'ums must be brought under cover, but it is only necessary to exclude frost 

 trom these, therefore a cold pit which can be covered with mats will be all that is 

 required to suit them. In handling the pots see that the drainage is clear, and 

 snouid worms have gained an entrance, dislodge these by watering with lime- 

 water. Flanb that are well established, and whose pots are full of roots, may be 

 placed m a warm greenhouse near the glass, and they will throw up some early 

 spatnes. it is a mistake to place bouvardias in a warm house direct from the 



\ lS t su,e to encou rage the formation of weak shoots, and the flowers 

 T « tIemiti « will be of poor quality, and fail to last the usual 

 X nL <> * he |» , Placed in the cool greenhouse, they prove more 

 te^Z^oo\ t Z^: a f, hou gh considered as stove plants, are managed much 

 Sivs to dev J™!u JUSt l,efore bracts form, when additional warmth 



KVat^lTdoTune^t?. t timC thC -ttings were rooted in a very genrle 

 cool, airy pit, with the full f" ce t „ b f e t f resent ftl! . Sll! 



sturdy and retain their le ueV v • ^ C1 ° g Y arran ^ d ' the 7 ,emaIn f 

 these. It would serv - - Now ls the time to commence feeding the roots of 



remain outside longer C l?K g u P ur P ose to allow camellias and Azalea indica to 

 would be continuallv hl™;^ 8 u they 0311 withstand a few degrees of frost ; gales 

 that the latter we TlllZ g ? em over > wit h the risk of breaking their pots. See 



are scrubbed and the drainage free before taking them in. The 



October , 5 , 



azaleas might be laid on their side and every part of the nlant 

 solution to destroy thrip, should any have gained a foothold In Sy " nged *** some 

 Bedding and other half-hardy plants should be placed under VlL^n p . reven tive. 

 of air and excluding damp from the former, or many mav hf '£ ° W ^ g P ,ent y 



J ~ " 3 * 10St KlCHARb 



Parker, Goodwood Gardens. 



KITCHEN GARDEN. 



The importance of doing work at the proper time during thi* 

 year should on no account be overlooked. A few davs in th» ? eason of the 

 sowing or planting makes but little difference to the crop but iVSSH in 



u ~n : — «■ 4-iw.f fk A i~ _ j . *?"ri uut at this time of the 



year it is all important that the work be done at the right time f™ 6 ° f the 



weather may set in and so delay the operations still further Th* • vourable 



— -i — u i i-j— a — - <■ ■ • xne storing of all 



roots should now be completed without delay, more especially the tende? wL*" 

 After the crops have been gathered in, manure the ground and turn it ud Jf* 



that the frost and air may act upon it during the winter This i= i • P rou 6 h 'y 

 for when the work is delayed till the soil has become saturated wUh rainT^' 

 advisable to turn it up in that condition. Autumn digg ng 7s alwavs W n0t 

 light soils, particularly in those districts where the rainfall i s 8 s l £ h f and if? ^ 

 soils be turned up at this time of the year before they become tof wet, t h e wS 

 in spring at the time of sowing will be greatly reduced. It is, however no^d 

 visable to dig such stiff land at the present time as is intended for very eart 

 crops, as there would be some difficulty m getting upon it to sow the seeds at the 

 proper time ; such plots are best left until the time of planting or sowing which 



could be done as digging proceeds. 



Protection must now be afforded to all tender crops such as peas and French 

 beans. The former ought to have a free circulation of air both nieht and d»v hi 

 allowing the lights to be tilted both top and bottom ; the latter will thrive \2 

 well in a little closer atmosphere where fire heat is applied, but it is not well in 

 push them on too fast, as the pods will remain longer in good condition in a lower 

 temperature. Sowings for succession should be made at intervals of every two or 

 three weeks, for as the days become shorter growth will be less active and the 

 flowers will not set so freely. Cauliflower plants raised from seed sown in the 

 open during the last month should now be pricked out in a cold frame where thev 

 can be protected should bad weather set in. Those possessing hand-liehts mav 

 put five plants under each light, or more if the others are taken away in soring 

 before growth commences. Both Brown cos and the hardy cabbage lettuce should 

 be planted in frames for protection, and more may be pricked out in a warm 

 sheltered border. Where Queen onions are grown these should now be laree 

 enough for transplanting. This, in my opinion, is by far the most useful variety 

 for autumn sowing, as when transplanted at this time of the year they turn in so 

 quickly in spring that useful bulbs are obtained early in May. Pay every attention 

 to keeping small plants free from weeds, as these have a tendency to induce spindly 

 growth that is very liable to injury in case of severe weather. — H. C. Prinsep 

 Buxted Park Gardens. 



FRUITS UNDER GLASS. 



Fig trees grown under the extension system should now be pruned, as the 

 removal of surplus wood and leaves will help the growths retained to finish up 

 well. The method I advocate and practice is to cut out bodily all the longest 

 branches that can be spared, thus keeping the trees within the limits of space that 

 can be allowed. This does away with all need for foreshortening, and the gaps 

 made by removing the branches can be filled up when retying the trees after they 

 are cleaned. Under this system very old trees can be easily filled out with young 

 wood, so that there is never any necessity to retain anything in the shape of big 

 branches, which are difficult to deal with, and fill up space which might be better 

 occupied. When the branches have been cut out, all that remains for the knife t 



do is to cut away all fore-right and any other shoots that would be superfluous 

 and awkward to bring into position. Such shoots make capital cuttings, root 

 freely, and soon make good plants if any are required ; so a few of the best should 



J e fifi ,ned - and inserted aD °ut five inches deep in eight-inch pots, well drained 

 and filled with sandy soil, placing them in a cold frame to winter, and keeping 

 the soil somewhat dry, so that they shall not commence growth until the days 

 begin to lengthen again. 



Planted-out figs are often relegated to the back walls of houses which have 

 the roof occupied with vines or something of the sort, but this is not fair treat- 

 ment, and though they are expected to crop under such conditions the expectation 

 is rarely realised in anything like a satisfactory manner. Figs deserve, and ought 



1 k 1' a ful1 su PP lv of Jight, and the best way of providing for them is to train 

 them fen-shaped on wires, at a convenient distance from the roof-glass, where 

 they are made the chief occupants of the house, and receive what they want. 

 Uross^growmg trees which cast their fruits may now be taken in hand and root- 

 pruned, cutting away all roots that go down into the subsoil. If the soil in 

 which they have been growing is very rich, it should either be replaced with 

 poorer material, or treated to a goodly quantity of mortar rubbish, broken brick, 

 and burnt earth, which should be rammed in as firmly as possible. This will 

 prevent grossness in the future, and greatly assist the trees in carrying heavy 

 crops. Highly manuring the soil for fig trees is the greatest of all possible mis- 

 takes ; all the food they require should be given in liquid form during the growing 

 season. Pot trees for early forcing are carrying their leaves longer than usual 

 this year, but this is no evidence of unripeness, and I always look for the beet 

 results after the leaves have held on well, provided the wood is not too green, 

 for some few weeks yet, such trees will enjoy their outdoor quarters ; a touch or 

 two from slight frost completes the process of preparation for another season, and 

 does good rather than harm. All who are looking out for a grand forcing ng 

 should get S. John's, one of the most certain of croppers. ,. 



I ot strawberries should be set out more thinly if they appear to 1* crowding 

 each other, Royal Sovereign especially requiring plenty of room. Even if they 

 do not require moving on account of space, it does good to shift them about, and 

 prevents the roots from growing through the pots into the ashes T ^ m »° f 

 potting and planting should be cut and stacked as soon as possible now, but a 

 most districts it will be necessary to wait for rain, the ground being so very dry. 

 It is not wise, however, to allow very much rain to fall before commencing, as 

 this washes out the goodness from the too spit.-T. C. Tallack, Livermere Far* 



Loam 



but in 



Gardens. 



to 



to 



I I crisantemo " is the title by which the quarterly official organ ot 

 newlyfounded Italian Chrysanthemum Society will be known. No. 2 is just 

 mui , an ?' ,f U . may ** t^en as a sample of what we may expect m fat« ire, , pro 

 mtses to be an interesting addition to the various foreign periodical puWicaW 



"consists of twentyfour pages of printed matter entirely dev oi 

 »e society's records, and to articles on Ae history and cultivation of ^ pop u ^ 

 flower. Our excellent f rien d, Mr. Briscoe Ironside, and *^JSSSSSSSS£ 

 on T g H d ° n the new ^"taking, which certainly looks like a promts^ 



the flower. 



