GARDENERS' 



MAGAZINE. 



7 



53 



WORK FOR TH E WEEK. 



WARM 0RCHID5. 



the decrease of sun heat, the short days and long nights, the present 

 OWING to .id time t0 do any repotting in the warm houses. Sometimes, 

 i $ an unsatisr ^ ^ fcwQ p i ants out of season which are making brave 



Mrs. 



Take down all the thin cotton 



hoover, w duce new roots, and, as the compost has not been removed for a 

 d tempts to p jt . s becom j n g sour> therefore repotting must be beneficial to 

 considerable t ^ e roots will die off. We must now do all we can to 



sucb ' a S olants having all the light obtainable. 

 ensu re mc p with soap an d water, and see that they are thoroughly dry 



blinds, wa spr i n g. With respect to heavy roller blinds, one has to 



before stor ions and requirements of the houses. If in a cold, bleak place, and 



consider ^ ^ amount of piping is inadequate to properly combat cold winds 



lbC i f t then such blinds may be a great help if let down in bad weather. It is 



tfd, \ n „c e the blinds thus than to fire severely, as some of our amateurs are 

 far better to u&c J ... 



ia - l ^ e roH^them up, and put them away, after being well washed, dried, and 

 bl £nd Where orchid- houses are situated near large towns, the recent dull 

 labelie ^ ave resulted in a deposition of soot upon the glass, while in more 

 W ituations, permanent shading, such as summercloud and stipple, will yet 

 0pCn,S • but the time has now arrived when all this must be removed, and the 

 ^Thoroughly cleansed with hot water. 

 All orchids of whatever section, that have 



If there is sufficient heating apparatus, take down the 



completed their growth, must have 



ch light as can be given them at this period to substantiate their growths. 

 ■Uhe cattleyas must be placed as near the glass as convenient and reasonable, 

 h can easily be raised on pots or stands of any description that will answer the 

 no-e • where a second or false stage is provided a good plan is to raise the stage 

 ^irith a few bricks, glazed ones or good Ruabons look nice when clean and answer 

 U dmirably. A good plan is to place these bricks in a large saucer, which must be 

 f t failed with water, and so prevent slugs or beetles from climbing on to the stage. 

 R fore this is done each plant may be placed in a tub of water, allowing it to remain 

 ' ^or about 15 minutes, so that if any pest is hiding this will force it out ; we 

 are sure then to have a clean start. Any baskets hung underneath the ridge of the 

 house where much woodwork exists must be removed near the light. — T. 

 Stafford, Tyntesfield Gardens. 



STOVE PLANTS. 



The work in the stoves will now be of a routine nature, watering, damp- 

 when the weather is favourable ; tying, sponging, and the 



During 



syringing. 



a»*5fc A J ^^^^^^^^ r ^^^^ ^ ^™ ^™ ^^^^ 



application of insecticides as necessary for the destruction of insect pests 

 the winter months is the best time to wage war for the destruction of the latter, 

 for growth being matured insecticides may be applied stronger than when the 

 plants are in active growth, and the leaves consequently more lender. In the case 

 of mealy bug it is not merely necessary to clean the plants infested, but the walls 

 should be washed with lime into which petroleum has been mixed, working this 

 well into all the crevices ; all the woodwork, stages, underneath as well as over, 

 should be well scrubbed with soapy water containing petroleum. Any rubbish 

 lying amongst the pipes must be carefully removed, and, in fact, every corner 

 where there is likely to be harbourage for it must be carefully scoured. Even 

 after all this labour the pest may still make its appearance, but in such reduced 

 numbers that it will be an easy matter to keep it in subjection. For eradicating 

 thrip sponge frequently and fumigate two nights in succession at intervals with 

 "XL All" fumigating compound. If this is followed out thrips will be com- 

 pletely banished. For destroying scale there is nothing to surpass syringing the 

 plants with petroleum emulsion, and sponging at intervals with strong 

 loapy water, always taking the plants in hand before any of the scale arrives at 

 maturity. Little or no ventilation will be required in the stove, as at this season 

 sufficient air will gain ingress between the laps of the glass, and when the doors 

 are opened. Should bright weather occur, check the fire in preference to opening 

 the ventilators, for, however carefully the latter are manipulated, the cold air is 

 likely to reach some of the plants to their detriment. 



Gloxinias and achimenes that are quite at rest should be placed in their winter 

 quarters— a dry position with a temperature of 45 to 50 degrees ; we pack ours 

 away on a shelf in a stokehole where the temperature is as named above. The 

 earliest-rested tubers that were started again a few weeks ago are now growing 

 nicely, they will not require repotting ; keep them in the stove well up to the light 

 and afford weak stimulants occasionally. During the prevalence of very dull 

 weather be very careful over the watering of all stove plants, test each plant care- 

 fully, and give only sufficient to each for its requirements. The racemes of 

 Thyrsicanthus rutilans are advancing rapidly, and to show off their full beauty the 

 plants should either be elevated on other pots inverted, or be slung to the roof by 

 means of wire. Justicias are now in full beauty, and are very useful at this season ; 

 stand them in a cooler structure and keep the syringe from them. Aphelandra 

 Roedi is one of the most showy stove plants in flower now ; it needs plenty of 

 water at the root, but should be kept dry overhead. Eranthemum pulchellum, 

 Rondeletia speciosa, poinsettias, and eucharis are among the remaining plants in 

 wwer m the stove at this season. The minimum night temperature for the next 

 lew weeks may range from 60 degrees on cold nights to 65 on mild nights, with 

 » rise of s degrees during the day from fire heat. 



The majority of ferns will now have ceased growth ; it will be necessary to 

 J*P the atmosphere drier, and also afford less water at the root, but be careful 

 «y are not allowed to become too dry, else they will suffer severely. Cheilanthes, 

 Ottnogrammas, and nothochlaena* are especially susceptible to damp at this 

 j™? 0 ' and must be placed in positions free from drip. Examine adiantums 

 wpwly and remove all decaying fronds, for if this is not attended to large 

 St ^ ay S °° n be s P oiled b y damp. Watering should be done in the early 

 El* 1* S ° that the moisture ma y dr y U P before night. The warm fernery 

 fcri n g r u epl j at a tem P era, ure of 55 to 60 degrees at night, and 60 to 65 degrees 

 *hrf t 2, ay — t * ie lower figures denoting the temperature for cold days and 



Tunnington, Ripley Castle Gardens. 



w THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



■*st *u"d re | ard t0 roses and rose P lantiD 8 the babit and vigour of the varieties 

 I Ifwi pIante . r as t0 the requisite distance apart the plants should be 

 fe t ' } A of mixed varieties are to be planted, a distance of two to three 

 *ybem Would generally suffice, although for beds of one variety the distance 

 Upright^ 6 °' leSS accordin S to the st.ength and habit of growth of the variety. 

 •5 be d1 T^ 8 r0SeS ' such as Baroness Rothschild and those of similar habit, 

 KittbnmK j ? t more tban two feet apart, while stronger growers, as Duke of 



Sharrnan Crawford, Mrs. John Laing, Madame Gabriel Luizet, Captain 

 Christy, and La France; of crimson and red shades Alfred Colomb, Duke of 

 Edinburgh, General Jacqueminot, A. K. Williams, Ulrich Bnmner, Gustave 

 liganeau, Marquis de Castellane, Victor Verdier, Beauty of Waltham, Countess of 

 Oxford, Madame Victor Verdier, and many others ; white or light varieties, 

 Margaret Dickson, Merveille de Lyon, Madame Augustine Guinoisseau, and 

 Violette Bowyer are among the best. Good tea varieties are numerous, and 

 Mane \ an Houtte, an old variety, is still one of the best. Other most desirable 

 ones are Catherine Mermet, Madame Lambard, Francisca Kruger, Hon. Edith 

 Gitford, The Bride, Souvenir d'un Ami, Souvenir de S. A. Prince, Perle des 

 Jardms, Madame de Watteville, Innocente Pirola, and Rubins. The hybrid sweet- 

 briars are well adapted for planting in semi- wild gardens or pleasure grounds, and 

 as isolated specimens are effective, as they grow into large bushes in a short time 



and require little pruning, as the long strong shoots should be retained at full 

 length. 



In the pleasure grounds general cleanliness should be maintained as far as 

 possible. The relaying and levelling of turf may be taken in hand now, and in 

 herbaceous borders decaying stems and foliage should be cleared away, and where 

 contemplated any rearrangement and division of these subjects maybe carried 

 out as long as the weather remains mild and open. Owing to the very dry state 

 of the soil about the roots of evergreen trees and shrubs, the lifting and planting 

 of these subjects has been almost impossible in most districts until recently, and 



at t he f tlme ofwritin g th e moisture has not penetrated the dry soil to scarcely 

 the depth of one foot. Where, however, it is desired to move American plants 

 a v! rl ?5 d l odendrons > kalmias, andromedas, and others of this class this autumn it 

 should be completed during the present month. Although the spring months are 

 perhaps preferable, there is often a pressure of ordinary routine work to be got 

 through at that season, and for this reason planting of these subjects may take 

 place^ now. A considerable amount of labour is requisite in the preparation of 

 the sites for rhododendrons where the natural soil of the place is not congenial 

 to them and the beds have to be artificially made up, as is the case where of a 

 heavy, clayey nature, or in soils abounding with chalk and limestone. In tbis 

 case the natural soil must be thrown out to the depth of 18 inches or more and 

 made up with peat, keeping the rougher portions at the base and affording 

 drainage below if necessary. Failing the peat a mixture of light, fibrous loam and 

 leaf mould in equal parts may be used. It should be well trodden— unless in a 

 wet state— and will then, when finished, be in a condition to receive the plants 

 at once. If immediate effect is desired they should be planted thickly now, 

 according to the size of the bushes, to be thinned out and transplanted to other 

 positions later when this is necessary from overcrowding. Hybrid rhododendrons 

 are numerous, and any reliable catalogue will furnish a ready means of selecting 

 good varieties of various colours. Some of the early blooming varieties of the 

 Nobleanum type should be planted in sheltered positions in a west aspect, or 

 where screened by deciduous trees from spring frosts and early morning sun, as 

 the flower trusses are often valuable for indoor decoration at this season. Andro- 

 meda floribunda is also useful, and the fl jwersdo not suffer unless frost is severe. 

 — C. Herrin, Dropmore Gardens. 



HARDY FRUITS. 



There is now plenty of work in the fruit garden, as with the ground in good 

 condition for planting there should be no further delay. I am much in favour of 

 early planting, but am aware it is Dot always easy tc secure trees from the grower 

 just at the time we need them ; thus it is always better to place our orders in 

 August or September than wait till the trees are needed. Another great point is 

 to go and select the trees whilst in growth, as by so doing much the best material 

 is obtained. With a thin, light soil to deal with, and this resting on gravel, we find 

 it advantageous to have all our planting done as early in November as possible ; 

 indeed, such fruits as apricots, peaches, and nectarines are planted or lifted in 

 October. Many may think there is danger of the bark shrivelling, but young 

 trees having ample roots rarely suffer ; indeed, there is a great gain, as the trees 

 make a mass of fibrous roots as soon as planted, and, what is so important, they do 

 not fail to crop the following season. Of course to obtain trees in October from 

 a long distance is out of the question, and so to secure ample root growth we grow 

 the trees on for a season, and by so doing can finally plant much earlier. This, 

 in our soil, is a great gain, as if we plant after Christ m is the trees need so much 

 attention in the way of watering at a time when it is almost impossible to attend 

 to their wants. It is an easy matter to devote a small space for the growth of 

 young fruit trees ; indeed, in our case it is a necessity, as some varieties, such as 

 apricots and cherries, are none too reliable, and it often happens we need a young 

 tree to replace one that has lost its branches, and we find those grown on as 

 advised most useful. In other ways the advice given may not be out of place, 

 for many can buy maidens, or one year old trees, who could not buy more costly 

 ones, and by purchasing a few every year there will be a gocd stock and those 

 of the best kirds. Whilst on this subject let me add there is no value, indeed 

 the reverse, in harbouring old trees after badly cankered and unsightly in any 

 garden, as these look bad enough in our orchards, but a garden should have the 

 best and those that are profitable. I am aware there is a difficulty in some 

 gardens in getting rid of such trees, but it is mistaken sentiment to allow the soil 



to be encumbered by them. 



There is a great improvement in the growth of trees of late years in gardens of 

 limited area. It is an excellent plan to plant the trees in rows, so that the sun and 

 light can reach all parts ; the apple on a dwarf stock, such as the Paradise, and 

 the pear on the quince, are readily managed. Given ample room the best crops 

 are secured from standard trees, and I tnink the best quality also in some cases ; 

 indeed our best Kibston and Cox's Orange Pippins this year were from small 

 standard trees, but the fruit lacked the size of those from dwarf trees. Those 

 who need fruit' in quantity for sale will do well to note the manner some varieties 

 crop and here let me add there is no merit whatever in mere variety ; indeed, for 

 market purposes, doubtless, half a dozen kinds would suffice. As regards the kind 

 of tree this will' be governed by the variety, soil, and position, for in some soils 

 certain varieties do not thrive, whilst others are at home. 



In gardens it is an easy matter to make the soil to suit the crop — thus peaches 

 and nectarines will not succeed in hea\y wet soil, 10 drainage is a necessity, while 

 deeD planting is an error; to such soils add burnt refuse or charcoal refuse, 

 road scraoincs from limestone roads, old mortar rubble, or anything that lightens, 

 nl*cW the rougher materials at the base of the roots. Avoid mixing with the 

 .oil Quantities of animal manures with trees of any size, but if the staple soil be 

 11 ooor one may add old cucumber or melon beds and spent mushroom-bed 

 Manure but young trees are best without these aids if the soil is fairly good or 

 T little new material cm be given at planting. Firm planting is a necessity, 

 and it will be well to keep all roots well spread out horizontally, using some of 



^humh *nA* e tban two feet a P art ' whlle stron g er growers, as Duke 01 ana u w« ^ gma]Ier root§> , )o nQt cxpose the root$ t0 lhe air i on g Cr 



fc* anarr t Vlg , 0r0us tea ™ses, should be placed from two and a-half to three the surface son received give a good soaking previous to planting. 



^nT" 1- lD selecting ^r^t;« ***Amm tKncp nMiMiflv crow than possible, ana u uij^ ^ Jl^. _fn *k» J3l 



mdU^m f lD i sel f ctin g varieties for the garden those which generally grow tnan pcw»uK» » ."' d c using any light manure that will not keep the toil 

 H. p ? j n y should be chosen rather than mere exhibition varieties. Of Mulch as the work <; a rZns. 



' 8m P lnk s ^des the following are free and good : Baroness Rothschild, ~^ wet -~ U W * m 



cold and wet 



