362 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ May 5, 1881. 
position are essential for the success of Runner Beans. If the soil 
be light draw it about 3 inches high and 18 inches wide on each side 
of the rows of plants, and mulching with partially decayed manure. 
Utilise the space between the rows of Peas for Spinach, Lettuces, 
and Radishes. Lettuce seed for a summer crop is best sown where 
the plants are to remain, thinning the seedlings to a foot distance 
apart. For late Peas in light shallow soils trenches should be pre¬ 
pared as for Celery, with the difference that the soil taken out is to 
be returned and the seeds sown on the level over the enriched trench. 
Examine Cauliflower plants, applying some rich soil to those wintered 
under handlights, watering as necessary with liquid manure, and make 
a sowing of Walcheren for late September use. Sowing Broccoli 
for late use should not be delayed ; such varieties as Lauder’s Goshen, 
Wilcove Improved, and Model, planted on a north border and laid- 
in in early winter, will afford a succession to those in the open, 
and possibly continue the supply until Cauliflowers under the hand- 
lights come in. Sow Savoys of the dwarf varieties Early Ulm, Tom 
Thumb, and Dwarf Vienna, which occupy but little room, and come 
into use early in autumn, being more esteemed than the larger 
varieties. Encourage growth in the several crops by hoeing fre¬ 
quently between the rows, which will save much after trouble with 
weeds. Make a successional sowing of Turnips on a north border. 
If dry weather ensue Turnip fly may be troublesome, but dusting 
the plants early in the morning with quicklime will check it. As 
ground becomes cleared of Broccoli and other crops it should be 
prepared for Celery, the early plants being placed out by the second 
or third week in the month. The space between the trenches will be 
available for a single row of Lettuces, which if well attended to will 
afford fine heads during summer. Hoe between the rows of early 
Potatoes, and draw a little soil round or over them if there is danger 
from frost. Spruce branches in readiness to place over them in the 
evening when frost is expected may save the haulm. Where Potatoes 
have been planted wide the ground between the rows should be forked, 
so that when the Potatoes are earthed up it may be in a fit condition 
for planting. 
In the forcing department Tomatoes fruiting in pots should have 
all laterals removed, and if the fruit is near maturity some of the 
plants may be removed to a cooler house so as to afford a succession. 
Shift into 5 or 6-inch pots those which are to be planted against 
walls outside, affording no more heat than is necessary to keep 
the plants growing. Ridges may now be prepared for Vegetable 
Marrows, Ridge and Gherkin Cucumber plants, which can be placed 
out as soon as they have been hardened. French Beans should still 
be sown in pits or frames for a last crop, affording copious supplies 
of liquid manure to those advanced. Carrots should have liberal 
supplies of water. 
FRUIT HOUSES. 
Vines .—Early Grapes now ripe will require very little fire heat, 
the temperature being allowed to fall to 60° at night. Where the 
fermenting material on outside borders has become cold a portion 
may be removed, leaving sufficient for a mulching. Increase the 
ventilation, especially in the early part of the day, and close early. 
Continue former instructions as to thinning, disbudding, stopping and 
tying. Examine the inside borders of succession houses at least once 
weekly, and afford supplies whenever necessary, alternating with 
liquid manure, both tepid. Late kinds now growing rapidly may be 
tied out and stopped as soon as they have covered the trellis with 
good foliage. Vines in pots for next year’s fruiting will now be ready 
for transferring into 14-inch pots. Employ turfy loam with a sprink¬ 
ling of bones and pot firmly. Newly planted Vines should be closely 
watched, not allowing the soil to become dry, and in training let all 
the shoots remain that can be exposed to light, but supernumeraries 
for next year’s fruiting should be closely pinched and confined to one 
rod. 
Cherry House .—Directly the stoning is complete the fruit will com¬ 
mence colouring, when, if it be desirable, the ripening may be accele¬ 
rated by the maintenance of a higher temperature in the daytime. 
Ventilation must be attended to as before advised. To secure fine 
fruit more time should be allowed. When colouring commences 
cease syringing the trees, or the Cherries will crack. Keep the surface 
of the borders moist, attending to stopping and tying in the shoots. 
Supply weak liquid manure liberally to trees in pots. 
Figs .—With the early crop of these from trees in pots, the main 
object will be the ripening and colouring of the fruit; therefore 
allow a little ventilation at the top of the house constantly until the 
crop is perfected. Cease syringing the trees, and do not allow a 
superabundance of moisture about the house. Early forced trees in 
permanent borders will be advanced for ripening, and will require 
similar treatment, and if the borders have been attended to in water¬ 
ing and mulching they will not usually require further supplies until 
the crop is ripe. For home use we do not gather the fruit before 
it is perfectly ripe, but if it has to be sent a distance it should 
be gathered a few days earlier. Attend to stopping, thinning, and 
regulating the growths as before advised. Very early crops of Fig3 
from trees in pots will shortly be exhausted, when the syringing may 
be recommenced twice daily ; and if the second crop is abundant 
remove a part so as not to overtax the trees, especially if they are 
needed early next season. 
Melons .—Directly indications of ripening appear a dry condition of 
the atmosphere must be maintained and less supplies of water given, 
but not so as to affect the foliage, particularly if a second crop is to 
be taken from the same plants. Afford support to fruit becoming 
heavy. Afford copious supplies of water to the roots of those plants 
with fruit swelling off, also giving weak tepid liquid manure occa¬ 
sionally. Syringe the foliage and walls at about 3.30 P.M., and damp 
the floors several times a day when the sun is powerful. Attend 
carefully to ventilating, particularly in the early part of the day. 
Maintain a temperature of 80° to 85° through the day, and close early 
in the afternoon, as it will not raise the temperature much over 90°. 
Pot off seedlings, keep them near the glass to insure sturdy growth, 
training and regulating the growths of young plants. After the 
fruit is swelling in pits and frames earth-up the plants, keep the 
laterals well thinned-out and stopped, and raise the fruit on slates on 
inverted flower pots. Maintain a good bottom heat by linings, and 
employ covering at night over the lights for some time longer. 
Cucumbers .—Little fire heat will be required by day; the valves 
should be turned off about 8 A.M. and turned on about 5 P.M. In 
dull weather and cold days fire heat by day will be necessary. The 
supply of air and moisture will need to be increased according to the 
increase of light and heat. Houses facing due south will require 
shading at mid-day, regulating it according to the intensity of the sun. 
The night temperature should not be allowed to fall much below 
70°, and 75° secured by day, and 80° to 85° from sun heat. Syringe 
the foliage at about 3.30 P.M., and damp the floors, &c., frequently 
through the day in bright weather. Afford liquid manure about twice 
a week. The importance of clean growth cannot be over-estimated ; 
and instead of trying to clear the foliage of red spider, remove infested 
leaves and coat the hot-water pipes thinly with sulphur. Fumigate 
at once upon the appearance of aphides. In pits and frames, if the 
plants are healthy, shading will not be required at present, but the 
foliage must not be allowed to flag. Sprinkle the plants about 3 P.M., 
closing the lights at the same time, the temperature not being allowed 
to exceed 90°. Attend to stopping, training, and earthing-up, also 
sowing as necessary for succession. 
ORCHARD HOUSE. 
The wintry weather in early April has considerably retarded the 
progress of the fruit trees in this structure. Aphides often appear 
whilst the trees are in blossom, and in that case fumigation must be 
resorted to ; but if it can be delayed without the serious spread of 
the insects until the fruit is set it will be safer. After the fruit is set 
syringe the trees well every morning when the weather is mild and 
not likely to be dull. Ventilation must be carefully attended to, 
opening the ventilators about 7 or 8 A.M., closing about 6 P.M. ; or 
whenever frost or a low night temperature is expected close some¬ 
what earlier, as no danger need be apprehended from a rather high 
temperature during the latter part of the afternoon. Apricots set 
and abundant should be thinned moderately, and any strong or 
superfluous shoots be rubbed off or pinched back to preserve the 
symmetry of the trees. If mildew appears on Peach and Nectarine 
trees dust them with sulphur. Fig trees are growing, and must be 
