570 JOURNAL OF HORTIGLZZ URE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. L December 22 , issi. 
too numerous to mention. Nor do their troubles end here, for in 
many parts the natives are very untrustworthy, and much care and 
constant watchfulness are required to contend with them. These 
are only a few of the troubles and dangers to which plant-collec¬ 
tors are exposed ; but sufficient has been said to enable uninitiated 
readers to perceive that the beautiful plants which adorn their 
stoves have not been obtained without much danger, discomfort, 
and expense.—W. R. 
WORK/o^WEEK.. i 
KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Advantage should be taken of weather unfavourable for outdoor 
operations to examine the roots, especially Potatoes, which owing to 
the mildness of the autumn are sprouting fast. This more par¬ 
ticularly applies to the early kinds, which of those intended for 
planting should be placed thinly on shelves or other suitable places 
so as to retard the sprouting as much as possible and to render 
the growth stout. It will not do to remove the first growths of 
the early kidney varieties, as they do not start freely into second 
growth. They should be kept as cool as possible, merely excluding 
frost. The later kinds of Potatoes are not keeping very well, except 
Champions, which have scarcely any diseased, and these should be 
sorted, removing any diseased tubers. Onions are keeping fairly well, 
but all bad bulbs must be removed, whilst those which have been 
bunched or strung should be placed in a dry cool shed where they 
will obtain plenty of air to insure their keeping sound to a late 
period in spring. 
During weather unfavourable for ground operations the rubbish 
heap must have attention, separating the crude material from that 
in an advanced stage of decomposition. The last should be placed 
in readiness for employment in enriching the ground. The crude 
material may have a little lime and salt mixed with it, as it is thrown 
into a heap, which will hasten decomposition and help to destroy 
vermin. Any dressings of trees or prunings should be burned, the 
ashes being valuable as top-dressing for fruit-tree borders, and are 
peculiarly valuable for ground intended to be cropped with roots, 
such as Onions and Carrots. 
Cauliflowers and autumn or winter Broccoli should be looked over 
frequently, cutting all heads that are of suitable size, and keeping 
them in a cool place safe from frost. Any not large enough to be 
cut, but having heads about the size of a teacup, may be lifted and 
planted in pits or frames protected from frost. Any that have heads 
neither large enough for cutting nor lifting should have the outer 
leaves broken over them. Hoe between autumn-sown crops of Onions, 
Cabbage, Spinach, and Lettuces to destroy weeds, and remove decayed 
foliage. 
Forcing Department. —Continue to prepare well-fermented material, 
such as dung and leaves, in the proportion of one of stable litter 
to two or three of leaves, to afford material for lining beds contain¬ 
ing Potatoes, should severe weather set in, and for making beds for 
successional plantings of Potatoes, also for Cauliflowers, Carrots, 
Lettuce, and Radishes as may be necessary to the supply of the 
establishment. See that good successional supplies of Asparagus, 
Seakale, and Rhubarb roots are introduced. French Beans will 
require sowing at intervals, earthing-up those plants advanced in 
growth, and supplying liquid manure. Cauliflowers under handlights 
or in pits or frames must have air on all favourable occasions, similar 
remarks applying to Lettuces and Parsley, providing sufficient 
covering as protection in severe weather. 
HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. 
Apples and Pears, whether grown as espaliers, bushes, or pyramids, 
may now be pruned to advantage, staking and tying where required. 
To make handsome and fruitful trees pyramids and bushes should be 
moderately well thinned, as where hard summer pruning is practised 
the wood is likely to become crowded so much as to seriously affect 
the prospect of a crop of fruit; but wherever the condition of fruit 
trees is unsatisfactory the roots must be carefully examined, when it 
will generally be found that remedial measures may be adopted with 
success. Excessive luxuriance is a frequent cause of fruit trees not 
bearing, and Can generally be remedied by judicious root-pruning, 
which should, however, be carefully performed, using a sharp instru¬ 
ment for severing the roots, as bruised roots die back considerably 
and cause fungus in the soil. In cases of weakness or exhaustion 
the surface soil must be carefully removed to expose a considerable 
portion of the roots, removing the soil from amongst them carefully, 
also any dead or decayed portions of roots. Work in good turfy 
loam, to which has been added a fourth of well-decomposed manure ; 
make it firm and cover the roots with 3 or 4 inches depth of the same 
compost, and if the soil is dry tread it down moderately firm and mulch 
with light manure. 
When the weather is open planting fruit trees may be brought to 
a close as soon as possible, and as soon as the trees are planted they 
should be secured to stakes, or, if against walls, lightly tied or tacked 
to the wall to prevent injury by wind, deferring securing the shoots in 
their proper positions as well as shortening the growths until spring. 
Mulch well over the roots. 
FRUIT HOUSES. 
Peaches and Nectarines .—Owing to the unusually mild weather very 
little fire heat has been required in the house, to which it is usually 
applied early this month. Heat has only been needed on wet days to 
promote a circulation of air, which is always desirable, particularly 
in the early stages of growth. Continue the temperature at 50° to 
55° by day, turning on the heat in the morning to effect this, allowing 
a rise of 10° from sun heat, accompanied with a free circulation of 
air, the night temperature being maintained at 45° to 50°, which will 
be quite sufficient for bringing the trees into flower without unduly 
exciting them. Syringe the paths and borders in the morning and 
early afternoon, and the trees also if the blossoms are not more than 
half expanded. If upon examination the borders are found dry give 
a thorough soaking with water at 80°. The house to which fire heat 
is to be applied early in the year must be closed, damping the trees 
in the morning and afternoon, ventilating when the temperature 
reaches 50°, and employ fire heat at night if necessary to exclude 
frost. Supply the inside borders with water atj 80° repeatedly until 
they are thoroughly moistened ; but if the lights have been off 
water will not be required for some time to come. The outside border 
must be protected with a good layer of leaves and litter to prevent 
their being blown about. Complete cleansing the trees in succession 
and late houses, also cleansing and painting houses that require it. 
Wateringmust be attended to in succession and late houses, as, should 
there be any deficiency of moisture at the roots of the trees now, it 
is likely the buds will be cast later on. When the weather is mild 
the ventilators must be open constantly, closing only when there is 
frost. 
FLOWER GARDEN. 
Beds of Hyacinths and Tulips should be covered with a mulching of 
cocoa-nut fibre refuse 2 or 3 inches thick to protect the bulbs from 
severe weather, similar attention being given to other plants that are 
likely to be injured. Rose borders should be well mulched with litter. 
Standard Roses must be protected if necessary with hay or other light 
material wrapped about the head, and make secure to stakes. Teas 
must not only be protected with soft dry material, but be covered 
with mats as a further protection, the ground being well mulched 
previously. Cannas left in the ground should be well mulched with 
straw or bracken ; and all plants of doubtful hardiness, such as Cha- 
mserops humilis and Fortunei, Aralia Sieboldi, and Bamboos, must be 
protected with mats. Delphiniums and Pyrethrums often have their 
young shoots eaten beneath the surface by slugs, and to avoid this 
the soil may be taken out around the crowns, a dusting of quicklime 
being given, and the space filled with ashes. Shrubs, such as Ceano- 
thus and Magnolias against walls, should have a double mat tacked 
in front of them in severe weather, and similar protection will be 
necessary for such Clematises and Roses which are in a dangerously 
forward condition, and, unless protected, will in all probability be 
severely injured if the winter prove severe. Herbaceous borders may 
receive a good dressing of leaf soil, well-reduced refuse, or manure, 
