January 23, 1892. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
73 
Eeiierally to allow them to sprout prematurely, and quite ruinous to the 
Ashleafs. The latter ought always to be planted with the first strong ce - 
Sal sprout intact. If this is lost those that follow are much weaker, and 
the crop lighter accordingly. All of these, therefore and as many more 
as there are conveniences for, ought to be kept either thinly , oi 
better still, packed closely together in a single layer, sprout pd upper¬ 
most. Any wanted for forcing may well be introduced into gentle 
heat to ma4 good progress while the frames or pits are being ready 
for them, but all the rest should be kept as cool as possible, plenty 
light also favouring the production of extra strong and not too forward 
sprouts. Even the commoner later round and kidney variekes ought to 
be prevented from being weakened by premature sprouting, and if not 
already done the planting tubers ought to be at once separated from 
those to be eaten, Ind stored thinly in a light place. We may yet have 
more very severe frosts, and seed Potatoes must be carefully protected 
from these. Medium-sized tubers are the best for planting, substituting 
small ones or such as are more fit for the pigs being the reverse of 
FokwARCING Peas. —It is not often Peas in pots produce sufficiently 
to pay for the trouble taken with them, but when they are particularly 
wanted as early as possible the cost of production is rightly over¬ 
looked. Hard forcing is out of the question, but they ™ay be gently 
forwarded so as to have dishes three weeks in advice of the outside 
crops, and a fortnight earlier than those grown m frames. Chelsea 
Gem and William Hurst are both admirably adapted for pot cultuie, and 
the newer British Wonder (Cannell) should also succeed well under 
similar conditions. Newly started vineries. Peach, and Fig houses are 
suitable for forwarding Peas, and they may be grown in either ndges of 
soil boxes, or pots, the two former being the best when they are to be 
located along the fronts of fruit houses, whilst pots are most suitable 
for shelves Ld stages, and are most generally pretorrecl. Use 9-inch 
Dots lic'htly draining these, and rather firmly fill with rich loamy 
compost, to which a sprinkling of wood ashes has been added. Sow e 
seed^thinly, or no thicker than they are distributed in the open ground, 
and cover Wh about 2 inches of soil. Water carefully at first, but 
when the pots are becoming well filled with roots, water varied with 
liquid manure will be required in abundance. The plants must be 
earlv supported by Birch spray or some other kind of stakes, and 
receive all the light and air possible, high temperatures being especiallj 
'peYs^^n^Frames.—W ith the aid of a rough frame or pit, glazed or 
otherwise, several very acceptable early dishes of Peas may be ^ 
also at the same time a very serviceable lot of Lettuce. For three 
four lio’hts sow a pint or rather more of one of the varieties lecom- 
mended for pot culture in boxes filled with light sifted soil and place 
in gentle heat till the plants are about 3 inches high, when after being 
slightly hardened they will be ready for the pit or frame. The lattei 
shfuld be prepared in readiness for these plants, keeping Peas a few 
Lys too long in boxes or small pots spoiling them. A very slight hot¬ 
bed or just sufficient rapidly decaying heating material to give the 
plants a good start, is desirable, but can be dispensed with. The Peas 
should have not less than 9 inches of good loamy soil to root in, and a 
layer of short manure underneath. In planting open trenches with a 
spade fully 8 inches deep and 15 inches apart, shake the plants clear of 
the soil and replant much as Box edging is laid, the roots being dropped 
in to their full depth, and carefully fixed with the soil about them. 
Dibble out a row of newly raised plants of Early Pans Market oi 
Golden Queen Cabbage Lettuce between the Peas, and water if the soil 
is at all dry. Lights being available keep all rather close for a time, 
ventilating^more freely when the plants are growing afresh. If there 
is sufficient depth lightly stake the Peas directly they are planted. 
Cover the li^^hts with mats every night. If there are no glazed lights 
for covering protect with mats or shutters every night. 
Mint and Tarragon. — Both are usually in demand “ost 
establishments, and forcing ought to be practised Lift a few flakes of 
fleshy roots or thin clumps, and pack these closely in boxes filled wit 
ffirlv rich soil. Placed in gentle heat a number of young shoots will 
Boon^be available. Mint, roots, and shoots are quite capable of holaing 
their own against most evils, but the finest growth is had by replanting 
frequently, fresh beds being formed in good sod. Slugs are the greatest 
nuisance ^where Tarragon is concerned, and ought to be trapped as 
much as possible. Top-dress old beds and form new ones. 
PLANT HOUSES. 
F’friw.—If the temperature at night can be kept from falling below 
50° potting and top-dressing may be pushed on. Although herns will 
succeed in the same pots for years they make g^^'^^er process and 
larger fronds when supplied with fresh soil occasionally. When m pots 
sufficientlv large it becomes necessary to reduce the roots to supply 
them with new soil. This will seriously check them for a time, but 
long before the close of the season they will be growing vigorously 
again, and continue to do well for years. Before commencing these 
onerations. however, the soil should be in an intermediate state ot 
nmisturc and must not be wet either for repotting or top-dressing. 
Those that need the latter only should have the drainage regulated if 
nocpssarv and the plants returned to the pots, a little new soil being 
Placed on the surface. We invariably sprinkle a little artificial manure 
L the surface before placing on the new soil. Those that need repotting 
are Dotted on as far as we can carry out this work, only reinoving the 
drainage The majority of Ferns do well in a compost of fibry loam 
Ll IcS mould in equal proportions, with the addition of sand, charcoal, 
and lime rubbish. After potting supply water carefully, but syringe 
freely amongst the pots, and keep the house moist. The plants will 
not be long before they commence pushing up new fronds, and will 
early in the season be well furnished and in the best possible condition. 
Palms .—Any sponging or cleaning required should be done, and the 
house thoroughly cleaned. As these plants do not need repotting annu¬ 
ally, often for various purposes having to be kept in certain sizes as 
long as possible. They may have the surface soil removed, a little 
artificial manure applied to the surface, and the soil top-dressed with 
loam, sand, and a little decayed manure. It is a good plan to add one 
fi-inch potful of soot and the same quantity of bonemeal to each barrowtul 
of soil. They can be kept healthy and the fronds a rich green by the 
aid of a rich top-dressing annually, two or three applications of artificial 
manure during the season, and soot water in a clear state. Plants tnat 
are to be grown on should be repotted as the roots increase. Ihe 
majority of'Palms do well in equal parts of good fibry loam and leaf 
mould with the addition of the bones advised above, sand, and a little 
charcoal. The pots must be well and carefully drained, and the soil 
Dressed firmly into them. We have long since discontinued the use of 
peat for these plants, except Cocos Weddelliana, which prefer peat, in 
fact it does not do well with us in loam. After potting the temperature 
should range from 55° to f.0° at night. Water carefully, and maintain a 
fair amount of moisture in the house. Those in houses 10 lower should 
not be repotted for another month. ^ 
Marantas.—^heyie a hotbed has been made and is ready for plants 
to be plunged or stood on the surface, these plants may be repotted, it 
is a good plan to repot them early so that they become established before 
the sun gains much power. These plants will bear division according to 
circumstances, or they may be placed into larger pots without disturbing 
the balls. Where the plants are large enough, and larger pots are not 
desirable, reduce them carefully by removing the old soil froni amongst 
their roots. The stronger growing kinds, as a rule, do well in loam used 
in a rough state, leaf mould, charcoal in lumps, and sand. Peat should 
form the principal compost for other kinds. The plants 
fully watered until they are rooting freely, when they will bear liberal 
supplies. ____ 
HB BBE-KBEPER. 
APIARIAN NOTES. 
The Weather. 
Between the ISth. and 22nd inst. the weather was change¬ 
able ; the highest temperature of the week was registered on the 
22nd and the lowest on the morning of the 16th, being 13° and 35° 
respectively. The severest frost took place with a low barometer, 
about 29°. When this occurs the atmosphere is always chilling. 
I have long observed that bees withstood a zero temperature 
better when the barometer stood at 30° than when it was at 29° 
or less and the thermometer at 15°. 
The Punic Bees. 
My curiosity has now been gratified and my anxiety allayed. 
Both of my pure stocks of the>e bees have shown themselves on 
the wing and healthy with the thermometer at 35. The hive 
had only three dead bees on the alighting boaid; these had been 
Hying during the rain, and were caught upon the board and died. 
The Punics are good sanitarians, and will not allow any 
offensive matter within their hives, consequently I do not expect 
to see many more dead bees from them. As the sun is shining, 
and bees flying, I go out to see them. The thermometer has 
risen to 38°, the highest for the year. Many bees are on the 
wing ; a first cross Cyprian is crowding out. All, including the 
Punics, appear healthy, with few or no dead bees. As I am 
perfectly satisfied the Punics can withstand the severity of our 
winters I will next devote my attention to their behaviour 
throughout the spring months. 
I infer from the hint Mr. Cowan threw out about the 
Syrians and “ A. H. B. K.,” that they were worthless bees. I 
wonder it did not occur to him that the Syrians bear the highest 
record of honey gathering in one day, as well as in three 
successive days, than any bee at that time imported. Of course, 
these bees were managed in a way to give satisfactory results. 
Napthaline and Foul Brood. 
I have had numerous inquiries about napthaline and its 
efficacy in preventing foul brood. Mr. James Wilson, Dalmuir, 
asks, “Are the ingredients sold by the editors of some bee 
journals for foul brood to be depended upon ?” I am only too 
