May 14, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
883 
them 80 carefully, and arranging them so systematically; and surely 
all who admire them must hope Mr. Barr will spend many happy years 
amongst them, and enjoy the reward to which he is justly entitled. 
There are collections of most other hardy plants in the Dittou 
fields, but as night has passed to morning not a word can be said 
about them. The pen is tired, the hand shaky, the eyes heavy, the 
mind weary, and fleecy masses of yellow and white that float across 
the vision will soon shape themselves into the form of a dream 
about Daffodils.— One of the Students. 
FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 
Success in the production of high-class fruits is due, in a great 
measure, to the skilful management of the houses and borders 
while the plants or trees are swelling their crops. A good set of 
the various fruits may be obtained, the foliage may be healthy and 
free from insects, and the prospect of securing the desired results 
may appear to be within the grasp of the anxious cultivator, when 
alas ! some unlooked-for difficulty or error of judgment may cause 
the long-cherished hopes to result in only partial success. I have 
sometimes noticed that Grapes, Peaches, and Melons in most 
establishments look particularly promising in the early stages just 
as the fruit begins swelling, but it is not usual to find them quite 
so satisfactory Avhen fully matured. I propose, therefore, to give 
a few hints on management during the time the fruits are swelling, 
with a view to assist, as far as I can, those readers of the Journal 
who desire information on the subject. 
Grapes. 
The sooner these are thinned after it can be determined with 
certainty which berries are swelling the best and most evenly, the 
better chance there is of securing Grapes of large size, because if 
this operation is deferred till the berries are as large as peas the 
bunches seldom develop into such fine examples of good culture 
as it is possible to produce. As soon as thinning is completed 
examine the border by thrusting a pointed stick into it at several 
places, and if the soil is found to be dry a thorough watering with 
liquid manure should be given, as at this stage of growth I consider 
that Vines may with advantage be kept a little moister at the 
roots than at any other time, because a good deal of growth is going 
on, the roots are in a very active state, and the berries swell with such 
rapidity as to cause a heavy strain upon the Vine. Still, a good 
deal of discretion must be exercised at all times in the matter of 
watering, after finding out the condition of the border in regard to 
the drainage and the porosity of the soil. Where Vine borders 
have been covered with plants during the winter and in the early 
stages of the Vine’s growth, and are removed when they come into 
flower, it may often be noticed that the borders will dry more than 
they did during the previous month or two. At each watering 
while the berries are swelling, liquid manure should be given, 
or one of the many good kinds of artificial manures applied as a 
dressing to the border, to be well watered in, as there can be no 
question that to obtain good crops of fruit liberal feeding must be 
practised. 
Another point which greatly assists in swelling the berries to 
their fullest size is to close the houses early on bright days and 
thoroughly saturate the atmosphere with moisture. In my 
opinion sufficient attention is not given to this matter. Houses 
■should be ventilated as soon as the temperature begins rising 
on bright mornings, and the amount of air be gradually increased 
as the day advances, and the floors and stages damped two or 
three times to create a genial atmosphere. When midday is 
reached, especially in the spring time, keep a sharp look out 
upon the weather, so as to reduce the ventilation as the sun 
loses power, or when there are signs of the advent of several 
hours’ dullness close the ventilators at once, to preserve the 
eun heat. Syringe the house freely, as there is no danger of 
the foliage being scorched so long as there is plenty of moisture 
in the atmosphere, and should the sun burst through the clouds 
later in the afternoon another damping of the floors will make 
matters safe. Where the stages and walks of vineries are of stone 
or slate these substances absorb so much moisture that heavy 
syringings are not sufficient. When houses are closed early in the 
afternoon of bright days a few cans of water should be poured 
upon the floors. I have a great belief in the efficacy of closing 
with plenty of atmospheric moisture, in order to swell fruits up to 
a large size. During the time Grapes are stoning early closing 
must be discontinued, as some varieties are apt to scald when so 
treated. 
Melons. 
These perhaps illustrate in a more striking way than any other 
fruit the beneficial effect of closing early, with plenty of moisture, 
in order to produce large fruits. Some of the finest Melons I have 
yet seen were in houses which were closed at one or two o’clock 
during the hottest days in sumrre'', the plants of course receiving 
a heavy syringing ; this operation was repeated an hour after. 
The plan was first tried in order to get some promising fruits ripe 
in time for a show. It succeeded so well that it was frequently 
practised afterwards when extra large fruits were wanted. But on 
ordinary occasions from three o’clock to half an hour later is soon 
enough to close IVIelon houses at midsummer, otherwise a great 
amount of extra labour is entailed in keeping the atmosphere 
thoroughly moist while the sun has great power. 
Peaches. 
When these have completed their first stoning they may with 
advantage be subjected to a higher temperature after the house is 
closed than many imagine ; so long as plenty of water is syringed 
upon the trees the thermometer may be safely allowed to run up 
to 90° or 95°, and I consider much may be gained in the size of the 
fruits by paying special attention to this point, while they are 
making their last swelling up to the time when colouring is well 
advanced.—H. Dunkin. 
DAFFODIL CRESSIDA. 
This fine Golden Trumpet Daffodil, recently shown by the Rev. 
W. Wilks at the Drill Hall, is not only distinguished by its golden 
FIG. 70. —DAFFODIL CKESSIDA, 
colour, but also by its massive form. The flowers have a peculiarly 
bold and impressive appearance, the corona being of great size and 
much undulated at the margin. This variety was, as a seedling from 
Troilus, some seven or eight years ago in Mr. Wilks’ garden at Shirley, 
near Croydon, and has been shown several limes, its true character 
being preserved on each occasion. The engraving has been prepared 
from an admirable drawing by Mr. John Weathers, tLe Assistant 
Secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society. 
