June U, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
475 
blundered ; then of course blamed the book ; but here by following 
exactly the same instructions a “ beginner ” tries his hands, and realises 
a profit on outlay which may fairly be put at 400 per cen*^. The account 
really shows nearly 500 per cent., but a reduction is made for 1 hour, 
and this, with the value of the manure in the beds, provides full 
compensation. Mr. Bennett does not “ blame the book” nor doubt the 
statements in it. 
It will be observed that manure in this case cost a little over 5s. 6d. 
a ton, and that the Mushrooms sold at an average of Is. 4d. a pound 
during the months named, which are the only months in which Mush¬ 
rooms can be profitably grown on ridges in the open air. That they can 
be so grown with advantage when suitable manure is obtainable at a 
reasonable price is beyond question, and as a matter of fact not a few 
London market gardeners, growers of vegetables and fruit, have found 
Mushrooms far more remunerative than any other crop during the past 
and present year. 
It is not to be understood that every person who attempts the 
practice indicated will succeed to anything like the same extent that 
Mr. Bennett h.as, because some persons are more apt in appreciating the 
cardinal points in instructions than others are, and in carrying them 
out; but his experience is conclusive, that with suitable materials and 
intelligent management failure will not occur. He has proved the 
accuracy of every statement and every estimate in the work which 
“ Inquirer ” referred to so doubtingly with a very large margin to spare 
in favour of the author.—J. W.] 
WOKK.foii™!WEEK.. 
fruit forcing. 
Peaches axd Nectakines. — Earliest House. —When the fruit is 
all gathered from individual trees, the wood on which it has been pro¬ 
duced should be cut away to the .shoot at its base, which is to afford 
the bearing -wood for next season, except if the fruit has been produced 
on wood that is necessiry to retain for the extension of the trees.. All 
growths not absolutely necessary for bearing next season or for the 
extension of the trees must be cut away, as it is important the foliage 
be fully exposed to light and air, and it is equally important that it die 
naturally, not prematurely through attacks of red spider or lack of 
moisture at the roots. Employ the syringe freely, keep the inside 
borders well watered, and the outside border must not be neglected if 
the weather be dry. Admit all the air possible, and when the buds are 
plump,and the wood thoroughly ripened, the roof lights, where moveable, 
may be taken off. 
Trees Ripenitifi their Fruit. —In gathering the fruit great care is 
necessary, as slight pressure is sufficient to spoil the appearance. 
Gather fruit for packing before it is quite ripe. Some netting suspended 
beneath the trees is useful to prevent falling fruits being bruised, but let 
the netting be “ pocketed ” so as to prevent the fruit clashing against each 
other. Ventilate freely, leaving a little air on constantly, and to ensure 
the preservation of the foliage in health sprinkle the paths, borders, and 
all available surfaces with water in the morning and afternoon, not 
allowing the soil to become dry, but giving water as required. A mulch¬ 
ing of short spent material is very useful in preventing the surface 
cracking and the roots going down in quest of moisture. Syringing 
must cease directly the fruit commences to soften for ripening, or the 
moisture will cause the skin to crack and leave an unpleasant musty 
flavour, as well as spoiling its appearance. 
Trees Started in January. —Afrer the fruit takes the last swelling 
give every attention to the trees in watering with liquid manure or 
affording water through a mulch of short manure. The shoots should 
be allowed to extend, not pinching the laterals in too closely, but they 
must be prevented shading the fruit, which must be raised with its apex 
to the fullest light. This can be cffectel by placing laths across the 
trellis securing them to the wires. Continue forcible syringing morning 
and afternoon until the fruit begins ripening, then cease syrrnging ; but 
do not allow the border and other surfaces to become parchingly dry, as 
moderate moisture, provided the ventilation is libera’, will not injure the 
fruit and it is absolutely necessary for the benefit of the foliag^ The 
preceding remarks apply to trees that have been brought forward gently, 
and in consequence will ripen their fruit a month later than those 
started at the same time and brought forward as rapidly as consistent 
with ripening their crops. 
Trees Started in February. —The fruit of these is stoning. It has 
made satisfactory progress, attaining to a good size, as is always the 
case when the trees are not hurried, not overcropped, and well attended 
to as regards aliment and proper exposure of the foliage to light and air 
with free ventilation on all favourable occasions. To continue the fruit 
in steady progress and insure its stoning satisfactorily there must not 
be any deficiency of moisture at the roots, and the foliage must be kept 
clean by daily syringings, and if necessary by the prompt application of 
an insecticide. Continue the temperature at 60° to 65° artificially, and 
a free circulation of air allowed between 70° and 75°, having it full when 
the latter is reachel, and close at 75° with plenty of atmospheric 
moisture. If the temperature rise to 80° or 85° it will not do any harm^ 
but admit a little air after nightfall, so as to allow the pent up moisture 
to e cape and tire temperature to gradually cool through the night. 
Commence increasing the ventilation with the advancing heat from 65°. 
Later Houses. —If it is desired to retard the fruit in any of these, so 
as to prolong the season of supply, it is best effected by freer and 
lengthened ventilation during the day and night when mild. Indeed 
there is only need to ventilate day and night to keep back the crop, so 
as to ripen about the same time, as that usually occurs with trees 
against walls, and by judicious ventilation the fruit may be had over a 
lengthened period. It is necessary not to overburden the trees with 
more fruit in the early stages of growth than can remain for the crop, 
and a moderate crop is always better than a heavy one ; therefore thin 
well in the early stages, leaving a few more than will be required 
ultimately. Keep the trees well syringed, and mulch lightly, so as to 
keep the surface moist, thereby encouraging the roots to the surface, 
giving thorough applications of water when necessary, and if the trees 
are weak or heavily burdened with fruit afford liquid manure. 
Pines. — Fruit Itipening. —When the fruits commence colouring 
syringing must cease, but the supply of moisture or water at the roots 
must be maintained, affording it whenever necessary. With a view to 
improve the quality of the fruit ventilate whenever circumstances 
permit, but do not allow the temperature to fall below 80° in the day, 
applying fire heat to maintain a night temperature of 70° to 75°, 
gradually reducing the moisture in the house. Queen and Providence 
Pines started in February will ripen this month, coming in about three 
weeks or a month before Smooth-leaved Cayenne, Charlotte Rothschild, 
and similar varieties started at the same time and under similar con- 
diti ns. They afford a good successional supply, which may be stiU 
further extended by removing some of the plants with the fruits to a 
cooler house. Although the Providence Pine is not equal to a Queen in 
quality, yet its size being superior grow a limited number, as large 
fruits are useful at parties if only for effect in table decorations; The 
heat at the roots should be 85° to 90°. 
Plants for Winter Fruiting. —The strongest of the plants in the 
fruiting pots last September will now be showing fruit, if not means- 
must not further be delayed to effect it for a supply of fruit for winter 
us°. Bring the plants together and subject them to a comparative 
state of rest for the next month or six weeks, lowering the heat at the 
roots to 75°, maintaining a free circulation of air about the plants in 
favourable wmather, ventilating at 75°, and allowing the heat to fall to- 
that degree before closing the house, only employing artificial heat^ to 
prevent the temperature falling below 60° at night, not withholding 
water altogether, but whenever a plant becomes dry afford it liberally. 
The smaller sirckers of last autumn that we'e wintered in 7 and 8-ineh 
pots, and shifted this spring, must be kept growing until the pots are 
we’l filled with roots, at which time, if considered necessary, they may 
be subjected to the same treatment as advised for the larger ones, and 
these plants wiil then give a successional supply of fruit. 
Spring Potted Suchers. —The strongest of those potted last March 
may be in their largest pots, if not there must not be any further delay, as 
to allow them to become root-bound is detrimental to their after well¬ 
doing. Recently potted plants require regular bottom heat of 85° to 
95°, and to be thoroughly watered after potting, not giving any more 
until the soil becomes dry. A too wet soil is not favourable to the 
formation of roots. 
Ventilating, Watering, and Shading. —Young stock will be rnaking 
rapid progress, and must be regularly attended to in every particular, 
allowing such plants sufficient space for development, as nothing is so 
injurious to a sturdy growth as crowding in the early stages. Ventilate 
early in the day at 75° to 80°, to render the foliage dry before it is 
affected by the sun. Examine the plants twice a week for watering, not 
giving any until it is needed, and then a thorough soaking vyith tepid 
liquid manure, being careful not to give it too strong. Discontinue 
shading succession plants ; but fruiting plants with the crowns in close- 
proximity to the glass will require a slight shade from powerful sun. 
Syringe the plants on bright afternoons, and otherwise maintain .a 
genial condition of the atmosphere by sprinkling the house, but avoid 
moisture in dull weather, as it only tsnis to cause soft growth. So- 
long as water remains in the axils of the leaves syringing is not much 
required, and pour the water well up the plants, as the leaves have 
roots at their base that contribute to the vigour of the plants ami 
swelling of the fruits. jv i 
Potting Suchers. —The early-fruitei plan’s as they finish will afford 
suckers, which shoull be taken in sufficient quantity to meet the 
demand and started at once, which will afford plants for fruiting about 
this time next year, forming supplementary plants to those started in 
the spring. The treatment then given will answer for these, only they 
will require more careful shading and frequent attention to damping,, 
keeping close until rooted as indicated by their commencing to grow. 
Fig?. — Early Forced - Generous treatment will be needed 
after the first crops are gathered to enable the trees to sw'ell the second. 
Syringe twice a day to keep red spider in check, and afford liquid 
manure when watering is necessary, trees in pots requiring it daily, 
sometimes twice a day, and trees in borders once or twice a week, 
according to the extent of the rooting area. The second crop should be 
thinned before the fruit is the size of Walnuts, and in thinning reserve 
the largest fruits at the base of the shouts. Mulch trees in pots with 
rich material. 
Succession Horaces.—SWiQXi the fruit commences ripening a free cir¬ 
culation of wa^m dry air should be afforded, which is essential to high 
