June 14, 1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
483 
grown Asparagus becomes very top-heavy, and is liable to be broken 
down and nearly twisted off during rough wet weather. This should be 
prevented. Somewhat isolated growths can be supported by means of a 
stake to each, groups could be supported by Pea stakes, and lines of 
growths by a few uprights and running rods. 
Young: JVsparagus. —Seedlings of either last year’s or this season’s 
raising will transplant now, the latter scarcely ceasing to grow if moved 
during showery weather. This admits of blanks in beds already formed 
being filled now instead of waiting till next spring, while if seeds are 
sown in rows where the bulk of the plants are to remain these also ean 
be regulated and filled where necessary. As a rule Asparagus seed 
germinates freely, not much that is sound failing to grow. Where sown 
thickly there will most probably be found many more plants than ought 
to be left. Thin out to at least 4 inches asunder. Beds to be kept free 
of weeds and from cracking by means of occasional surface hoeings. 
Lettuce might still be grown on newly formed beds, but even these 
harbour slugs, and nothing but scarcity of garden room justifies sowing 
or planting them among Asparagus. All the while the weather keeps 
showery slugs must be kept in check by means of trapping, hand¬ 
picking and frequent dustings of the plants with soot and lime, other¬ 
wise they will skin all the stems and ruin the Asparagus. 
Borecole. —If the ground is ready for this important crop it ought 
to be planted directly the plants are large enough to put out. None of 
the varieties can very well be grown too strongly. Plant on moderately 
rich firm ground, and allow a distance of 2 feet asunder. Where 
Borecole has to succeed other crops the plants ought either to he raised 
somewhat late and thinly, or pricked out temporarily in nursery beds, 
transplanting from these with a trowel. 
Broccoli. —To have abundance of Broccoli in close succession to 
Autumn Giant Cauliflower a good breadth of Veitch’s Autumn Protecting 
Broccoli ought to be put out now. Give the plants the benefit of a 
deeply dug, moderately rich piece of ground, and place them 2 feet 
apart in row’s 30 inches asunder. Move from beds where pricked out a 
few hours after watering if at all dry, and transplant with a trowel, 
saving as much soil as possible about the roots. Those in seed beds 
may safely be drawn and di'obled out, but any pricked out are, when 
subjected to this method of transplanting, very slow in recovering from 
the check. Seeing that the bulk of the plants of this or any other early 
autumn Broccoli will have hearted in before very severe frosts are 
usually experienced, there is nothing to prevent planting them freely 
among widely disposed rows of early Potatoes. According as the latter 
are dug draw the soil up to the Broccoli stems. Successional and late 
Broccoli, whether put out now or a few days or weeks later, according 
as the ground is cleared of Potatoes, Peas, Strawberries, and such like, 
should have much firmer though not very poor ground. The sturdier 
and shorter in the stem they can be kept the less liable are they to he 
damaged by frost, hence the necessity for raising the plants thinly and 
not too early, and planting on solid ground. Any planted now on 
recently dug ground should have extra room allowed them. Sprouting 
Broccoli is the most reliable kind, and this should be treated very 
similarly to Scotch or other Borecole. 
Brussels Sprouts. —No time ought to he lost in planting the 
main portion of this most important crop. What suits Borecole will also 
do for these. The plants given a fairly long period of growth on 
moderately rich ground invariably give the best results. If early 
short-topped Potatoes have been planted in rows 3 feet or rather more 
apart, plant the Brussels Sprouts 30 inches asunder between these. See 
that the haulm does not smother the young plants, this, however, being 
scarcely probable this season, and as fast as the Potatoes are lifted 
bank the soil up to the stems of the Brussels Sprouts. They require to 
be thus steadied when well grown. On firmer ground, well in the 
open, the plants may be disposed 2 feet asunder in rows 3 feet apart. 
Cauliflowers. — Supposing the main crop of Autumn Giant Cauli¬ 
flower was raised this spring and duly pricked out the plants ought to 
be at once finally planted out. They will succeed among widely disposed 
early Potatoes, but are more often accorded a good open spot. Fresh, 
well manured ground suits this as well as all other varieties of 
Cauliflower, and if extra flue hearts are required allow the same space 
as recommended for early Broccoli. Early and successional Cauliflowers 
are now hearting freely, and will be greatly improved in size and 
quality if given an occasional soaking of good liquid manure. Keep a 
sharp look out for caterpillars, and place some of the older leaves well 
over the hearts with a view to preventing greening. 
Coleworts. —A good supply of these during the autumn and early 
winter months rarely fails of appreciation. The London or Eosette 
Colewort is perhaps the most popular, and with this may well be grown 
Shilling’s Queen and Nonpareil, the Winningstadt also doing good 
service when raised and planted early. Sow the seed at once and 
protect from birds. 
Chou de Burghley. —If seeds of this are sown late in April or 
early in May, and the plants put out at the same time as Maincrop and 
late Broccoli, excellent hearts should be had at midwinter and later. 
When raised earlier and grown strongly, nothing but rank growth and 
coarse hearts need be expected. Plant any time during the next month, 
18 inches apart in rows 2 feet asunder, and make the ground firm. 
Treat Couve Tronchuda very similarly. 
Savoys. —Those from seeds sown late will soon be quite large 
enough for planting, and if the plants are not long kept in the seed beds 
they will heart-in quite as soon as wanted. The smaller quick-hearting 
varieties, of which Tom Thumb is a good type, may be planted 12 inches 
apart each way, and are the best for the outside rows. Next these may 
be arranged Dwarf Ulm, planting this 15 inches asunder, and similar 
space may be given the taller and later Dwarf Green Curled. Drum¬ 
head is the strongest and latest of all, and this should be put out 
18 inches apart each way. An east border suits Savoys well, and the 
ground should be moderately rich and firm. 
PLANT HOUSES. 
.A.llamandas.— If these are to flower profusely and continue to do 
so over a long period of time the plants must be fully exposed to the 
sun and be kept growing. Once they are brought to a standstill 
the wood becomes firm and ceases to flower. If grown in pots early 
started plants will have filled them with roots, and should be top-dressed 
with rich material consisting of one-third rich loam, and the remainder 
cow manure. If the pots are full a strip of zinc or piece of turf may be 
arranged round the sides of the pots close to the rim, and the compost 
placed inside. The roots will soon take possession of this, and then 
weak stimulants may be given every time the plants need water, or 
better still, a little chemical manure applied to the surface at intervals 
of a fortnight. On no account allow the plants to suffer by an insuffi¬ 
cient supply of water. Give air daily, and maintain a close moist 
atmosphere. 
Stephanotls florlbunda. —Although this plant does not need shade, 
a slight covering is beneficial during the hottest part of the day through 
the flowering season. It prevents the flowers opening too rapidly, and 
they also last in good condition for a longer period. Plants that are 
trained under the roof and are growing rapidly may have the young 
shoots drawn out and allowed to hang down. Some attention is needed 
two or three times a week, or the shoots soon become twisted together. 
This method allows of the main shoots being trained more closely under 
the roof. The shoots that hang from the roof flower profusely, and the 
plant can be kept much cleaner by a free use of the syringe than 
when the whole of the growths are closely trained together under the 
roof. From the present time plants that are in full activity should not 
be kept too warm, close, or moist. A temperature of 60° at night will 
he ample with a liberal application of air during the day, this will 
ensure firm growth that will flower well. If the plants are grown in 
pots and crowded with roots a surface dressing of decayed manure will 
prove beneficial. 
Bougainvillea glabra. —Plants that have been brought forward 
in brisk heat and are showing their flowers should be removed gradually 
to cooler and more airy quarters. When the flowers are developed in 
brisk heat they are devoid of colour. The best coloured flowers are 
those from plants grown in an intermediate temperature, and then 
developed with abundance of air. Plants that are growing freely 
under these conditions may have the weakest shoots thinned, so that the 
stronger ones retained when fully exposed to the sun will flower 
for 4 or 5 feet of their length. Stimulants either in the form of liquid 
or chemical manure must be given if the plants are confined in small 
borders or pots. 
Caladlums. —When grown in small pots plants of C. argyrites are 
invaluable for purposes of decoration. If a large number of smaller 
plants are needed those mentioned may be divided and placed again 
in 2J-inch pots, putting them in a shady moist place until they begin to 
grow. Varieties of larger growth should be repotted if necessary. These 
plants are useful for the conservatory or other houses where effective 
arrangements have to be considered during the summer. From this 
time slight shade will be needed for a few hours during the hottest part 
of the day, but on no account must Caladiums be overshaded. 
Justlcla flavlcoma. —The earliest cuttings will be well rooted, and 
may be placed in 4-inch pots and grown for a time in an intermediate 
temperature. Old plants that were partially cut back will have 
made clean healthy cuttings, which may be inserted singly in thumb 
pots. Every one will root in brisk heat under hand-lights. Once the 
necessary stock of cuttings have been inserted the old plants may be 
thrown away. 
Gloxinias. —Seedlings that have been placed in pans or boxes and 
need more room may be bedded out in a frame or a slight hotbed with 
suitable soil on the surface. They grow rapidly under these conditions, 
and yield an enormous number of flowers. Where accommodation of 
this nature cannot be given they may be transplanted into boxes and 
allowed to flower in them. 
APIARIAN NOTES. 
SUPEEING. 
Although the weather continues unfavourable, with the season 
still before us, we are living in hopes that it will not be a 
barren one of honey. The fruit prospect has gone, and Clover and 
pasture generally is much injured by the late frosts, and the 
Heather has still a wintery appearance. We must, however, prepare 
for brighter times. It is marvellous how some persons allow them¬ 
selves to be guided by those of less experience. A few years ago 
it was the rage amongst many bee-keepers to have large holes in 
the crowns of their hives to give the bees free access to and from 
