Siptember 29, 1887. ] 
JOURNAT OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTaGE GARDENER. 
281 
locality is extremely rich in Ferns ; in addition to Tree Ferns in abun¬ 
dance there are numerous others, including Adiantum caudatum, A. 
hispidulum, Davallia tenuifolia in huge masses draping the branches, Pteris 
geranifolia, P. cretica, and many others, whilst the trees are draped 
with such species as Asplenium furcatum, Elaphoglossum conforme, Ac. 
Lilium neilgherense is also found in abundance in the neighbourhood. 
It is frequently seen growing out of the fissures of damp cliffs and 
rocks, and seems to like a good deal of moisture. As a rule it produces 
only a single flower on each stem, but I have frequently seen from two 
to three on a stem, and I believe as many as six blooms have been 
counted on one stem. It is a very beautiful plant in its wild state. It 
is now, I believe becoming very scarce owing to the ravages of 
collectors. 
After building the house on the Deva Shola plantation, I laid out a 
small flower garden in front, planting it mostly with Verbenas and 
Petunias the first year, which at that time were all the plants I had 
available. I devoted a bed to each variety, and the result was startling 
and unexpected. After the north-east rains ceased the plants began to 
bloom, and for a whole year presented such an appearance as I never 
saw before produced by plants of the same kind. The beds during that 
time were simply a blaze of the brightest coloured flowers, and were the 
admiration of all who saw them. On the pillars of the verandah I had 
Passiflora edulis, which gave me fruit all the year round, Bignonias and 
Mandevilla suaveolens, which yielded its sweet scented flowers abun¬ 
dantly at all seasons. By the way,. I have seen this plant in the 
Botanical Gardens at Oatacamund which had found its way to the top 
of a large tree, covering the crown of its supporter with a wealth of its 
pure white blossoms, which is another proof of the mild nature of the 
climate. The above-named gardens are extremely interesting and are 
well managed, but I shall have more to say regarding them perhaps in 
my next paper.— Planter. 
(To be continued.) 
HARDY FRUIT GARDEN, 
Late Apples. —Many err in gathering these too early, or before they 
either part readily from the trees or the seeds are brown. This is some¬ 
times owing to those responsible following the time-honoured custom of 
clearing whole orchards or all the garden trees at about the same time. 
If there is no avoiding this practice it is advisable to commence gather¬ 
ing when the late sorts are fit, instead of being ruled by the earlier varie¬ 
ties. The former, if gathered and stored at the proper time, are by far 
the most valuable ; whereas, if picked or dragged from the trees before 
they are fit for storing they rarely attain to perfection, the fruit keeping 
badly and shrivel prematurely. In the case of all garden trees or small 
orchards in proximity to the house or garden there is no excuse for tco 
early gathering. With us it is now an almost daily habit of looking 
round all the trees. The Apples change rapidly, and those unfit to 
gather early in the week may be quite ready by the end of the week. 
Cox’s Orange Pippin, one of the most valuable dessert sorts we have, 
were in some positions fit for gathering by the third week in September, 
others will be stored early in October. King of the Pippins, an earlier 
sort, and nearly as long keeping, ought in most backward localities to 
be yet on the trees. With us they ripen unevenly, and are gathered 
piecemeal. Blenheim Pippin will hold on till early in October, at which 
time Court of Wick, Adam’s Pearmain, Marsil, and Ribston Pippin 
promise to be ready for careful storage. Braddick’s Nonpareil, one of 
the best winter varieties, we gather rather early, but Ross Nonpareil, 
Pearson’s Plate, Rushock Pearmain, and Wyken Pippen are still far 
from being fit for storing, though the case may be different on warmer 
soils. The last to be gathered are Court-Pendu-Plat, Northern Spy, 
Scarlet Nonpareil, and Cornish Gilliflower. Golden Knob, a favourite 
Kentish Apple, ought to remain on the trees longer than any, and 
Sturmer Pippin must not hastily be gathered, or this valuable late sort 
will be of little real service, being tough and dry when gathered too 
soon. The foregoing remarks also apply to many of the later culinary 
varieties. Emperor Alexander, Golden Noble, Waltham Abbey Seedling, 
Cellini, Cox’s Pomona, Hoary Morning, all may be gathered soon after 
the Codlin. Ecklinville, Flower of Kent, Lord Derby, Hollandbury, 
Kentish Pippin, and Tom Putt with us will be gathered at the end of 
September, these being followed by such later sorts as Tower of Glamis, 
Mere de Manage, Beauty of Kent, Warner’s King, Dumelow’s Seedling, 
Lemon Pippin, Royal Somerset, and London Pippin. The last to be 
gathered and used will be the Alfriston, Betty Geeson, Reinette de 
Canada, Hanwell Souring, Hambledon Deux Ans, Winter Greening, and 
Norfolk Beefing. 
Those who are fortunate in having large crops of good fruit may be 
in a dilemma as to where to stow it all. Ordinary kitchen Apples need 
not be stored thinly on dry shelves or floors ; on the contrary, they keep 
better in every way when stored in good-sized heaps. Nor need these 
heaps be formed in a dry room. Outhouses and even a well-drained spot 
in the open air are quite as suitable. In every case none but quite sound 
fruit should be stored, these being carefully handled and covered with 
mats or dry straw in order to exclude both cold winds and severe frosts. 
It is unwise to cover these heaps for several days after they are formed,, 
unless it be to keep off rains or frost. Close musty sheds or disused 
Mushroom houses are unfit for the storage of Apples, the fruit in all 
such places soon becoming badly tainted. Straw and hay may be fresh, 
and sweet for a time, but it soon becomes musty, and ought in no case 
to come into contact with dessert Apples. Clean boards, or, better still, 
boards covered with clean paper, drawers, and boxes, are much the best 
for the fruit to rest on or to be stored in from the first. 
Late Pears. —There are few more reliable September than Beurrd 
d’Amanlis, and it is especially good this season. It keeps badly, and' 
should therefore be used quickly. By the end of September the large, 
distinct, and valuable Pitmaston Duchess will be available. This should 
be grown in different positions, gathered at intervals and tenderly 
handled, in which manner it is possible to secure a succession of delicious 
fruit till November. Fondante d’Automne is a good October Pear, and 
the ever-popular Louise Bonne of Jersey can seldom be kept after 
October. Marie Louise d’Uccle is quite distinct from the good old Marie 
Louis?, and does not keep so well. The last named and also the only 
slightly inferior Doyenne du Comice ought to be gathered at intervals in 
order to prolong their season as long as possible, no other sorts we hav e 
being relished when these are in season. Both may be frequently kept as 
late as the middle of November. Marechal de Cour is in season about 
the same time as Marie Louise, while the rather second-rate Beurr6 Diel 
keeps at least a fortnight longer. Care should be taken not to gather 
the Crassannes too early, or shrivelling and diyness may be the conse¬ 
quence. The best of them, Althorp Crassanne, is in season from October 
to December. Thompson’s and Van Mons Ldon Leclerc are both in 
season late in October, and frequently keep to the middle of November, 
Huyshe’s Prince Consort and Princess of Wales must not be dragged 
from the trees, both of these with us being especially liable to shrivel, 
Hacon’s Incomparable is good through November and December, 
Napoleon being in season about the same time. The delicious Winter 
Nelis is rarely fit to gather before October, and should keep good from 
November to February. Chaumontel with us usually hangs late. Beurrd- 
Bachelier must be watched closely or fine fruit may fall and be spoilt. 
It is available during December, and is a good Pear. General Todleben 
must also be watched closely both as regards the time to gather and 
when to eat it; it hangs rather late with us, and seldom keeps good 
through November. Glou Morcjeau ought to be one of the last to be 
gathered. Leave both this, Easter Beurrc, Beurrd Ranee, Bergamotte 
Esperen, Beurrd d’Aremberg, Jean de Witte, Ne Plus Meuris, and 
Olivier de Serres on the trees till such times as they part freely when 
gently raised. Most of them are very frequently gathered too soon, 
those in charge, knowing their value as good late keepers, being very 
anxious to get them safely stored. If birds are troublesome net over 
the trees. All the Pears should be stowed either in drawers or on shelves, 
as much as possible in single layers, with their stalks uppermost. Avoid 
keeping the room very hot, and guard against either low temperatures or 
cold draughts. 
Root-pruning Fruit Trees. —In most districts the work of par¬ 
tially lifting and root-pruning may safely be commenced. It is better 
done now for several reasons, among these being the fact that there will 
yet be time for fresh fibres to be formed before the leaves fall, and 
besides, the work, owing to the comparative dryness of the ground, can 
better be carried out in September and October. Trees that persist in 
growing vigorously without fruiting, if given a check at the roots, may 
soon be rendered fruitful, probably during the next season ; while any 
that are rooting too deeply, and as a consequence are become sickly and 
of little real service, may also be improved or renovated by lifting. 
Those planted against walls, as well as those in the open, are benefited 
by partial lifting. To wholly" lift large trees might kill them, but if 
one-half of the roots are searched out, shortened with a sharp knife, and 
relaid in good fresh compost this autumn, and the remainder next year, 
the process will be both safe and effective. The first trench should be 
opened at least 6 feet distant from the stem of a large tree, and about 
4 feet from younger or smaller trees. Usually some of the most deeply 
running roots are immediately under the stem, hence the necessity for 
gradually undermining till these are reached and cut through. If plenty 
of turfy loam is available little else need be added to the border, though 
we find the roots delight in plenty of burnt garden refuse when this is 
freely mixed with the compost. Transplanting ought not to be 
attempted yet. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Strawberries in Pots. —The autumn fruiters, if any are grown, 
should be encouraged with weak guano water or sulphate of ammonia, 
1 oz. of the first and half ounce of the latter to a gallon of water, and in 
the case of heavy rains and the fruit approaching ripening the plants 
should be placed in frames with abundant ventilation, which will 
improve the quality and colour considerably. TJje varieties most suit¬ 
able for autumn fruiting are La Grosse Sucree, Sir Harry, and 
Yicomtesse Hericart de Thury. Plants that have been forced in spring, 
shaken out, repotted, and grown on are excellent for autumn and 
early -winter fruiting, or if planted out and duly attended to they can 
be lifted at the end of September, potted, and placed in a cold frame. 
Any autumn fruiters not required to fruit for some time yet may be 
retarded by placing them on a north border. 
A loose Surface for Strawberries in pots prevents the soil leaving 
the sides of the pots, and admits of the water passing equally through 
