118 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Angus 6, 1891. 
In the corresponding class for white Grapes Mr. Inglefield was first with 
a solid, well finished bunch of Muscat of Alexandria, Mr. N. Molyneux 
second, and Mr. Budd third. 
For one Pine Apple Mr. G. H. Sage, gardener to the Earl of Dysart, 
Ham House, Richmond, was first with a well ripened Queen, Mr. Ward 
second with the same variety. Peaches were a strong class, fourteen 
dishe 3 being staged, the best highly coloured fruit of Royal George from 
Mr. G. Garner, gardener to Mrs. Braddyll, Amberwood, Christchurch. 
Second, Mr. Inglefield, with Walburton Admirable ; third, Mr. Allen. 
Mr. Ward had the best Nectarines, a very fine Pineapple ; Mr. Waite 
followed with Elruge ; and Mr. Amys with Pineapple. 
Vegetables were very fine indeed. For ten distinct varieties Messrs. 
Pope, Waite, and Wilkins were adjudged the prizes in the order named. 
Mr. Inglefield took the lead with eight varieties, having very fine 
produce ; Mr. N. Molyneux second ; Mr. Allen third. Space forbids 
mention of many other exhibits in the vegetable section, which were of 
high quality. 
Messrs. Keynes, Williams & Co., Salisbury, besides an extensive show 
of Roses and Dahlias of the florist type, had an attractive box of Cactus 
Dahlias, of which the following three received first-class certificates :— 
Baron Schroder, Lady Pembroke, and Dr. Masters. 
WORKjoivraE WE EK • 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Pines. — Cleaning Borises and Beds. —These are essential to high 
produce, therefore clean all houses as they become vacant before being 
occupied again with plants. Bottom heat is essential to speedy and 
certain wrnrk in Pine culture, hence the first thing to be seen to is the 
bed. If bottom heat be afforded by hot-water pipes the material 
forming the bed, whether of tan or leaves, should be removed at least 
once a year, or insects, particularly woodlice, rapidly increase; the 
material also harbours other predatory vermin. All brickwork may be 
scalded and brushed with hot limewash, the wood and iron work with 
soap and water thoroughly cleansed, using a brush, keeping the soapy 
water as much as possible from the glass, which should be cleaned inside 
and outside with water only. If necessary the wood and iron work may 
be painted, and the roof made as watertight as practicable. Beds that 
are chambered, having the hot-water pipes covered with slate or other 
material, are much in advance of those surrounded or passing through 
beds of rubble. Those composed of the latter should be turned over, and 
any dirt or small parts removed to allow the heat given off by the hot- 
water pipes to penetrate evenly through the whole to the bed. Provide 
fresh tan in other cases, and if wet turn it occasionally on fine sunny days. 
With hot-water pipes beneath about 3 feet depth of tan is ample, more 
will be needed where such aid is not obtained. 
Potting. —Suckers started in June will soon fill their pots with roots, 
and must be shifted into a larger size before the roots become closely 
matted together. Queens should have 9 or 10-inch pots, and those of 
stronger growth 11-inch pots. Water the plants immediately after potting, 
and plunge them in a bed having a temperature of 90° to 95°. There is 
no greater mistake in growing Pines than crowding young plants, as they 
become drawn and weakly instead of having a sturdy base. Attend to 
the bottom heat of beds that have been recently disturbed or upset by 
the removal or replacing of plants, not allowing the heat to exceed 90° 
at the base of the pots without immediately raising them, as too much 
heat will disastrously affect Pines bearing fruit or those having the pots 
filled with roots. 
Routine. —Examine the plants for watering about twice a week, and 
maintain a moist, genial, well-ventilated atmosphere. The climatic 
conditions are now so favourable that Pine plants grow vigorously ; 
therefore discontinue shading, admitting air plentifully when the 
temperature ranges from 85° to 95°, affording to fruiting plants a night 
temperature of 70° to 75°, and to succession 65° to 70° at night. Reserve, 
if possible, more for starting at the commencement of September. 
Figs. — Early Forced Trees in Pots. —Immediately the second crop of 
fruit is gathered examine the trees for red spider and scale, as keeping 
the soil somewhat drier at the roots and the drier condition of the atmo¬ 
sphere consequent on a free circulation of air encourages these pests. 
They are almost certain infestors of Fig trees in heated structures, and 
however alert the cultivator may be, these enemies get ahead during the 
ripening of the fruit; therefore, when that is cleared off the trees, 
recourse must be had to cleansing, and as the foliage and wood is far 
advanced in ripening, destructive agents may be employed at a strength 
which would not be safe at an earlier stage. If, therefore, these pests 
have made undesirable progress, it will be advisable to syringe the trees 
with a petroleum mixture, one-third half-pint or wineglassful of petro¬ 
leum to four gallons of water, in which 8 ozs. softsoaphas been dissolved, 
with 1 oz. soda, whilst boiling, one person stirring the mixture briskly 
with a broom-handle whilst another applies it to the trees with a syringe, 
so as to thoroughly wet every part of the tree, the under as well as the 
upper side of the leaves and all the wood. To prevent the mixture 
soaking into the soil a little dry moss may be tied round the stem, and 
then a sort of pyramid of the same placed about the plants. If the wood 
is badly infested employ a somewhat stiff brush for freeing it of the 
scale whilst wet. In bad cases repeat this in the course of a day or two, 
afterwards syringing thoroughly with tepid water. The trees will only 
need water to prevent the foliage becoming limp, ventilating to the 
fullest extent day and night; but protect the trees from heavy rains, 
which have a tendency to keep the growth active instead of securing that 
re3t so essential for those subjected to early forcing. 
Early Forced Planted out Trees. —The second crop is ripening and 
will need a circulation of air constantly, more of course by day than at 
night. If dull, wet weather prevail, a gentle heat in the pipes makes 
all the difference between well ripened and insipid fruit. Watering at 
the roots must be diminished, and syringing discontinued, but a 
moderate air moisture may be maintained for the benefit of the foliage. 
If red spider is present and there is heat in the pipes coat these thinly 
with sulphur, or a good syringing may be given after the fruits have 
been closely picked, choosing a time when there is a prospect of the 
moisture not remaining long upon the trees. As soon as the fruits are 
all gathered the trees may have a good washing with the syringe or 
garden engine to free the foliage of dust and red spider, otherwise a free 
circulation of dry warm air should *be maintained in the house until 
the foliage commences falling naturally, and which must not be 
accelerated by allowing the soil to become dust dry at the root3. 
Unheated I[ouses. —Fig trees grown against walls are not always 
satisfactory, especially in a wet season ; but Figs of the highest excellence 
are grown under glass. To insure a crop with certainty the structures 
should have a south aspect. The trees must have the roots restricted to 
narrow borders, one-third the width of the trellis is ample, well drained, 
and not more than 2 feet deep, composed of good loam of a calcareous 
nature, rather strong, adding one-fifth of old mortar rubbish, or chalk 
pulverised by frost, and a sixth of road scrapings. The carboniferous 
matter is essential to the formation of nitrates in the soil, and sand is an 
important constituent in building up the structure of the trees. If the 
loam be light add a fourth of clay marl broken up and intermixed, 
putting the materials together rather firmly to induce a short-jointed 
sturdy habit. With unobstructed light and provision for free ventilation 
the finest Figs may be obtained if the usual attention is given to 
watering through a light mulch of partially decayed manure, and 
feeding with liquid manure as required. It is also necessary that the 
growths be thin, acting on the extension system, but securing by 
judicious management in stopping a fair amount of spurs, and in no 
case allow more growths to be made than can have full exposure to 
light. The fruit is now advanced in swelling, and every pains must be 
taken to keep the foliage free from red spider. This may be effected by 
forcible syringing early in the afternoon, but do not syringe if there is 
no prospect of the foliage becoming dry before night. Under such 
circumstances damp the border, especially in the afternoon, and 
occasionally with liquid manure. Admit a little air early, increasing it 
with the sun heat, maintaining through the day a temperature of 
80° to 85° with free ventilation, closing early so as to run up to 
90° or 95°, even 100° ; and when the sun power is declining a little air 
may be admitted at the top so as to allow the pent-up moisture to 
escape, the temperature gradually cooling down. Water or liquid 
manure, according to circumstances, will be required once a week or 
oftener in order to keep the soil thoroughly moist. When the fruit 
begins to ripen lessen the supply of water and discontinue syringing, 
securing a circulation of air constantly, and freely ventilate when 
favourable ; but sun heat should be husbanded, and will do no harm if 
the atmosphere is not confined, a little ventilation being given so as to 
allow of the moisture escaping instead of condensing on the fruit and 
causing it to crack. 
Cherry House. —The trees are now ripe in wood and plump in bud. 
The leaves, too, will not be capable of much further effort in elaborating 
the sap and storing it in the buds and adjacent wood ; therefore any 
undue excitement will cause the trees to start into growth, which must 
be guarded against by exposing the trees to atmospheric influences as 
far as the house will admit, which is the best means of averting prema¬ 
ture growth, to which the Cherry is liable when forced year after year 
successively. The border must not be allowed to become parchingly 
dry, but must have a copious supply of water, and if the trees are weak 
afford liquid manure. To subdue red spider give an occasional washing 
with the garden engine or syringe ; but by all means remove the roof 
lights, the cleansing influence of rain and invigorating tendency of dew 
with the thorough moistening of the border having a very beneficial 
effect. Black aphides can scarcely be kept long from Cherry trees, but 
the leaves and wood at this season, from their hard texture, are not 
inviting to them, yet if they appear promptly use tobacco water or duBt 
the affected parts with snuff or tobacco powder. The narcotic is fatal to 
these hard-to-be-killed insects. Cherry trees in pots are the most inter¬ 
esting of all fruits grown that way. They offer such a variety and 
afford fruits over so long a period that it is remarkable they are not 
more commonly seen. With very slight forcing they ripen in May and 
afford a succession of fruits up to August. In a house without heat, but 
light and well ventilated, ripe Cherries can be had early in June, and a 
succession may be maintained, with proper care, up to late September. 
Early Rivers, Empress Eugbnie, May Duke, Archduke, Governor Wood, 
Royal Duke, Duchesse de Palluau, Gloire de France, and Late Duke are 
admirable varieties for pots,and succeed on theMahaleb. Black Tartarian, 
Elton, and Large Black Bigarreau are best planted out. Trees in pots 
must be regularly watered and syringed to maintain the foliage in health 
as long as pos3ible. 
