July 25, 1889. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
77 
trees have of trellis, duly watered and fed from the surface, the manures 
being phosphatic— i.e., where there is a tendency to soft growth using 
mineral as copi'olites, and superphosphate ordinarily ; 3, the shoots 
thinly trained ; no overcropping or neglect of thinning in the early 
stages, and a genial atmosphere so as to insure steady progressive 
growth. 
The leaves should be drawn aside and the fruit raised by means of 
laths across the trellis, so that the apex will be exposed to the light. 
Water the border inside and outside with liquid manure, and keep the 
surface mulched with rather lumpy manure. Avoid a close fine surface 
likely to form a soapy mass, and exclude air. Ventilate early, in fact 
leave a little air on all night, syringing by 7 A.M., and through the early 
part of the day ventilate freely. When the sun loses power in the 
afternoon reduce the ventilation, and raise the temperature to 85° or 90° 
about 4 p.m. with a good syringing and damping of surfaces, but it must 
be done with judgment, for when the water hangs for any length of 
time on the fruit during the last swelling it is liable to damage the 
skin, causing it to crack, or if not that, it may impart a musty flavour, 
therefore have the fruits dry before nightfall, and when the day is likely 
to be dull omit the morning syringing. Directly the fruit commences 
ripening cease syringing, but afford moisture by damping available sur¬ 
faces, especially the border whenever it becomes dry, ventilating rather 
freely, and sufficiently at night to insure a free circulation of air. 
Late Houses .—The fruit in these is later than usual; in fact, there 
will be little need to retard the ripening by having recourse to very 
abundant night ventilation. In order to assist the swelling observe the 
conditions laid down in the preceding paragraph. To accelerate the 
ripening, if required, ventilate rather freely in the early part of the day 
and till one o’clock, then conserve the heat by reducing the ventilation 
so as to seenre 80° to 85°, and about 4 p.m. close the house, syringing 
well, and no harm will come if the temperature rise to 90° or 95 n , venti¬ 
lating a little about six o’clock so as to let the pent up moisture escape, 
and the temperature gradually cool down. Tie down as growths advance, 
allowing no more than are necessary for next year’s fruiting, or for 
furnishing the trees, letting all have space for development, and the full 
exposure of the foliage to light and air. Keep laterals stopped to one 
leaf, also retain growth to attract the sap to the fruit. If there are any 
gross shoots which push laterals from the leaf buds, cut them back to 
where the buds remain intact, or if likely to disarrange the equilibrium 
of the trees, the equalisation of the sap, cut them out altogether. They 
only tend to promote gumming, imperfect setting, and certain casting 
of the fruit in stoning. Draw the leaves away from the fruit, raise it 
from the under side of the trellis, and let it have as much sun and air 
as possible. Peaches are not much prized unless coloured, the flavour 
corresponding thereto, other conditions being favourable. 
KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Cabbages fob Spring. —The spring Cabbage crop is one of our 
most important, and should be as early and good as possible in March 
or April. For private use Cabbages are much valued then, and in the 
market they invariably command remunerative prices. It should, 
therefore, be the aim of all to make earliness a feature in their culture. 
This depends to a considerable extent on the time the seed is sown. We 
have sown at various times, and prefer the end of July or the beginning 
of August. We are not particular to a day or two one way or the other, 
but our Cabbage seed will be sown very shortly after the publication of 
this note. Care should be taken to select a known early variety. The 
seed rarely fails either sown broadcast or in rows in rich well prepared 
soil. One of the best positions in the garden should be chosen for the 
seed bed. Thin sowing gives the most robust plants. When the ground 
is very dry we open drills, water them well, sow an hour or so after¬ 
wards, and cover immediately. This insures rapid and free germination. 
Tomatoes. —The season is proving an admirable one for Tomatoes in 
the open air. We have quantities of fruit ripe on a south wall. There 
is no secret in their culture, or one of the gamekeepers who put out 
some of our plants against his cottage would not have such fine ripe 
fruit as he enjoys. There is no indication of disease, and so long as the 
growths are kept well thinned fertilisers may be given, but only to 
plants bearing heavy crops. Any that are not yet in fruit should only 
have pure water and not too much of this, as a check to luxuriance 
induces fruitfulness, high feeding encouraging sterility. Expose the 
fruits to the sun, and cut all those off as fast as they ripen. 
Vegetable Maebows and Ridge Cucumbers.— The warm dry 
weather has induced these to fruit early and heavily. The tender young 
Marrows cut in July have been very acceptable. It is only when young 
and tender that they are good, and if the fruits become so numerous 
that they cannot all be used they should be cut and disposed of before 
the skin becomes hard, as when they begin to form seed bearing soon 
ceases. This also applies to ridge Cucumbers, and it is too early in the 
season yet to allow either to be checked from such a cause. Should 
the plants be growing on manure heaps, and producing many super¬ 
fluous shoots, keep these well thinned, as it is only Bhort-jointed well- 
exposed shoots that produce fruit at every joint. 
Exdive.— The Broad-leaved Batavian is a general favourite, as it is 
hardier than the curled varieties and heavier, while in quality it is as 
good as any. All who are in favour of Endive for salad should sow 
freely now, as when sown too late the plants fail to attain the full size and 
hardiness before the frost come3. The seed may be sown thinly in rows 
to allow of some of the plants being left permanently, drawing others 
for transplanting. 
Eaely Seed Potatoes. —It is a good plan to leave some of the 
early Potatoes in the ground for seed till the stems are completely 
withered, as the tubers are only then completely ripe ; at the same 
time they must not be left too long, or they will start growing after a 
rest and rain. 
Spent Cbops. —Many of the midsummer crops are considerably pas! 
their best, and ought to be removed without delay to make room for 
winter Turnips, autumn Spinach, and Greens. Where Peas have been 
growing in trenches, so soon as they are removed a row of Celery may 
be put in without any further preparation than clearing the surface. 
Pea stakes that were new this spring may be stored for use next season, 
as they are useful the second year to mix in with a few fresh ones. 
Eaething dp Celeby. —We were afraid that the drought would 
induce many of our Celery plants to form stems, but so far we have not 
observed any, and the earliest plants are now ready for their first earth¬ 
ing. We begin by giving them a thorough soaking of liquid manure, 
then a few of the lower leaves are removed, the soil is broken fine and 
put round each plant without allowing any of it to fall into the centre. 
To prevent this a piece of matting may be tied round each plant before 
earthing is commenced, and removed when finished. 
Autumn-sown Onions. —The hot weather has suited these, and 
many of them are of fine size and form, but should rain come they will 
soon split. This spoils them for keeping or exhibition, and it is a good 
plan to examine them weekly and draw up the best bulbs before they 
become deformed. They may be suspended in a cool shed immediately 
after being taken from the ground. 
IW. 
Tip 
MUSI 
HE BEE-KEEPER. 
., ., ., . I. , -1 - 1 -11 - TT,. I - ,. ,. r - r- I . T . ). i . - y a^JrirT 
NOTES ON BEES. 
THE HEATHER SEASON. 
After welcome rains we hope sunshine will be the rule for 
some time to come. Few hives will require feeding this year, and 
as the Heather season is nearly upon us they are in splendid con¬ 
dition for making the best of fine weather. Hives which generally 
do best at the Heather are those having young queens at their head, 
with an abundance of brood in large-sized hives. These essentials 
prevent swarming and secure ample store combs when a honey glut 
comes, which, as is well known, is greater from Heather than any 
other bee pasturage. The hives should be secured so that no 
bees can escape, and ventilated for preventing suffocation and 
incipient foul brood. Yehicles having light springs should be 
employed, and shallow frames are suitable for safe travelling and 
for depriving purposes. Where choice of site can be had always 
select that most sheltered, as, like covering supers well, it enables 
the bees to build combs during the nights, which are often colder 
in August and September than in June or July. The direction 
hives stand is of less importance provided the wind does not blow 
hard on their entrances. Do not spare the covering, but have 
ample, so that the heat of the sun does not penetrate the interior, 
which is apt to melt the combs, prevent the bees working, and thus 
greatly lessening the yield of honey. 
BEES FOR PROFIT. 
That bees yield a profit greater than that derived from any- 
other rural occupation there is no question, but we prefer to see 
the number of bee-keepers increased rather than extensive and 
fewer apiaries. There are many striving cottagers who, from the- 
overwhelming number of bees in extensive apiaries in the neigh¬ 
bourhood, are prevented keeping bees in a satisfactory manner. 
GOOD SEASONS. 
These are always wished for and welcomed, but are sometimes 
absent. This we cannot help, but often in the poorest season there 
is a surplus of honey if the management be judicious. We wish 
everyone to share in the gracious gift of honey, and most families 
can consume the produce of two or three hives. There is further 
a large demand for genuine honey of the first quality, but it is to 
be regretted that by the too lavish use of comb foundation the 
quality is not often what it might be. 
It is well known that some writers like ourselves have encouraged 
people to engage in bee-keeping. One adviser in a contemporary, 
after congratulating those bee-keepers who were fortunate in 
bringing their hives safely through the winter, further congratulates 
them on the misfortune of their neighbours, adding that if all had 
