208 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ September, 
Every attention should now be given to the ripening crops of orchard fruit; Early 
Pears especially should be watched, for many hinds, if allowed to hang a few 
days too long on the trees, become mealy and worthless ; these should be gathered 
in time, and placed in a cool room. It is quite the reverse with Early Apples , 
as the majority of these are best if gathered from the tree as they may be required 
for use; these remarks, however, must only be applied to the earliest varieties ; 
others, lipening later in the month, may be stored with advantage.— J. Powell, 
Frogmore. 
VEGETABLES. 
Such seed-sowings as were made during the early part of last month will have 
yielded plants which will now need attention in several ways. Spinach , as soon 
as the plants become large enough, should be thinned out in the rows in such a 
manner as to leave to each plant room to form a heart or centre independent of 
its associates in the row ; it is not necessary to thin them greatly, providing the 
individualism of each be insured, but in nowise should two or more seedlings be 
permitted to cluster together; by this means each will become imbued with a 
natural strength, and will be likely to stand through, and resist the hardships of 
winter, producing a crop of leaves which, if picked in succession as they form, 
are not likely to discommode, or unduly overgrow the hearts or centres of neigh¬ 
bouring plants. It is all-important to hoe well between the rows of Spinach as 
frequently as possible, as this also tends to secure greater robustness ; and besides, 
by admitting the air more freely down to their roots and around their succulent 
collars, it proves an additional safeguard against severe frosts and wet weather, 
which often cause them to decay. 
The Onion crop will now in the majority of instances require drawing, drying, and 
harvesting. It is simply necessary to pull them and lay them in “ lands,” upon a 
fine dry day, and during dry weather generally. Turn the whole of them over by the 
aid of a wooden rake once or twice subsequently, and choosing a fine day, remove 
them on to the floor of any dry, airy shed, that may be convenient. Here they 
may be assorted as necessary, the large ones probably for roping, and the lesser 
ones to store for use. If the litter and loose parts generally, such as any green 
leaves, &c., which are attached, be removed, the crop may be placed in rather 
large heaps together, as in that way they keep equally well in any proper shed or 
store-room. Where the Onions, being u necky,” have not ripened off sufficiently, 
have resort to the usual method of bending down the necks of such as are erect; 
this will hasten bulbing, and besides increase the size of the bulbs. Thin-out 
also seedling Endive and Lettuces, sown during the past month, taking care to 
transplant such as are drawn in process of thinning, for future supply, as all such 
will certainly “ come in ” useful, the tendency to bolt or run to seed being now 
very slight; make other sowings of the two latter subjects, upon some sunny and 
sheltered site, and tie up successional batches for blanching ; this may now be 
performed in larger quantities than previously. 
Earth-up Celery in succession, and a little at a time as regards the soil, be¬ 
cause if too much be packed against the plants, they are almost certain to become 
more or less crooked. The various Broccolis , Kales , Savoys , Brussels Sprouts , and 
all similar crops should now be well moulded-up, by drawing the soil freely 
towards the plants in the rows, on both sides. Transplant seedling Cauliflower- 
plants towards the end of the month, and prepare the necessary beds for Spring 
Cabbages , a good site being the old onion-bed, which in the case of light soils 
need not be fresh-dug for them.— William Earley, Valentines. 
