May 7, 1887. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
567 
thought, probably, it was some variety of Hamburgh 
that I did not know much about. However, it proved 
to be our old friend in its best condition, but it was 
with difficulty that I was convinced of the fact. It is 
a very singular coincidence, but these Grapes had also 
been grown under similar conditions to those mentioned 
by me on p. 379 ; both of the vineries are heated by 
flues and not by means of hot water. 
The questions I had in my mind when I penned my 
original notes were : Can it be possible that a vinery 
heated by flues is more suitable for Gros Colmar than a 
vinery heated by hot water ? And if that is so, are 
there not likely to be other varieties of Grapes whose 
flavour would be much improved by cultivation in such 
a vinery ? And are there not possibly some kinds of 
stove and greenhouse plants that would be more at 
home in a house heated by flues, as in times past ? And 
lastly, are flues, for the heating of greenhouses, the 
unmixed evil they are commonly supposed to be? Such 
were my thoughts ; and I now submit them for the 
consideration of some of your better-informed readers. 
Several of our greatest authorities on Yines and Vine 
culture I know' are readers and occasional contributors 
to The Gardening World, and I hope the foregoing 
thoughts will induce some of them to express their 
opinions thereon. — J. Uclale, Elford, Tamworth. 
--❖*<-•- 
Hardening ffoTES from 
Scotland. 
Seasonable Notes. —The Strav'berry crop 
always asserts its importance, and attention, in due 
time, to the requirements of the plants is of great 
moment. At the present time one can fairly judge of 
what the plants are likely to produce, and if they have 
not been already helped with the usual supply of 
manure by surfacing or forking into the soil, no time 
should now be lost in giving the necessary aid to them. 
A good surfacing of rotten manure spread over the 
roots, then a layer of clean litter laid over all will do 
much to give large fruit, and a few good soakings of 
water leaves a clean and sweet surface on which the 
fruit can ripen and be kept free from grit. Manure- 
water, given where the soil is light and sandy, is of 
great advantage. 
Among other things which should not be overlooked 
are the hordes of slugs (in old gardens especially) which 
are now preparing their quarters among the plants, or 
in the mulching which has been given during last 
autumn or later. A good dusting of soot and lime 
mixed will destroy many nests of slugs ; and waterings 
of soot-water form an excellent stimulant for giving 1 
health and vigour to the plants, as well as destroying 
vermin. Some are already complaining of the dry 
spring ; but in our district the rains last week were 
copious—falling in continuous gentle shov'ers—and 
■were of the most root-reaching and refreshing descrip¬ 
tion. 
We have some mulching to put on to keep the fruit 
clean, but the greater part of the work was done in 
autumn, in a summary but efficient manner. The 
former mulching and surface cleanings were loosened 
up and the surface stirred for the admission of rains at 
the same time. All was evenly spread over the w’hole 
break, leaving the plants standing clear, a good dusting 
of soot was given, then a coating of rotten manure 
neatly over all, leaving the -whole level and sightly. 
Now the manurial portions are washed down and clean, 
straw only is visible. The oldest plants are two years 
old, and the others were forced plants of last year. 
The latter are the best; but we never had Strawberries 
more healthy and promising. 
Herbaceous Borders. —Nowhere are herbaceous 
plants seen in greater vigour or are more serviceable 
than in the northern districts, and it would appear the 
further north one goes the better they seem to do. 
Attention is well bestowed when directed rightly 
among these plants. At the present time there are 
many in flower but the best are to come. The plants 
in our own borders are extra strong this year, and 
though protection was given to only a few kinds there 
appears to be no deaths. It is well, on poor ground, 
to give a surfacing of rich manure at this time if the 
work has not been seen to earlier. By this time the 
plants will have shown their position, and the fork can 
be gently used to turn in rotten manure, or artificial, 
if preferred, which is very suitable on heavy land. 
Any plants which have inadvertently been mixed with 
their fellows should be removed, as each kind standing 
clear is very desirable. The staking of some kinds now 
demands attention. We have mixed a portion of coarse 
sand into the surface of the borders, which will help 
the heavy soil to yield to the action of hoe or prong. 
The naming of kinds requiring new labels should have 
attention. 
Garden Edgings, &c. —The cutting of Box, Ivy, 
Berberis, Mahonia, or whatever is used to form edgings 
to shrub borders, flower beds, or vegetable garden 
borders, is generally performed just as new growth 
begins. This is a very favourable time to attend to 
such work ; new growth is very late in commencing 
this year, and when it does fairly start it -will likely be 
rapid and vigorous. Box is often cut during the latter 
part of July and early in August in northern gardens. 
We have tried a number of experiments with this 
favourite edging, and that "which was cut in August 
has remained more compact and grown with less vigour 
than the Box clipped in April, May and June. One 
may fairly say that it might be a matter of convenience 
when to clip, but we would do it between April and 
August in northern gardens ; in the south, such work 
we generally performed at the end of April. Ivy 
clipping on houses and walls should not be neglected 
where it is getting bulky ; we are now clearing off old 
growths from houses, walls and fences ; the young 
growths are just starting and will soon cover the sur¬ 
faces with a mantle of emerald green. 
Celery. —In The Gardening World we notice 
sound advice given as to the management of Celery 
planted on the surface of the soil—a practice which 
all who have had experience will endorse. It is many 
years since we took note of marketmen about Fulham 
and elsewhere adopting this method, and finer Celery 
has never been seen than that grown in these parts. 
We have practised the surface system of planting since 
first we commenced the Celery growing, more or less. 
It is very serviceable in damp localities ; much labour 
is saved, and the earthing is done with great facility. 
Cropping between the rows is also easily managed, but 
French Beans, Cabbage and such crops cannot be had 
in northern parts as in the south ; but then Turnips, 
Spinach, Lettuce, Dwarf Peas, and some other crops 
can be raised. We prefer three and four rows of Celery 
together for economy, and this method meets all our 
wants. We have now (May) a good supply of solid, 
well-preserved Celery, to which no protection was 
given. There is a ridge ready for an early lot, but 
occupied with Stocks and Calceolarias waiting removal, 
— Caledonian. 
-- 
The Amateurs’ Garden. 
Vegetables in Season. —Garden crops are now 
fairly started, although, considering the season, they 
are very late ; consequently, as far as usable vegetables 
are concerned, we are in no better position than we were 
a month ago, except in the case of those possessing the 
advantage of pits, frames, and forcing houses. Where 
the amateur has been fortunate enough to be able to 
soiv Lettuce, Radishes, and such things under glass in 
the early part of the season, he will now be able to 
enjoy some fresh young salading. Spinach when sown 
in autumn and outstood the winter will now be fit for 
use, while that sown early on a warm sheltered border, 
or at the foot of a wall on a south or west aspect, will 
be fit for use shortly, subject to the conditions of the 
weather. 
Chou de Burghley still affords a supply where it has 
not all been cut, through a scarcity of other things. 
It should generally be used as a Cabbage in the winter, 
but the solid white central head may now be used 
after the manner of Broccoli, and the side buds as 
Brussels Sprouts, which will now prove tender and 
acceptable. Purple-sprouting Broccoli w'here sown and 
planted late last year, is still furnishing a supply of a 
useful well-flavoured vegetable. The purple small¬ 
branching heads do not possess much attraction for 
consumers either in a fresh or cooked condition, but 
those who have tried it relish the flavour of the heads, 
which, when boiled, become of a pale green. The white 
Broccoli are less hardy than the last, and frequently 
succumb to the freezing and thawing to which they are 
subjected in our variable climate. In order to overcome 
this as much as possible, Broccoli and other subjects of 
that tender kind should be grown in soil that is 
tolerably firm, and has not been urged into gross 
luxuriance by liberal supplies of manure, as their stems 
then ripen better, and altogether they are more hardy. 
Late Queen Broccoli is a good variety for late supply. 
List year’s Leeks are still in good condition, and 
where they are liked, prove a wholesome and easily 
grown vegetable. Spring Onions are now plentiful in 
the market and cheap, so that those who cannot afford 
space to grow them, may now buy. Carrots, Parsnips, 
Beet, and Onions are, and will be good for many weeks to 
come. Parsley has grown again tolerably well recently. 
Rhubarb and Sea Kale is now plentiful, especially the 
former, and both may be blanched by covering them 
with Sea Kale pots, or any box or vessel that will keep 
them dark. 
Vegetable Seeds. —Some of the early sown Peas 
are now well above ground, and may have the soil 
drawn around them ; this will assist greatly in keeping 
them up till they can lay hold of the stakes. This is 
most essential to those which have been forwarded in 
pots or boxes indoors, and now planted out. Stake 
immediately, and this will not only shelter the young 
Peas, but assist in preserving them from the ravages 
of birds that are particularly destructive at this season, 
especially in localities surrounded by woods, or even in 
the suburbs of London where gardens are usually in¬ 
fested with the plague of house sparrows. 
Make successional sowings of Peas to furnish later 
supplies. In the drier parts of the country, such as in 
the neighbourhood of London and other parts of the 
South of England, it often proves necessary to sow 
Peas in trenches so as to be better able to resist drought 
or be assisted with water. Sow Beetroot for next 
winter’s supply. That sown previous to the last week 
of April or the first week in May is liable to grow too 
coarse in a long growing season. Continue sowings of 
seeds for salading. Haricot Beans and Scarlet Runners 
may now be safely sown in the open air. Of the former 
Osborne’s Prolific, Ne Plus Ultra and Negro Long-pod 
are good kinds. 
Cucumbers, Tomatos, &e.—Where the directions 
were followed in sowing these earl}', they should now 
be in a very advanced condition. The Cucumbers 
should be kept growing in quarters as warm as possible 
until a hot-bed has been made up for their reception. 
If this cannot be done immediately, the young plants 
should not suffer a check to their growth, either from 
their roots being too confined, or by putting them in a 
cool place as a makeshift to afford room for something 
else. Shift into a larger-sized pot if necessary, and 
where it has not been done get a hot-bed ready. 
When the latter has sufficiently cooled down, place 
near the middle or upper end of the frame a mound of 
good loamy soil enriched with well-rotted cow-manure, 
and plant out in this. Cover the frame at nights to 
keep up the temperature, but leave a small chink of 
air for the escape of condensed moisture. 
Keep Tomatos near the glass, and encourage them to 
grow slowly till the weather becomes sufficiently warm 
for planting them out where that is intended. By 
sowing early, and getting them thus advanced, they 
have a long season before them to ripen their fruit by 
sun-heat. Next to well-grown indoor fruit, that 
ripened in the sun is always more choice and better 
flavoured than that ripened on the shelf of a warm 
house afterwards. Vegetable Marrows may be treated 
similarly to Cucumbers, but require less heat, and may 
soon be planted in the open ground under hand- 
lights. — F. 
-- 
Pricking off Half-hardy Annuals, &c.— Those 
■who were fortunate enough to sow some weeks ago in 
heat such things as Stocks, Asters, Saponaria, Perilla, 
Amaranthus, Tagetes, Phlox Drummondii, Zinnias, &c., 
will now have plants large enough to prick off for the 
purpose of growing them on into size. There is nothing 
better for this purpose than some shallow wooden 
boxes, which can be bought cheap. If they are about 
4 ins. deep, all that is necessary is to place some pieces 
of turf at the bottom, on this a little rough soil, filling 
up with a finely sifted compost, and then pricking out 
the young plants about 3 ins. apart. If such boxes 
cannot be bought, they can be readily made by a car¬ 
penter out of £-in. or f-in. white deal. The handiest 
sized box is one 20 ins. long, 12 ins. wide and 4 ins. 
deep. When the plants are pricked off they should be 
placed in a shady part of the greenhouse, and then out 
in the open ground by day ; and either removed within 
doors by night or covered so as to protect them from 
frost.— II. JD. 
