494 
April 4, 1891. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
The Amateurs’ Garden. 
-- 
SEASONABLE WORK in the GARDEN. 
Shading the Stove.—It will now be necessary to 
fit up the blinds for the season in order to be prepared 
for any sudden outburst of sunshine which might 
injure the tender foliage of the plants now commenced 
to grow. Leathery-leaved subjects such as Crotons, 
Dractenas, &c., should be staged as much as possible 
by themselves where they may be fully exposed to light. 
Flowering plants as a rule also erijoy abundant sun¬ 
shine. Tender-leaved subjects may be collected as 
much as possible towards one end of the building where 
they may be shaded. 
Heaths, Epacris, &c.—A great deal of re-potting 
must be done at this season of the year just as growth 
is recommencing. Before turning the plants out of 
their pots, the ball of soil should be thoroughly 
moistened, otherwise when re-potted and water is given 
the latter will he inclined to run away by the sides of 
the pots by the new soil, leaving the ball dry, to the 
great injury of the plants. In making up a compost 
for Heaths, Epacris, and Azaleas, the finer portions 
should he sifted out after the turves have been broken 
up by hand, so as to leave the lumpy and more fibrous 
parts for potting. 
Rhododendrons, Azaleas, &c.—Plants of this 
class that have been bloomed and are now over, should 
be put into a house with a warm, close, and moist 
atmosphere in order to encourage them to make a free 
and early growth ; for upon the early formation and 
ripening of this will depend their readiness to submit 
to forcing next winter. Syringe them in the morning 
and again in the afternoon at closing time, in order to 
encourage the buds to start away freely. Any pruning 
hack that may be required to keep the plants shapely 
should be given them before placing them in heat. 
Begonias, Gloxinias, &c. — .Attend to the 
potting on of the seedlings as they require it, in order 
to further growth as much as possible in the early part 
of the season, as this tends to bring them sooner into 
bloom, which means in the case of Begonias especially a 
prolongation of the flowering period. Achimenes also 
may be potted up from the pans in which they were 
placed to be started. "Where the stock is plentiful 
enough some baskets of them should be made up for the 
sake of variety. Pot on old plants of the tuberous- 
rooted Begonias as they require it. 
Calceolarias.—See that the foliage is at all times 
kept clean and healthy by keeping down insect pests 
and exposing it to light with plenty of ventilation, at 
the same time protecting it from the injurious effects 
of cold winds. Fumigate lightly on two successive 
evenings if green-fly makes its appearance. Choose a 
dull afternoon if possible for this operation. Supply 
the roots with plenty of water. 
Cinerarias. —Manure water in weak doses may be 
given to plants while yet in bud, but discontinue it as 
soon as the plants come into bloom. Ho artificial heat 
will now be required except on frosty nights. Ventilate 
freely during the day in order to keep the plants 
healthy and their flowering durable. 
Peach.es.-—Maintain a steady temperature in the 
early house where the fruits are stoning, but do not 
attempt to force hard until that dangerous period is 
pretty well over, otherwise many of the fruits will drop. 
Syringe every portion of the trees three or four times 
daily and shut up early with sun heat. Thin out the 
fruits, leaving them 9 ins. to 12 ins. apart all over the 
trees. 
Melons.—A night temperature of 70° will be 
quite sufficient for young plants that have got well 
into growth and approaching the flowering period. If 
the stems and leaves are thin, owing to the necessity of 
keeping the ventilators closed during the severe weather, 
this may now be remedied in part by using the syringe 
less, but damping down freely in order to prevent an 
arid atmosphere from giving rise to other evils. As 
the temperature outside rises, gradually increase the 
ventilation ; but at the same time the temperature 
inside must be encouraged to rise to 80° or 85°. Close 
early. 
Vegetable Seeds.—The main crop of Beet may 
now be sown in lines at 15 ins. apart. Pragnell’s Exhi¬ 
bition, Cheltenham Green Top, Pine Apple Short Top j 
and Dell’s Black are good kinds. The latter on 
account of its small size is useful for the flower garden. 
A sowing of French Beans of such useful and prolific 
early kinds as He Plus Ultra and Osborn’s Prolific may 
be made on a warm sunny border. Keep up a suc¬ 
cession of Peas as advised in last calendar. 
Herbs.—Make fresh plantations of such herbs as 
are required in the establishment, not forgetting such 
things as Mint, Lemon Thyme, Sage, Eue, Rosemary, 
Tarragon, and Sorrel. The ground should he well 
prepared and laid out in beds, and the plantations 
made up by sowing seeds of Sage and common Thyme, 
by rooting cuttings of Rosemary, and by the division of 
the rootstock of the other plants mentioned. 
Annuals.—Sow seeds of such things as Sweet 
Peas, Candytuft, Mignonette, Hemophila, Lupins, 
Clarkias, Godetias, common Marigold, Cleomes, Collin- 
sias, Collomia coccinea, Convolvulus tricolor, Malope 
trifida grandifiora, Lavatera trimestris and other hardy 
subjects of that nature for summer and autumn 
flowering. __ 
TRIAL OF SPRAYING ENGINES. 
Four distinct machines were entered for the com¬ 
petition which took place at the Crystal Palace on 
March 21st, but owing to their being of such diverse 
form and size the judges felt unable to award a medal for 
any of them, because in its way each appeared of equal 
value for the purpose for which it is peculiarly adapted; 
they therefore beg to present this report. In future 
trials (which they think desirable) they suggest that 
the schedule be divided as follows, when the machines 
can compete on equal terms. 
A. Prizes for machines capable of spraying fruit 
trees with Paris green or other insecticides in large 
orchards and plantations, to a height of 20 to 30 ft., 
not requiring more than three men to work them by 
manual labour only. 
B. Prizes for machines to spray dwarf fruit trees, 
wall trees, and plants in large conservatories, to be 
worked by not more than two men. 
C. Prizes for hand machines capable of being 
managed by one boy or man, suitable for amateurs and 
private gardens. 
Ease of working, economy of water and solutions, 
evenness of delivery, fineness as well as power of spray, 
and simplicity of construction to be fully considered by 
the adjudicators. 
The “Stott” Patent Distributor was first tried, and 
found to work satisfactorily when attached to the 
Crystal Palace Company’s main, the materials used in 
spraying being well diffused and under perfect control, 
but for the purpose of the competition the judges 
consider the Patent “Stott” Distributor combined 
with a Farringdon Hop-washing machine, to be a most 
valuable sprayer for Hops or fruit trees. It is worked 
with ease, requiring one man to pump and one to 
deliver and manage the hose, and the Patent Stott 
nozzles (double and single) give a remarkably fine and 
well-diffused spray. The machine appears •simple in 
construction, is durably made, and delivers a continuous 
stream, while the price, £6 14s. complete, is a reason¬ 
able one. The judges were not quite satisfied that the 
Distributor would deliver Paris green at a uniform 
strength, but with Stott’s “Killmright” its action was 
all that could be desired, and they recommend a First 
Class Certificate for the combination. 
The judges were struck by the utility and handiness 
of the “Stott ” Syringe and Distributor, and recommend 
a First Class Certificate for this also, as being likely to 
prove of great value for amateurs for garden and glass¬ 
house use. The spray produced was of the most dense 
description, and they believe it will prove of service for 
those who wish to destroy insects on plants within 
arm’s length. This is priced at 19s. 6 d. for ladies’ size, 
and 21s. for a full-sized machine—the Stott Distributor 
Co. (Ld.), Manchester. 
Vermorel’s French Knapsack Spraying Pump was 
next tried. This is a copper vessel made to sling on 
the operator’s back, and the power is generated by a 
handle under the right arm, the liquid being delivered 
by hose on the left side, under control of the left hand. 
It is delivered in a continuous cloud of vapour-like 
spray, while simple nozzles and arrangements prevent 
clogging at the outlet, and for tall trees the delivery 
hose can be lengthened and erected by a light cane or 
stick. Yermorel’s machine is specially valuable for its 
portability, and can be used by one man. Being con¬ 
structed of copper, it is light and strong, and is well 
adapted for passing round and spraying Cob-nuts, 
bush trees, and young standard trees, or rows of trees 
in nurseries, while taller ones could be sprayed by the 
help of a boy. The price is 35s. complete, and it 
delivers Paris green or other insecticides readily. Its 
weight when full is 40 lbs., and it will then work 
for two hours without re-charging, effecting economy 
in the liquid use, and delivering a fine spray covering 
all parts of the foliage. The judges award a First Class 
Certificate for this machine.—Agents, Messrs. Charles 
Clark & Co., 20, Great St. Helens, London, E.C. 
Hemingway’s American Spraying Machine was next 
examined. Those exhibited stood on three legs, but 
it can be fixed on a water-barrel, paraffin cask, or he 
fed from a pail. It is remarkably easy in action and 
simple in construction, delivering a dense spray in a 
considerable volume as high as 20 ft. The nozzles used 
are simple in character and unlikely to get out of order, 
while two and three can be used on one delivery, the 
latter combination throwing such a stream of well- 
diffused spray that a large tree could he covered in one 
minute. The judges consider this machine most 
valuable when furnished with two outlets, as one can 
he turned into the vessel, and used to keep the contents 
in motion for effecting a complete mixture, and thus 
preventing injury to foliage by its being applied of 
unequal strength. The flow of spray is continuous and 
powerful, and the machine is equally valuable as a 
sprayer for Hops, tall or dwarf fruit trees, and also as a 
fire-engine. The recent machines are made in gun 
metal, and appear strong and durable. The price, 
with one suction and two delivery hoses, pipes, and 
nozzles complete is £4 2s. 6d., a similar machine with 
one delivery being £3 10s. The judges award this a 
First Class Certificate.—Messrs. Hemingway & Co., 
60, Mark Lane, London, E.C. 
Snow’s Patent Garden Pump is a compact machine, 
which can be easily worked by a boy ; it can be fastened 
in an ordinary pail, and works most easily, delivering 
a continuous stream of water, which can be charged 
with insecticides if desired, and this stream is broken 
up into a fine vapoury spray by contact with a cleverly 
designed jet called “Snow’s Patent Helmet Sprayer,” 
which can he adjusted readily to suit the plant or tree 
acted on. The inventor has also introduced a capital 
plan of shutting off the outflow, thus economising the 
solutions used, and permitting movement from tree to 
tree without waste. The judges consider this a very 
useful invention, specially fitted fcr syringing or 
spraying wall trees, Roses, and fruits of moderate 
height, as well as for garden use generally, the price 
being 40s. complete, and they recommend it fora First 
Class Certificate.—Messrs. Osman & Co., 132, Com¬ 
mercial Street, London, E. 
Messrs. A. F. Barron, George Bunyard, and J. 
"Wright were the judges, and all the awards were 
unanimous. 
——- 
ESSENTIAL AIDS TO SUC¬ 
CESSFUL GARDENING. 
The peculiar nature of gardening, dealing as it does 
with so varied and extensive a range of subjects, makes 
it necessary for the successful operator to be well posted 
in many of the sciences. If we put a spade into a 
man’s hands and order him to dig, he doeth it as 
instructed, hut if we ask him why it should he done, or 
what is soil and manure, and their relations to one 
another and to plants, he invariably turns round with 
a piteous smile on his face, as much as to say, “ Well, 
that’s a question to ask indeed—a man with all his 
senses asking what ground and dung are I ” On 
consideration he replies to the question much after this 
fashion “ Soil is of course earth ; what else could it 
be ? Manure is j ust dung, to be sure—a thing always 
good for adding to soil.” He then turns round 
triumphantly to resume his work with an air of entire 
satisfaction that he has discomfited his questioner. 
At a glance you find that his brains require to he dug 
too ; but if you are a wise man, it would be well to go 
no further at that time. If the man can think at all, 
a hint of that kind should rouse him to acquire more 
accurate information. To be a successful teacher is as 
profound a matter as to be a successful gardener. 
The geological and chemical knowledge which the 
above questions embrace are only meagre, instances of 
their uses and application in demonstrating things 
we could never find out without their aid. Human 
experience is good, and I should be the last to insinuate 
disparagement of its rightful claim. It must always be 
man’s greatest test of truth, but it is also a severe 
teacher. Experience, however, has its disadvantages ; 
it may consist only of a continued series of failures and 
disappointments, and which, while teaching failure, does 
not necessarily add to knowledge. It, too, is as likely 
to comprise negative as gratifying results. In a word, 
experience can only explain or put to proof what has 
been premised. A theory is laid down, but it must 
stand the test of experience ere it becomes an 
established truth. This was the way our predecessors 
