454 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
March 18, 1893. 
If the trees can be plunged while growing in some 
good soil, the roots maybe allowed to run out of the 
pots at their will. It is important that the orchard 
house be thoroughly ventilated, as abundance of air 
must be given when the trees are in flower, and when 
the fruit is ripening. A free circulation of air (pro¬ 
vided it is not admitted in cold draughts) will do more 
to set the fruit than all the brushes and rabbits’ tails 
in existence. 
A good plan where the orchard house culture is 
gone into thoroughly is to have two sets of trees for 
each house, fruiting one in the house each year; 
the other set should be plunged in some good soil 
outside, and have all the fruit rubbed off as soon as 
set. 
So great a resemblance exists between many kinds 
of Peaches and Nectarines, that sufficient marks of 
distinction would be difficult to fix upon so as to 
know the one from the other, had we no other 
characters to assist us except the form, size, colour, 
etc., of the fruit alone, as in the case of the Apple 
and Pear. 
There are, however, other and more permanent 
characters, and these are made use of to form a 
classification. The late Mr. Thompson, of these gar¬ 
dens, divides the varieties of this fruit into two grand 
divisions, namely. Peaches and Nectarines; these 
again into two classes, Melters or Freestones and 
Pavies or Clingstones. The flowers again form two 
sub-divisions, large flowers as in the Noblesse Peach 
and small ones as in ("the Elruge Nectarine. The 
glands on the foot stalk of the leaf also help to dis¬ 
tinguish the different varieties—some have kidney 
shaped glands on globose and some have none 
at all. 
As with all other fruits the varieties in Peaches keep 
on increasing, many excellent varieties have issued 
of late years from the Sawbridgeworth Nursery. 
There are considerably over 200 varieties now in 
cultivation, we have fifty-five in the gardens here. 
The following twenty are the best I am acquainted 
with ;—Waterloo, Alexander, Early Rivers, Hale's 
Early, Acton Scott, Early Albert, Early Louise, Dr. 
Hogg, River’s Early York, Alexandra Noblesse, Geo. 
the Fourth, Stirling Castle, Goshawk, Royal George, 
Bellegarde, Barrington, Princess of Wales, Walbur- 
ton Admirable, Lord Palmerston, Sea Eagle. 
They are arranged in their order of ripening as 
nearly as possible. But I may as well add that they 
will not always keep exactly in the same order, vari¬ 
ations in the season and culture often influence 
varieties in their time of ripening considerably. A 
more select list of six varieties would include Water¬ 
loo, Hale's Early, Dr. Hogg, Stirling Castle, Royal 
George, Walburton Admirable. 
The best six Nectarines are Lord Napier, Downton, 
Stanwick Elruge, Pitmaston Orange, Pineapple and 
Grosse Violette Hative. 
--S-<- 
General Work. 
The season is now upon us when work in the kitchen 
garden seems to come on faster than we can get it 
done. The spell of fine dry weather we have 
had has helped to make the soil in a good dry 
state for seed sowing. One of the first 
things to do is to plant a few rows of Jerusalem 
Artichokes. This is a vegetable that may be planted 
in any corner, and as the tops grow to such a height 
theymay often be planted so as to hide unsightly places. 
The covering should be taken from Globe Artichokes, 
as by this time it has become wet and cold, and a 
little dry light litter will be sufficient to protect it 
against the spring frosts. 
Parsnips should be sown about the first among the 
seeds, and when the ground is in good order the 
Onion crops should be put in. Shallots, if not 
already planted should be attended to. See that 
any suitable crowns for forcing are covered, or as 
they begin to grow the points become of a dark 
colour which spoils the appearance for table. Any 
intended for blanching in the open ground, if not 
already earthed up, should be attended to at once. 
Keep the surface well haed amongst the young 
Cabbages and autumn sown Onions, if they have 
survived the winter. I am sorry to say they are 
nearly all dead with me. It is time to sow the first 
lot of small seeds out of doors, such as Brussels 
Sprouts, summer and autumn Cauliflowers, early 
Broccoli, and some of the Kales, but as a rule, 
especially in early places, the later sowing made, say 
in the middle of April, gives the best plants for 
general use. A sowing of Lettuce should be put in 
now ; also a few rows of Parsley and Radishes must 
not be forgotten, to keep up the supply. The young 
Cauliflower plants in small pots, if at all likely to 
become pot bound, should be potted on into 5 or 6 
inch pots, as, unless they can be protected, it is early 
yet to plant them out in the open.— G. H. S. 
-- 
THE ALBERT NURSERIES, 
PECKHAM RYE. 
Since these nurseries were established at Peckham 
Rye, five years ago, they have developed rapidly, 
but particularly during the last two or three years. 
Three new houses, each 100 ft. long, and numerous 
heated frames are now nearing completion ; while a 
set of cold frames will occupy most of the remaining 
ground available. Flowering and foliage plants are 
grown chiefly for the trade, but a certain amount of 
retail business is done, and a collection of Orchids 
has been got together chiefly for the sake of cut 
flowers. It may be interesting to our readers to note 
the sorts that are grown for cut flowers for market. 
In the warm division a considerable number of 
Cypripediums are grown, such as C. Lawrencianum, 
C. barbatum, C. bellatulum, and C. insigne, the 
latter being grown in quantity. Amongst Dendro- 
biums, D. nobile and D. Wardianum are the most 
popular. A very useful subject for cut flowers is 
Coelogyne cristata with its varieties. Other subjects 
that might be mentioned, and which enjoy greater or 
less popularity, is Phaius grandifolius, Pilumna 
fragrans, Odontoglossum citrosmum, Cymbidium 
Lowianum, and Oncidium sarcodes, which are 
either in flower or fast approaching that stage. The 
yellow-flowered Vanda Kimballiana and the blue V. 
ccerulea are also favourites, the former not yet very 
common. Cattleyas could hardly be omitted, as 
their large and showy flowers always command' 
respect. Cool house species include a considerable 
quantity of Odontoglossum crispum, which flowers in 
succession over a long period. O. grande is also 
grown in quantity and flowers well. O. Rossii and 
O. R. majus is still keeping time with the pretty 
Sophronites grandifiora. 
Palms constitute one of- the strongest features in 
the nursery, where they are grown by thousands ; on 
the benches and under the benches the tiny seed¬ 
lings may be seen everywhere in large boxes, also 
sown or planted in beds of soil upon the benches, 
and potted up in small pots of various sizes up to 
6o’s and 48’s. The large Palm-house and several 
other buddings contain large specimens for decorative 
and exhibition purposes. Some of the latter include 
perfect pictures of good culture and keeping of Kentia 
Belmoreana, with gracefully arching fronds of great 
length if they were straightened out. K. Forsteriana 
may also be seen in all sizes. Areca Lutescens and 
A. Baueri are the two marked species, the former 
being of all sizes, from seedlings in thumb pots up 
to 6 ft. Amongst Fan Palms, Lataniaborbonica and 
Corypha Australis bear the palm for decorative 
work. Some of the species cf Phoenix are grown, 
but P. rupicola is the favourite. The most com¬ 
mon Rhaphis is R. flabelliformis, but the prettiest 
and most graceful is R. humilis, just as Cocos 
Weddeliana is amongst its kind ; a large specimen 
of the latter is showing flower. Tiny little Diants 
planted out in beds may also be seen in quantity. The 
leaves of C. plumosa are about 10 ft. long. Kentia 
Canterburyana ultimately rising up with a green 
stem must not be overlooked. Akin to the Palms, 
although in no way related, are the Cycads, of 
which a houseful of Cycas revoluta of various sizes, 
but small and easily accommodated, presents an at¬ 
tractive appearance. Some of them are newly im¬ 
ported and not yet in leaf, but the rest are of a rich 
dark green and handsome for decorative work, hav¬ 
ing splendidly furnished heads. 
A large batch of Dracaena Lindeni is hand¬ 
somely coloured, as is another of D. terminalis ; D. 
lineata and D. Goldieana are grown in smaller quan- 
ties. Pandanus Veitchi is also a speciality here, as 
are the Crotons, the varieties of which are very 
numerous. Foliage Begonias, Cyperus alternifolius 
variegatus and Ardisias are all useful in their way 
for decorative work. Ferns of many kinds are 
grown in some quantity, but particularly Adiantum 
cuneatum, A. hispidulum and Davallias, with the 
popular species and varieties of Pceris. Some fine 
pieces of Adiantum cardiochlsenum may be noted, 
but the most noteworthy of the single plants is a 
magnificent specimen of Blechnum brasiliense like a 
tree Fern with a stem 3V ft. high, and leaves in pro¬ 
portion. In a cooler house were quantities of Arau¬ 
caria excelsa, A. e. glauca, Marguerites, show and 
regal Pelgargoniums, Roses, Lapagerias and other 
subjects. The house was scented with Boronia 
megastigma. At the far end of the house are Heaths 
and Valotta purpurea. In a large house near the en¬ 
trance and mostly filled with Palms, are four plants 
of Ficus elastica, 10 ft. high, with magnificent leaves. 
A considerable amount of forcing is carried on 
with Lily of the Valley, Daffodils, Spiraea, Liliums, 
Hyacinths, Tulips, Tuberoses, Roman Hyacinths, 
and others of that class Large and small plants of 
Gardenias in considerable quantity are now throw¬ 
ing up their buds. Eucharis and Caladiums of sorts 
occupy the same houses, and the latter are now 
pushing up their brilliantly coloured leaves. Batches 
of Hydrangea paniculata grandifiora are being 
pushed on in succession. A houseful of Azalea 
mollis, and another of Azalea indica of various sorts, 
show that they still enjoy a considerable amount of 
public favour. The Richardias or Trumpet Lilies 
were planted out last summer and lifted as large 
clumps with many crowms, and have been flowering 
freely for a long timer past. The amateur and 
cottager are not forgotten, and to meet their wants 
Heliotropes, Lobelias, Coleus, Fuchsias, Aspidistras, 
Aralia Sieboldi, and A. S. variegata are grown for 
them. All except the Lobelias are popular window 
plants. 
-- 
THE STARVED LAND. 
Cultivators who are favourably situated may be 
inclined to ask where can there be any starved land ? 
But alas! there is too much of it about, as those 
who move freely about the country are only too well 
convinced from the appearance of the crops. The 
poor growth and bad colour of the crops too often 
bear witness to the fact that the land is in a starving; 
state. In the parish in which I reside, we have a 
forcible illustration of the value of high feeding, in 
the case of two fields of grass. Our field belongs to 
a cattle dealer who makes a point of giving his land 
a good dressing of stable or farmyard manure most 
seasons, or at least every other year. The other 
man allows his cattle to manure his field when feed¬ 
ing, or may only give a little dressing of good 
manure once in the course of five or six years. I am 
certain that the former gets double the quantity of 
feed from his land that the latter does, and what 
applies to the farm applies equally also to gardens ol 
all types. 
If proof of this is needed take a stroll into an 
allotment field and notice the vast difference that 
will be seen between one man’s plot and another’s. 
For years I have noticed such differences, and I 
could mention a number of gardens where the 
returns do not pay for the working, simply because 
no manure of any value is put into the land. I am 
quite aware that this is often not the fault of the 
gardener, but simply a question of the owner deny¬ 
ing the supplies. In many instances I have known 
that all the manure that goes into the garden is such 
poor stuff as leaf soil. All the stable manure goes 
to the farm, and the garden is starved, yet most often 
does the owner expect to be served with the best of 
vegetables and fruit. 
Leaf soil is a useful article in a garden, used in its 
proper place, but keep on applying it to the soil with 
nothing else, and it becomes of no value, in fact the 
land gets so tired of it that it would be better without 
it. I have this day been taking out some from a bed 
in a Vinery, where it has been for three or four 
years, and it is so thoroughly decomposed that I 
could only think of dressing a border with it on 
which we grow summer flowers for cutting. Fancy 
using such stuff where the land is poor for such 
things as Brussels Sprouts and Cauliflowers, and 
expect a crop worth having ! 
For many years I have been an advocate of high 
feeding for most crops, and during the past twenty 
years I have had to deal with three different gardens 
in widely different localities, and with equally diverse 
soils. In each case I have found that high culture 
paid. Some fifteen years ago I took charge of a 
garden in North Hants, where the soil was light, 
thin, and sandy, so much so that the farmers in the 
district dressed their grass land every year. The 
