844 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
October 10, 1903. 
WORK OF THE WEEK. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
Cucumbers.—-Good fruits of these cannot be cultivated after 
the middle of October, unless suitable means are provided for 
producing them, and even then extreme care will have toi be 
exercised to keep up a continual supply all through the dark 
!ays of winter. The great secret in the winter cultivation of 
cumbers is to keep the plants in asi healthy and vigorous a 
cl edition as possible, and at no; time overcrop them. The posi¬ 
tion must be a light one, and the glass at all times should be 
kept thoroughly cleansed both inside and out. A plentiful 
supply of heat, both top and bottom, mu-st be at command. 
The soil used, both for planting and surface dressing, should 
be of a light, porous nature. Dryness at the roots is certain 
to cause the fruits to be bitter, and always use the water at 
the same temperature; as the house in which the plants are 
growing. The growths should be slightly syringed on bright 
mornings about 9 o’clock, and the walls and paths damped 
down frequently during the day and towards the evening with 
farmyard manure water. Watch minutely for any traces of 
fungus or insect life, and take means to arrest either as 
speedily as possible, red spider being one of the most trouble-- 
some, especially when much firing has to be done. Carefully 
sponge the affected parts with soft soap and water, and extra 
syringing must be indulged in. 
Mildew often causes much bother during dull weather, espe¬ 
cially so when the borders are not properly drained and the 
water does not pass away freely. I know of nothing better, 
should it make its appearance, than black sulphur, which, if 
plentifully used, and the house is kept fairly dry—admitting 
a little fresh air whenever the weather will allow—arrests its 
progress. Tlirip and black and green aphis are also enemies 
to the Cucumber, but each of these are speedily exterminated 
by using X L All two or three nights in. succession, and if used 
according to instructions no i harm will accrue. There isi no 
doubt but what this is a. true gardener’s friend, far superseding 
any other fumigating material I have tried. I have never seien 
the slightest damage done to the most tender plants when used 
with caution. How different to a few years ago, when one was 
never certain, what mischief would be donei by using the so-¬ 
called tobacco paper, and, in addition, the houses retained the 
obnoxious fumes for many days; whereas now scarcely any 
after-effects are- noticeable, even the next day. 
Onions. — In spite of the unusually wet and sunless summer, 
these appear to be in a. thoroughly sound condition, with every 
promise of keieping well where care has been, taken in harvest¬ 
ing them ; this applies both to the large and smaller bulbs, and 
to assist them in this take advantage of wet days to. thoroughly 
clean them, putting on one side those for immediate use which 
show any tendency of not being sound. Either rope- them up 
or place them in thin layers on lattice shelves in a cool room. 
Onions should never be bruised, especially the larger specimens, 
or these will suffer in, precisely the same way as Apples and 
similar fruits. 
Shallots should be stored in the same kind of room in thin 
layers or shelves. 
The Compost and Frame-yard.— Immediately the frost puts 
an end to Marrows, Gourds, and other subjects growing on old 
hot>beds and leaf-heaps, take the first opportunity of squaring 
it up. The old beds should be turned up into good heaps, 
placing a little soot or lime between each layer; thisi will make 
excellent material for many subjects next, spring. Last, season’s 
leave® should be turned over to one end of the pen in which 
they are stored to hasten decay and for making room to hold 
this year’s. There is no. more useful material than good leaf- 
soil for the garden generally, and especially for the vegetable 
quarter; consequently every particle should be collected and 
saved. 
Kitchen Garden Walks.— Now is a capital time to give these 
a dressing of weed-killer, which will ensure them being bright 
and free from weeds all through the winter. It will, of course, 
need to be used with extreme care where grass verges form the 
edging, and it will not be safe to use it in any case where box 
is employed. The men should always be cautioned who are to 
apply the poison of the danger there is to themselves and all 
kinds of plant life it may come in contact with. 
E. Beckett. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
Among the Orchids. 
Cool-growing Cypripediums. — This section of the so-called 
slipper Orchid is, perhaps, the most interesting and certainly 
the most useful of the genus. Considered from an amateur's 
point of view, they are worthy of attention, because many of 
the kinds can be grown under the same conditions as would 
be necessary for the cultivation of the usual kinds of green¬ 
house plants. Being winter-flowering kinds still adds to their 
claims to cultivation, while the durability of the flowers after 
they have expanded leaves nothing to be desired; used either 
for cut flowers or remaining on the plantsi, they last for weeks 
in; perfection. They are easily procurable for a modest outlay 
well within the means of the most humble cultivator. An 
even, normal temperature of 50 to- 55 deg. in winter is amply 
sufficient. 
The potting compost may consist of equal portions of fibrous 
loiam and peat, with a* little leaf-soil intermixed; sufficient 
rough sand to afford a! porous nature; of the compost is neces¬ 
sary, as the plants when in full growth during summer require 
a liberal supply of root moisture. The potting is best attended 
to immediately after the flowers have been removed. 
Selection of Varieties. —A little discretion in the selec¬ 
tion. of the kinds will afford a succession of flower for several 
months, extending throughout the whole autumn, winter and 
spring seasons. The species most suitable for this purpose is 
Cypripedium Charlesworthii. This charming kind, with its 
deep rose-tinted dorsal sepal, comes into flower at the end of 
September and through October. It is a plant that objects 
to being disturbed at the roots; it will continue to thrive for 
many years after it. has to all appearances become thoroughly 
pot-bound. Repotting always upsets it, and it takes a long 
time to re-establish after potting has been, done, the flower¬ 
ing often being delayed thereby for a season, or even two. 
Following in close succession is what is known as the Mon- 
tanum section of C. insigne. Owing to the great range of 
variations; among the latter' importations of this section, they 
have been much sought after, both by amateurs and by the 
trade;, who grow them extensively for cut-flower purposes. In 
themselves they form an immense collection ; so- variable are 
they that, unless, a, portion of a divided plant, it is well-nigh 
impossible to get two plants identical in their markings and 
general characteristics. They form a, good speculation wher 
purchased as imported plants. The- heavily blotched and 
spotted kinds; are equal in demand to the albino section, anc 
they always command sund prices that are freely given foa, 
distinction and attractiveness. 
They are so robust in. habit that many people grow then 
in cold frames during the summer months. In addition tc 
this section,, there is what is known as C. insigne silhetense 
It is the; typical kind, distinct and hardier than the former, anc 
flowers later. 
Before these have passed out of flower we have C. villosun 
and its near ally, C. Boxallii, expanding, although not s< 
variable; as C. insigne. Their highly polished and distinctive 
characteristics; are; always appreciated. These 1 species alone 
will afford flowers well over the period above given. 
In, addition to these, there is the lovely and variable C 
leeanum, the most useful and best all-rcund Cypripedium u 
cultivation. The varied and desirable forms that make up 1 11 
C, nitens section, all the hybrids having C. insigne, C. villosun. 
