460 
May 30, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
WORK OF THE WEEK. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
Vegetable Marrows.—By the time these lines are in print it 
should be safe to plant out all which have been properly 
hardened. Fortunately, this useful vegetable 1 may be success^ 
fully grown in almost any position, and oftentimes may be cul¬ 
tivated both for utility and, at the same time, are serviceable 
for forming screens, covering heaps of rubbish, etc., and, by 
giving them a good start, will grow away and fruit abundantly. 
The value of those cultivated in frames which have been yield¬ 
ing fruit for some time past will now be fully demonstrated, as, 
by removing both the lights and frames, and giving them a 
good mulching, no- difficulty will be found in obtaining an 
abundant crop 1 long before any can be looked for when grown 
in the ordinary way, and, by keeping them well supplied with 
moisture and liberally feeding, these will go on doing so- till 
the autumn. Gourds and Pumpkins should also be planted 
now in the open, and, whether viewed from an ornamental or 
useful purpose, these are worthy of extended cultivation, and, 
like Marrows, may be grown in various ways, such as trailing 
about the shrubberies, treated as pillars, trained over pergolas, 
or planted in unsightly comers, providing a reasonable amount 
of sunshine can reach them; but, in any case, plenty of half- 
decayed farmyard manure should be given for the roots to revel 
in, and abundance of water applied in dry seasons. The large 
edible Pumpkins, when well ripened, form an excellent winter 
vegetable', and, when nicely served, are generally much appre¬ 
ciated. 
Potatos.—So far as one can judge, these seem to be starting 
away much better than last year; the shoots appear to be, 
more vigorous and likely to develop better. Before finally 
earthing up ply the draw-hoe frequently both for destroying 
weeds and breaking up the soil to a, fine tilth. Any which are- 
required for producing tubers of high quality for exhibition 
should have- the weakest shoots removed by carefully drawing 
them out with the hand ; this is- easily accomplished without 
doing any damage to- the old tuber. Give- a, good dressing of 
fresh soo-t in showery weather, which acts both as- a fertiliser 
and protects them from- wirewo-rms. In cold, low-lying dis¬ 
tricts, in the event of fro-s-t likely to occur, some protection 
should be afforded them, as the slightest injury to the tops will 
give them a, serious- check from which they will never properly 
recover. 
Tomatos.—Plants which have been well prepared for open- 
air culture can be planted in sheltered positions in all southern 
parts of the country. The site allotted to- them should have a 
southern, aspect, and, to ensure their success, these should be 
trained as cordons on a wall or building. Though it is possible 
to obtain good crops in the- open during favourable seasons, it 
is- too- uncertain to- risk to- any extent, except in a, few favoured 
parts of the- country. It is worth while going to- a, little extra 
trouble by using up any spare-pit or frames for producing them, 
thus- ensuring a, regular supply. I have- seen splendid results 
simply by planting them at, the front of cold frames and train¬ 
ing up about 1 ft. from the glass, removing the lights entirely 
during the hottest weather, as by so doing we are able to- re¬ 
place them as required, and during autumn, by conserving as 
much s-un heat as possible, the fruits can. ripen on the plants, 
which means that the flavour is- far superior to those cut and 
prematurely coloured. 
Plants which are now fruiting under glass will need plenty of 
stimulant to keep them vigorous and fruitful, admitting all the 
air po-ssible during hot, bright days, and a small quantity should 
be given during the night to- maintain a dry, buoyant atmo¬ 
sphere. Cut all fruits when about half coloured, to- prevent 
them from cracking, and finish off in a, warm, dry room. 
Globe Artichokes.—These ought now to receive- a good 
mulching of long stable litter ; reduce the number of crowns, if 
very thfck; apply small quantities of patent manures in 
showery weather, and good doses of farmyard liquid will be 
very beneficial should it set in warm and diy. 
Jerusalem Artichokes should be well hoed, and, after weed- 
life is killed, mould up in the same way as Potatos. Coleworts 
and London Green are among the most useful of our winter 
vegetables, being perfectly hardy, and of very delicate flavour. 
Two sowings at least should always be made, and any time 
through June will be soon enough to e-nsure good useful heads. 
Sow the seed thinly, broadcast, protecting against birds. 
Attend to- the thinning of the- various- crops as they become 
ready, and hoe freely on all favourable occasions. 
E. Beckett. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
Among the Orchids. 
Seasonable Notes. — At the present season, when Orchids are 
flowering profusely, they form attractive and useful subjects, 
either as- specimens or grouping for effect at the horticultural 
shows in various, parts of the kingdom. The question is often 
asked: “ JDo the plants- suffer when used for exhibition pur¬ 
poses?” There can be no doubt that, like all other plants 
subjected to conditions, and a, position unsuitable, if only for 
a few hours, the detrimental effect will be apparent- sooner or 
later ; but, with favourable conditions and a, little forethought 
Orchids will stand exhibition work far more satisfactorily than 
the majority of plants, while for decorative purposes- in the 
house many o-f the spe-cies <uid hybrids in the- Orchid family 
adapt themselves readily to such requirements. We have had 
a, plant of Cymbidium lowianum in- the house- for five weeks, 
carrying seven racemes- of flowers, and, cutting the race-me® on 
their return, they lasted in water for several weeks in good 
condition. 
Phaius, Cypripediums, Ca-tt-leya-s and Dendrobiums we use 
while in flower for furnishing purpose®. Before the- plants are 
* used, either for shows or other purposes, it- is advisable to study 1 
the state- of moisture about the roots, of the plants. If in a 
wet state there is always, a tendency to attract, a current of air 
through the potting compost; this has such a cooling effect 
on the material that the ro-o-ts of the plants are liable to- suffei 
from the chill thus afforded, and although hot apparent at tin 
time the effects- are bound to- be seen later. I always- find £' 
good remedy in allowing the plants to- become fairly dry at tin 
roots-, and, if possible, with the- warmer subjects we place- then 
in a cooler house a. day or two; previously to their being used 
I often have to take plants a very long distance- to reach ex 
hibitions, even in winter, and I have-found, where these pre-can 
tio-ns are taken, the plants have not suffered in the least. 
Flowering Unduly. --Where o-ne has to- select from a sma 
collection sufficient to- afford a goodly display, it- becomes 
difficult matter to avoid the pseudot-bulbs- of o-ur plants beco-n 
ing unduly distressed, signs- o-f which are apparent in theshrinl- 
ing of the textures- and afterwards withered foliage. Whei 
such conditions, prevail it is difficult to produce satisfacto-r 
development c-f growth the following season. It is here v, 
may look generally for the principal cause of injury to planl 
used fo-r exhibition purposes-. I have several times- pointed o-r 
during the p-a-st few months the desirability o-f removing tl 
flowers from the plants, of various species, within a, reasonab. 
time of their having become fully expanded. There can 1 
no doubt that unduly prolonging the removal of the scapes hi 
more cause for distressing the plants- and causing ultimate d !r 
structio-n than any other, short o-f downright carelessness. 
If those responsible for the plants we-re to study this ite 
more- fully, I am convinced we should prolong the longevity 
the plants, now considered to- be- difficult- subjects, for an i 
definite period. Perhaps n.o- species suffer greater from e 
haustio-n through flowering than the Oncidiums and Odontogh 
sums, and as these kinds- are so- durable after the flowers ha’ 
expanded they require more careful attention than the shorte 
lived flowers of other kinds. H- Jq 
