614 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
July 18, 1903, 
WORK OF THE WEEK. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
The spell of hot, dry weather, following on the heavy 
drenching of last month, has caused the ground, especially 
that of a stiff, tenacious nature, to shrink and crack con¬ 
siderably, except where well mulched. Constantly stirring 
the surface with the hoes; and filling up 1 the openings: with 
the finest of the soil will do much to> keep out the drought 
and assist growth. The value: of the hoes during diy spells 
of weather can har dly be over estimated. 
Late Leas.—No crop requires more attention or is more 
highly appreciated than late Teas of the best quality, and 
so much dejiends on their management during the early 
stages of growth that no* pains should be spared to give them 
a good start. Assuming that the trenches were properly pre¬ 
pared and the seed sown as advised m previous calendars, 
the last sowing will now be well above the ground, and the 
first thought sliould be to ensure each plant being a good dis¬ 
tance apart, overcrowding being fatal to' good growth.; conse¬ 
quently the plants become starved, and instead of continuing 
to bear for a. very long time, as they should during autumn, 
they soon become exhausted. Mulch thoroughly between, 
them with half-decayed horse-droppings, and thorough drench- 
ings of water should be: given to the loots, both clear and in 
a, liquid manure form, drainings from the farmyard, well 
diluted, being as good, as anything. Damp the growths well 
with tepid water during early evening, and give occasional 
dustings of sulphur to prevent mildew spreading to any great 
extent; some sorts are much more susceptible to this than 
others. Mildew generally makes its appearance after sudden 
changes in the temperature,, or when the roots are allowed 
to suffer for want of moisture. See that the growths are 
properly trained to the sticks. 
Shallots. — These will now have finished their growths, and 
should he lifted and laid out thinly in a, sunny position to 
finish ripening. In case of wet, showery weather setting in, 
place them in cool vineries or cold frames. 
Onions. -Winter varieties should also be lifted and 
ripened; the white kinds: are bad keepers and should be used 
first. Manure and dig the ground deeply ready for another 
crop. Spring-sown crops which are required for large speci¬ 
mens should now be making good bulbs, and will require much 
assistance to build up> large heavy specimens. Too much 
water can hardly be given to 1 the roots, providing the ground 
has been well drained and trenched. Plenty of manure liquid 
must also be applied for the next fortnight, and small doses 
of patent vegetable fertilisers also- during showery weather. 
Damp over the tops: during evening - unless mildew makes its 
appearance, and means must at once be taken to prevent it 
spreading. Remove all infected parts and bum them ; dust 
thoroughly with sulphur and discontinue damping for a few 
days. 
Artichokes, Globe. --Cut the heads immediately they are 
of sufficient size for use; and store in a cool place where they 
will keep for ten days or a fortnight, providing it is not too 
dark. Apply good drenchmgsi of liquid manure to the roots, 
as by so doing at this season the plants will continue: to hear 
for a, long tune during autumn. 
Cardoons must receive plenty of moisture both at the roots 
and over-head, as a, free, quick growth should now be made 
as speedily as possible; mulch between the plants. 
French Beans.- —Make another sowing on a, south border, 
where temporary lights or some protection can be given, if 
needed, or, better still, sow thinly in cold frames. July sow¬ 
ings a,rei often of great service during late autumn where 
French Beans are in demand. 
Cabbage. — The bed of this very important crop will have 
to he sown during the present month, or, at least, part of it. 
Much will depend, however, as to the locality in which one 
resides as to: date; and two sowings should always be made 
on finely prepared soil, and well net against, birds. There 
is no 1 variety that I am acquainted with for general purposes 
better than the old favourite, Ellam’s Early. 
Savoys. -Late plantings of these are much more serviceable 
than the earlier ones; and oftentimes those planted in a good 
open position at the end of July on manured and deeply duo 
ground will withstand severe weather much better than larger 
ones. Drumhead is a capital variety for planting late. Alloy 
a distance of 2 ft. from row to row, and 18 in. from plant tc 
plant. E. Beckett. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
The Stove and Greenhouse. 
Malinaison Carnations. —There are two methods of pro 
pa.gating these beautiful flowering plants, viz., by cuttings in 
sorted m warmth in spring, 'and by layering at, this time ii 
frames'. I advise those who have a stock of good health} 
plants, with several shoots near the base, to layer them a; 
once; in order that the, layers may become well rooted befort 
winter. I have had good results by layering into soil on e 
half-spent notched with a, frame thereon. A layer of sand} 
soil 3 in. thick should he placed in, the frame, and the plant 
put out with a trowel, taking care to let them down lov 
enough so that the shoots to be layered are near the soil, 
usually plant them obliquely. Tlie method of layering i 
precisely the same as for the border varieties, and they a., 
readily emit roots. When, it is, seen, they are sufficient!}; 
rooted to support themselves, sever from the parent plant 
and pot off singly into 31,-in. pots-, using a compost of three 
fifths good fibrous loam, one of leaf-soil or peat, and on: 
made up of mortar rubble; wood-ashes, and sharp 1 silver sand 
Use clean pots, and drain them efficiently. A pit with a hot 
water pipe running round is a capital plan for the youm 
plants; or, failing that, they may be placed in the greenhouse 
near the roof-glass. Mahnaisons are impatient of a damp 
stagnant atmosphere. A temperature of about 45 deg. or 5( 
deg. during winter suits them well, and at no time in their 
growth should forcing be practised. Shade the plants from 
bright sun, and avoid over-watering. 
Epiphyllum truncatuvn —These plants, having now com¬ 
pleted their growth in, a warm house, should be removed to a 
cooler structure; where plenty of air is admitted, in order to 
mature the growths; for flowering in, midwinter. Replace 
them in the stove when cold weather sets in. There are severe 
garden varieties of the species, varying in colour from pinl 
to violet, and the blossoms are useful for making into button 
holes and sprays, as well as for the adornment of the stov, 
and temperate house. Like allj fleshy-leaved plants, th; 
Epiphyllums require but little water, either at the root o 
overhead. 
Kalosanthes coccinea. —Cuttings of this old-fashione* 
scarlet-flowering greenhouse plant may now be put in, and i 
the plants, from which they are taken have been standing in 
a partially shaded spot in the open, they will strike roo 
quicker than if they are soft and sappy. Insert five cutting 
in a. 3i in. pot of sandy, loamy soil, and place them in a, cob 
frame that, is kept close and 'shaded. When nicely rooted 
pot on into 32’s, and grow on gently in a, frame or greenhouse 
Calceolarias.—Seed of the herbaceous varieties may con 
he: sown, if not already done ; the resulting plants will flowe 
next May. Great care must be exercised, as the seed is small 
Prepare a pan of rich, light sandy soil, pass through a fim 
sieve, and water well with a fine-rosed can ; then sow the see: 
thinly and evenly over the surface, but. do not cover with soil 
Place: over the receptacle a sheet, of glass, and over this sonu 
moss, which should be kept moist, to prevent evaporation 
Remove this when the seedlings appear. Prick off when largi 
enough to handle into other pans, and afterwards pot off sing } 
and grew on freely in a frame. 
