92 
THE GARDENING WORLD. January 30. 1904. 
be lightly tiled or nailed to the post a.t thei commencement, and 
if the planting is done in the summer months copious supplies 
of water should be given.. There are now a great number of 
varieties, the names of which it is not necessary to' mention 
here, suffice to say that the green-leaved, silver and golden 
variegated forms, both large and small, are equally valuable, 
and are well adapted for this mode of culture. 
It is quite probable that we may yet experience some severe 
weather, and it will be advisable to see that everything which 
is at all likely to be injured is well covered. Owing to the 
large quantity of rain which fell last summer and autumn,many 
things are much more liable to be injured than would other¬ 
wise have been the case, and a little protection will save 
irreparable damage. A. E. Thatcher. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
Fruit Under Glass. 
Cucumbers. —This is about the worst time in the whole year 
for fruit, as the autumn set out plants in many instances will 
be getting past their best, especially if they have been in the 
least over-cropped, or red spider allowed to get the upper hand, 
which is not unlikely after so much dull wet weather, which 
has enforced the use of more tire-heat to keep up the desired 
temperature than is necessary during bright days. But with 
the advent of longer days, and it is to bei hoped more sun, 
the plants, if not too exhausted, will soon pull round, though 
light cropping must be the order. Do> not stop the growths 
too tightly during the next few weeks, removing any disfigured 
foliage 'gradually, lightly syringing the plants once or twice 
daily when fine, and afford quite a light top-dressing of loam 
and fresh horse droppings as soon as new roots appear on the 
surface; this should be placed in the house over night to get 
warm. I always make a point of sowing a few seeds the first 
week in December. These were set out at the end of the 
month, and are making headway, and we hope to cut from 
these early in March. Make another sowing, one seed in a, 
2-|-in. pot, and place in, a bottom heat of 80 deg., the tempera¬ 
ture of the house being from 65 deg. to 70 deg. at night, with 
a rise of 10 deg. or 12 deg. with sun heat. These will germi¬ 
nate in, a few days, when stand near the glass; support, with 
■a neat stake, and set out the plants before they get pot-bound 
on mounds of fairly rich soil within 18 in. of the glass, and 
apply water with great care for the first few weeks until the 
plants are established. A good strain of Rollinson’s Telegraph 
still holds the field either for summer or winter fruiting. 
Strawberries. —As these expand their petals and the pollen 
becomes ripe, lightly touch over each flower with a camel-hair 
brush about mid-day, keeping a dry, warm atmosphere over¬ 
head while in bloom. The plants must not suffer for water at 
the root, but on the other hand a sodden state of the soil 
must be guarded against and a night temperature of 50 deg. 
to 55 deg. maintained, and admit a little ventilation on all 
favourable occasions, but avoid cold draughts, or an imperfect 
set will be the result. As soon as it can be determined which 
berries are going to take the lead, thin down to half a 
dozen, which are better than double that number for an early 
crop, and apply weak guano water each time root watering 
is required. On bright days a, light dewing overhead from 
the syringe about 9 a,.m. will be beneficial to the fruit, and tend 
to ward off red spider, so injurious to the Strawberry. Intro¬ 
duce a fresh batch according to the demand about once a fort¬ 
night, a temperature, of 45 deg. to 50 deg. in mild weather at 
night doing no harm. Wash the pots, see that the drainage 
hole is clear, and clean over the surface soil before placing the 
pots on the shelves, and should aphis appear either fumigate or 
syringe the foliage with some good insecticide. 
The Vineries. —Pot Vines in flower should be afforded a, night 
temperature of 65 deg., advancing to. 75 deg. or even 80 deg. 
with sun. heat during the day. Cold currents of air must be 
avoided at this early season, when foliage is quickly injured, 
also the. crop, and maintain a dry atmosphere while in bloorn. 
Lightly tapping the rods at mid-day will usually effect an 
even set with early forcing varieties such as Hamburghs and 
Foster’s Seedling, still two of the best for April and May 
supply of ripe fruit. Early permanent Vines should be dis¬ 
budded as soon as the best bunch laterals can be seen, and in 
bringing down the growths to the wires great care must be 
exercised, or the same are quickly snapped off. Lower the 
Vines every few days, and gradually get them in position by 
the time they come into flower—a time when the laterals are 
the least crisp. Late Grapes still hanging on the Vine should 
be immediately cut and bottled, and ‘the Vines pruned and put 
in order, a room where a temperature of 40 deg. to 50 deg. 
can be maintained being a suitable place in lieu of a proper 
grade room. This should be darkened, and the bunches 
examined weekly in case of decaying berries and the bottles 
kept filled, so that the end of the lateral reaches the water. 
Vine eyes that were placed in small pots early in the month 
should now be given a bottom, heat of 75 deg to 80 deg., with 
a top 'heat, of 65 deg. or 70 deg., and kept rather on the dry 
side for the present. James Mayxe. 
Bicton, Devonshire. 
Chyrch Decoration at Christmas. 
As the season of Christmas approaches, it has long been the 
custom to decorate the insides of our churches with evergreens, 
flowers, and berries. In many cases this work falls to the lot 
of the gardener, and, having had a fair experience at this 
branch of the profession, I trust a few remarks on the subject 
may prove useful to fellow gardeners. Commencing with the 
pillars, these can be tastefully encircled with wreaths lightly 
composed of different evergreens, and if Holly berries are plen¬ 
tiful work in a few of these. In the absence of berries, hips 
from the Sweet Brier, or those from the common Dog Bose, make 
excellent substitutes. 
The choir stalls may next be taken in hand, and as in many 
instances these are made of dark wood, it is advisable to employ 
light-coloured wreaths, such as variegated Holly, Yew, Aucuba, 
while some of the silver Ivies make splendid material, always 
aiming at lightness, and avoiding thick heavy outlines. Gothic 
arches are perhaps the most difficult parts to decorate, more 
especially when the using of nails is forbidden as a means 
of securing the wreath in its place. This difficulty, however, 
can be overcome by using light iron rods made to the shape 
of the arches, and held in position by strong wire clips. Pre¬ 
vious to placing in position the rods should be dressed with 
the necessary decoration agreed upon. There are usually small 
niches where the arches spring from the pillars, and a nice 
finish is secured by introducing Moss-covered pieces of clay 
into these places, and lightly dressing the same with a few 
pieces of Honesty, Physalis, and Everlastings, with a few hang¬ 
ing sprays of Ficus or Ivy. Pulpits and reading-desks need 
particular attention, and the choicest material should be re¬ 
served for these places. Short texts can be introduced with 
excellent effect, the letters being cut out of pure cotton-wool 
and mounted on crimson or red background, edged with Holly 
or variegated Yew. The windows, especially the principal 
ones, should be nicely decorated, the sills being first covered 
with bright green Moss, into which can be thinly arranged a 
few dwarf Poinsettias and Roman Hyacinths, with a graceful 
Areca or Kentia in the centre to add lightness. A few sprigs 
of berried Holly and a bunch or two of Everlastings may be 
inserted in the Moss, finishing off with sprays of Ivy as an 
edging. 
It is not advisable or necessary to decorate the font to any j 
extent, as in many cases it is of itself highly ornamental, 
but at the base may be placed a small bank of bright- 
flowered plants with the pots hidden in Moss, and a nice Palm 
or Dracaena placed in the centre of the font itself. Around the 
edge may be fastened a thin wire, which can he dressed with 
light sprays of Ivy, brightened by Holly berries. 
No more suitable or simple adornment for the vicinity of the 
altar can he obtained than by using tall Palms and a few 
nicely-bloomed white Chrysanthemums, the vases for cut 
flowers being filled with the choicest flowers at command. 
In the making of the various wreaths, bind the material firmly 
to stout string for a foundation, commencing the work some 
days in advance of the festival, so that there need be no delay. 
Green and \ sriegated Hollies, Ivies, and Yews are amongst the i 
most suitable evergreens for the work, and happy is the man 
whose shrubberies are far removed from smoky towns. A great 
deal more might be said on this interesting subject, as different 
festivals require different decoration, bat having -taken Christ . 
mas decoration as a heading I have confined my remarks to the 
festive season. ' T. H. B. 
