214 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
March 12, 1904. 
Cauliflowers-, Early Broccoli, cabbage of sort®, Brussels Sprouts, 
Radishes, and the like, and these will often prows to be ex¬ 
tremely useful. 
Globe Artichokes which have been heavily protected during 
the winter should now receive attention:. The whole material 
should be moved whenever the weather is in, a mild and suitable 
condition, and a little fresh light litter used in its place when 
frost is likely to occur until the young growths become 
thoroughly hardened. Suckers which were potted up, win¬ 
tered in a cold frame and placed in a sheltered position, should 
be thoroughly hardened preparatory to planting early next 
month. 
Chinese Artichokes (Stachys, tubeaifara).—This delicious 
vegetable, which is finding much favour ini many large estab¬ 
lishments, should now be planted on well-prepared soil. Itj 
thrives best in that of a light sandy nature. Plant in rows, 
and cover to the depth of about 2 in. 
Peas and Broad Beans may now be sown largely on light, 
dry soils, but all those who are not favoured with! such will doi 
well to make one or two more good sowings in boxes, raise in 
cool houses or frames, and! plant out when, the soil is in a more 
congenial condition. Many are under the impression that this 
entails a lot of unnecessary work, but I have proved over and 
over again from past experience that this is not. ,so, but. really 
means in the end ai saving of labour with far better results. 
E. Beckett. 
Aldenham' House Gardens, Elstree. 
Fruit Under Glass. 
Peach Houses. —■ The latest trees will be in flower by now, and 
with more sun there need be no fear but that a. good set. will 
be secured, providing cold draughts are at all times, avoided 
and a fairly dry atmosphere maintained, though damping of 
the border, etc., may be done early mornings and again about, 
2.30 p.m. Giving the trees a slight tapping about mid-day will 
be all that is necessary at this season to distribute the pollen, 
and if bees are kept within a mile they will be sure to find 
out the blossom. Trees passed out of flower 1 in succession 
houses require almost daily attention in, the removal of super¬ 
fluous shoots 1 , as advised for the earliest trees a month since, 
it being better practice to: do a little a.nd often than to use 
too free a hand to. begin with. The night temperature should 
not much exceed 50 deg., rising with sun-heat to 70 deg., with 
top ventilation when it reaches 60 deg.; while in the earliest 
house the fruit will be swelling away, and require thinning 
where a good set has been, .secured, retaining those placed in 
the best positions for sun, which is generally found on the 
upper part of the branch, allowing a space of 5 in. to. 7 in. 
between each fruit, that when the final thinning is done a, fruit 
to every 12 in. or 14 in. of the trellis will be a. good crop. 
Trees that are inclined to drop their fruits during the stoning 
process should not be finally thinned until after that period, 
though I am inclined to think this i-si often brought about by 
leaving too many fruits on at a time when a, great strain is 
put upon the trees, which, if removed before, doubtless would 
have prevented this in. many oases; but. there are other 
causes that account for unsatisfactory stoning of the fruit, and 
absence of lime in the soil .is one, though, happily, the gardener 
can quickly rectify this. When water is necessary at the root 
apply diluted drainings from the farmyard or stables', or a 
sprinkling of guano or some other artificial for a change, all of 
which are beneficial t.o the Peach, heating the water to 75 
or even 80 deg. Do all the forcing by day, and with sun-heat 
every chance, and if the house registers 50 deg. at. 6 a.m. after 
a cold night it will be far better for the crop than if it had 
stood 8 deg. or 10 deg. higher, and do not exceed 80 deg. with 
sun-heat during the day for some weeks yet. 
Strawberries. —Up to quite the end of February the weather 
was much against the setting of the berries', very little sun 
being registered in this part of the country, and extra fire-heat 
never makes up for it, but with daily use of the camelhair 
brush about noon to distribute what little pollen was ripe, a 
fair crop has been secured for the earliest batch. While the 
fruits are swelling give weak diluted guano-water or cow-yard 
drainings each time water is required, and support the fruit 
(six to twelve, according to variety) hi good time with forked 
sticks, or tie with a band of raffia-, retaining the best shaped 
and most even fruits when thinning to' the above number. 
Afford the plants all the sun possible, and ply the Syria o-e 
among thorn early mornings when- bright, but a watch must 
be kept that the fruit do not decay, and as soon as the berries 
begin to colour discontinue the use of the syringe as well as the 
stimulant, and where possible give a chink of air .throughout 
the day, and as the fruits ripen less water should be given, or 
the flavour will be deficient. Succession plants in flower should 
have a. plume of pampas worked lightly over them at. mid-day 
to distribute the pollen, and examined as to state of moisture 
a.t the root twice a day when bright. A night temperature of 
50 deg. will suit the latter, while plants swelling their fruits 
may be given an extra 10 deg. or 15 deg., advancing to 80 deg. 
with sun-heat. Keep up the supply by fortnightly relays. 
Melons sown about January 20th and well ca-redforwillbefast 
covering the trellis, and will require almost daily attention in 
regulating the leading growth, rubbing off all laterals that show 
below ‘the trellis, and pinching a ,t the first leaf, others at the 
base of the trellis, to form sublaterals', which should show fruit 
at the same time as those further up. Pinch out -the point of 
leading shoot when about 9 in. of its limit, and as the days 
lengthen the syringe may be freely worked .amongst the foliage 
to ward off red spider—its-chief enemy. Plant out for succes¬ 
sion, using lumpy turf, which the Melon thrives in best-; in 
fact., it- matters little if fresh cut fr-oui the pasture, so. long as 
it- is warmed before setting out the plants. Where the bottom 
is supplied with leaves and manure, see that it does not sub¬ 
side and hang tlie plant to the trellis. Sow -every third 
v eex, and ma.inta.in a night temp-erat-ure of 70 deg., a.dvanciu°' 
to 85 deg. with sun-heat. James Mayxe. ° 
Briton, Devonshire. 
Mulching. 
There is -probably no garden operation which gives a better 
return for the outlay and labour involved, and yet is more 
neglected than that of mulching. 
Undoubtedly tine untidy appearance usually present where 
mulching is applied render's its use -objectionable in some posi¬ 
tions', . but. this may be minimised to some -extent by using 
long litter, and by partially covering with some light soil. 
M ith the- exception of Potato®, there is no garden crop but 
would benefit by a good mulch of half-rotted manure during 
the growing season; ini fact., -such applied in time during hot 
seasons often averts a, failure of some more or less iin nn.ri-.nm, 
crops. 
The productiveness of Peas, Broad and Kidney Beans is in- 
ci eased and prolonged by mulching; while Onions and Carrots 
are often carried safely over tli-a critical period of maggot and 
viiewonn by the timely application of several inches of good, 
short litter. 
The same treatment often saves the Br’assica family from 
similar attacks,' while there is nothing more conducive to 
healthy growth and fertility in fruit-trees and bushes than 4 in. 
or 5 in. of littery manure put over their roots in early spring 
and left- over summer. I think such is better removed early 
in autumn before the sun heat has lost. too. much of its influence, 
and renewed in -spring before the soil has parted with much 
of its winter-acquired moisture. To> tile gardener who i.s short 
oc hands mulching will save much labour, both with watering- 
can and hoe, and in wet seasons, such -as last-, the gain in the 
use of mulching a-s a. preventive where annual weeds abound is 
all in the gardenerisi favour. G. F. 
