378 
May 7, 1904. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
and this, if properly diluted, may be given every watering. 
The plants may now be safely plunged at the foot of a south 
or west wall, applying a slight protection in the case of severe 
frost. Continue to plant out spring-sown, plants of Autumn 
Giant, Walcherem, and Magnum Bonum on ground which has 
been well enriched and has not for a year previously been 
occupied with any of the Brassica, family. Make one more 
sowing of Autumn Giant for very late usie. 
. Turnips. —Make frequent small sowings of suitable varieties, 
such asi Snowball and Veitch’si Red Globe. Thin out in good 
time the earlier batches to a good distance apart and ply the 
hoe frequently. 
Frost. —Keep a sharp, lookout, and protect a,s far asi possible 
when this is likely to occur during the present month. 
Aldenham House' Gardens, Elstree. E. Beckett. 
Fruit Under Glass. 
Melons •— The earliest crop will be on the point of ripening, 
when a drier atmosphere must be maintained overhead as well 
a,s, at the root, together with more liberal ventilation, and, if 
possible, a small amount during the night. Do not cut the 
fruit until there are signs of it parting from, the stem, and if 
supported on boards it will be wise to put a strand of raffia 
around to prevent it from falling off in case a fruit or two 
should be overlooked. Doubtless Melons, when thoroughly 
ripened on the plants, which''they should be, are best eaten 
within, a day or two after being plucked, but if placed in a coed 
fruit room they will keep firm for two or three weeks, though 
the verdict of the connoisseur is that the flavour of the fruit, is 
much impaired. Before planting the division again thoroughly 
wash woodwork and glass, remove exhausted soil and replenish 
with fairly heavy loam, with the addition of a little lime rubble, 
soot and bonemeal, allowing twenty-four hours for the soil to 
warm before setting out a fresh batch of plants. Full details 
were given in my calendar for April 9th as regards fertilising, 
stopping, supporting the fruit, etc., so need not be repeated 
here. 
The Cherry House. —Tree® that have passed through the 
stoning period may be subjected to, more heat by day and a 
trifle warmer through the night if the fruit is required at a 
given date, but, as before stated in these calendars, hard forc¬ 
ing should not prevail with this fruit; 58 deg. to 60 deg. is the 
safest figure, advancing to 75 deg. or 80deg. with sun-heat, 
admitting air at 65 deg. Cherries are much improved in 
flavour by leaving a chink of air on throughout the night, and 
as soon as, ripening commences overhead moisture must be 
discontinued, or the fruit will crack ; neither must they be 
gathered before fully ripe, although to the eye they appear fit 
some days before they are really ready for dessert. Thrushes 
and blackbirds soon find ripe Cherries out, therefore a net 
should be placed over the ventilators betimes. Syringe later 
trees twice a day until colouring begins, and pinch all lateral 
shoots at the fifth or sixth leaf, and resulting ones at the first 
leaf. Although similar to other indoor fruit, flavo'ur is much 
improved by lessening the water supply at the root; guard 
against erring on that score, especially with pot trees, or 
shrivelling of the fruit will quickly- occur, and clear water only 
applied when at this stage. 
The Orchard House. —Most, of the trees here will now be 
passed out, of flower, and should be well syringed early morning 
and again about 4 p.m. Peaches, Nectarines and Cherry trees 
soon fall a prey to' red spider if left long to themselves in this 
respect. Give the trees a top-dressing of loam and fresh horse- 
droppings to assist thel swelling of the fruits, and see that they 
do not suffer for water; frequent examination, is necessary 
during bright days, as they quickly diy up at this time of the 
year. Tire stopping of the shoots is the same as- for Cherries, 
and, should aphis show, fumigate two- successive evenings with 
XL All, the safest remedy for these pests. I have used this 
when the trees (Peach, Nectarine, and Cherry) were in, full 
bloom without causing the least injury to either, but do not 
advocate its being done- except in veiy extreme cases-. I 
merely mention the fact to show its absolute safety in expe¬ 
rienced hands. 
Pot Vines. —Where these supply the earliest Grapes the 
fruit will be fast changing colour, when manurial watering-, 
must be discontinued and clear water only applied. At the 
present the cold northerly winds prevent much ventilation 
being left on at night, the thermometer dropping down to 30 
deg. on the morning of April 26th, but as the days are bright 
take advantage of this and admit plenty of fresh air to add 
colour and flavour to the fruit; 60 deg. will be high enough for 
the night. 
Pot Strawberries .—The latest batches should be placed 
under glass if not already done, these coming on well in un¬ 
heated pits or frame®, pulling back the lights on fine days 
while the plants; are in flower and leaving just a chink of air 
at, night to dispel moisture. As soon as set, thin the berries 
to' about a dozen, more or less according to variety, and place 
supports so that the stalks do not get crippled, and feed the 
plants -until colouring begins. Examine all plants two or 
three time's daily, as they quickly dry this time of year. 
Bicton, Devonshire. * James Matke. 
Proposed Gardeners’ Association. 
As our readers are aware, there has been a project on foot, 
for some time to organise a gardeners’ association for the bet¬ 
terment of the position of the craft. Some circulars have 
been printed and are now in tire course of being published to 
notify that a meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 1st 
next (the second day of the Temple Show), in the Essex Hall, 
Essex Street, Strand, at 6 p.m., for the purpose of discussing 
the' subject and organising an association. All classes of gar- 
deneis are invited to be present. The following extract will 
give some idea of the object in view. The lion, secretary is 
Mr. William Watson, Kew Road, Ivew, Surrey:—(1) Regis¬ 
tration of gardeners; (2) regulation of wages; (fi) regulation 
of working hours. These three are admittedly the most urgent 
matters requiring attention. Other questions which the asso¬ 
ciation might take up subsequently are the proportion of 
apprentices or improvers to journeymen, especially in private 
gardens; foreign or alien labour; the assistance of sick and 
aged members and of gardeners’ orphans who* may be in need. 
TIiere is no reason why gardeners working together and in 
the true co-operative spirit should not obtain such control 
over questions of this kind, which directly affect the welfare 
and happiness of the individual and tlie best interests of 
Butish horticulture, as would enable them to, deal effectively 
with grievances, as they arise. There is little doubt that the 
employer has often cause to complain of the dull-witted, un¬ 
skilled •‘gardener” who does so much to keep the status of the 
profession ,at zero', and who will continue to foist himself on 
the employer so long as -means are not adopted to secure to 
the employer some guarantee of the competence of the candi¬ 
date for employment,. 
Although gardening ri one of the oldest, and also one of the 
most important industries in this country, its 1 votaries are 
absolutely without, organisation. It isi said that there are 
10,000 gardeners in England alone, but if we include com¬ 
mercial and trade gardeners, there are probably at least as 
many more. An, association, that succeeds in uniting them on 
co-operative lines will constitute a force which, under proper 
guidance, will lift the profession, into- a, higher position, than it 
occupies now. The right of workers to combine for mutual 
protection, and assistance is; now recognised and even en¬ 
couraged. Trade unions, friendly societies, co-operative 
societies', and similar institutions provide a, means for attain¬ 
ing and conserving that independence, which is net only a 
source of strength, but, the foundation of prosperity and happi¬ 
ness. Associated effort will find its highest level in pro¬ 
portion as all the elements—the body corporate—are health¬ 
fully self-reliant and manfully united for the common good of 
all. But association, will not be strong, hov'ever numerous in 
membership, if the units that compose it are cowards”— 
“ Howell.” 
