652 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
August. 19, 1905. 
Hardy Herbaceous Border. 
Autumn-floweringPlants. —The numerous 
varieties of these, which flower during the 
present time and the end of October, are a 
most useful section, and one of the most 
valuable among hardy plants, for our borders 
would be very dull without them. Many 
of these are strong growers, reaching a height 
of 6 ft. or 7 ft., and should he well supported 
to prevent rough winds, which we may reason¬ 
ably expect at this season, from damaging 
the growths. Solidago Shortii is quite the 
best of this family, and the long, drooping 
sprays of bright yellow flowers are very showy. 
Rudbeekia nitida, which is also known under 
several other names, is a fine variety, having 
very large single flowers. Another of the 
cone flowers which should always find a place 
is R. laeiniata Golden Glow, with large, 
double yellow blossoms. Helenium 'autum¬ 
nal e superbum is a giant in growth, and has 
very branching stems, carrying innumerable 
quantities of flowers. Among dwarfer sub¬ 
jects we have Helenium. pumil urn magnificum, 
Rudbeekia speciosa, R. Bolanderi, PhygeliUs 
capensis, etc., these being among the motet 
desirable for autumn decoration. 
Large flowering Gladioli should be securely 
staked and well watered if dry weather pre¬ 
vails, and a mulching of some short material 
given. A. E. T. 
Hardy Trees and Shrubs. 
The Ornamental Crabs. — Among the 
numerous varieties of trees and shrubs culti¬ 
vated for the beauty of their fruits in autumn 
the Crabs, without doubt, take a foremost 
position, and with us this year they give every 
promise of being more beautiful than they 
have been for many years past. In all cases 
the branches are heavily laden with great 
quantities of fruit, which is a curious fact, 
as all Apple trees in this district are bearing 
very small crops. Where the Crabs are very 
heavily laden it will be advisable to thin 
but some of the fruit, or the branches may 
become broken, and it should be seen that 
the trees are securely staked where this is 
necessary. 
Summer pruning will also need attention, 
and the success or failure of the fruiting next 
season very largely depends on the way in 
which tliis is performed. It. should be done 
exactly in the same way as Apple trees, by 
shortening back the growths which have been 
made this season and leaving about five or six 
eyes. The varieties are fairly numerous, 
but the most ornamental will be found among 
the following:—The Siberian Crab, Pyrus 
baccata, is the most common, and seldom fails 
to fruit freely, the fruits hanging on the tree 
long into winter, and although not very palat¬ 
able in a raw state, are excellent as a pre¬ 
serve. Dartmouth, Giant, Transparent, and 
John Downie all have red and yellow fruits. 
Pyrus niedzwetzkyana is a little known but 
extremely ornamental species, with fruits of a 
peculiar shade of red. A variety of P. baccata 
named Beauty of Montreal, which I believe 
is not yet in commerce, is said to be the most 
beautiful of all Grabs on account of its high 
colouring. I have not yet been able to prove 
his, but a sood-sized specimen is carrying 
large fruits in great profusion here this year, 
some samples of which I hope to send the 
Editor when ripe. P. prunifolia has bright 
red fruits, and its variety, fructu luteo, bright 
yellow. Other desirable varieties are P. 
spectabilis, Ringo and Kaido. All the above 
Crabs will succeed in almost any well-worked 
soil, and are, perhaps, most ornamental when 
grown as standards with a good length of 
stem. A. E. Thatcher. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
Potatos. —The early varieties will have 
now completed their growth, and should be 
lifted immediately and placed under cover. 
It is well to bear in mind that by so doing 
one invariably saves a crop from the ravages 
of the dreaded disease. Should a spell of wet, 
showery weather set in it is more than likely 
that it will make its appearance, and when 
once it does it nearly always spreads with 
alarming rapidity, and in addition to this 
the ground is generally needed for winter 
crops. Turnips and Spinach as a rule do re¬ 
markably well after these. 
Cardoons. —Though not everyone’s vege¬ 
table, these are frequently in demand in large 
establishments, and to ensure good specimens 
the blanching should be commenced at once. 
It takes a considerable time to perfect this ; 
not less than from nine to ten weeks should 
be allowed ; and the most simple and effec¬ 
tual way that I know to accomplish this is to 
bind bands of brown paper first round the 
stalks, then hay bands bound closely together 
round them Place a stake to each plant, 
give a thorough drenching with water at the 
roots, and when dry bank up plenty of soil 
to them, finishing off in the same way as 
Celery is done. 
Cabbage, —Another sowing of seed should 
be made on a warm border to form a suc¬ 
cession to that already sown. Continue to 
plant out Goleworts on any spare vacant piece 
of ground, one foot apart all ways, as pre¬ 
viously advised. 
Carrots. —'Where portable frames or pits 
are available, make a final sowing of the 
stump - rooted, quick - maturing varieties. 
These will give a supply of tender young roots 
through the winter months, which are gene¬ 
rally much preferred for many purposes to 
the larger specimens. 
Celery. — Continue to earth up and per¬ 
fectly blanch as the plants become ready, so 
that no break can occur in the supply. But 
before doing so give a thorough soaking to 
the roots and place a little fresh soot round 
the base of each plant, dusting the tops also 
with this about every ten days. Later plant¬ 
ings should have all side growths carefully 
removed, and be liberal in applying plenty 
of clear and manure water. 
Celeriac will also require plenty of mois¬ 
ture both at the roots and over the foliage, 
and the surface soil should frequently be 
stirred with the Dutch hoe. 
Sow more Spinach, Lettuce, Endive, and 
Radishes. E. Beckett. 
Aldenham House Gardens Elstree. 
Fruit Garden. 
Indoor. 
Melons. — The weather during July suited 
these, whether in heated pits or cold frames, 
but should it set in dull and wet great care 
is necessary as regards watering, etc., as the 
plants are so susceptible to suddenly die off 
at the collar, canker being the cause of tliis, 
as lias already been stated in these calendars. 
Although shade is not usually recommended 
for this fruit, we find a little is really bene¬ 
ficial during the hottest part of the day ; it 
prevents the foliage getting parched and 
falling a prey to red spider. Plants reaching 
the flowering stage must be kept dry overhead 
until a crop is secured, and artificial fertilisa¬ 
tion of the flowers indulged in about the 
middle of the day. We planted our latest 
crop a week since, and, providing a nice 
autumn ensues, we usually get some good 
fruit, but much care and even anxiety is 
caused from the time the flowers are set until 
the crop is finished. What is required for 
late Melons is light structures, plants within 
a foot of the glass roof, and a genial heat from 
the hot-water pipes during sunless weather 
throughout, this, joined with careful water¬ 
ing and avoiding cold draughts likely to check 
the plants, nice serviceable fruits should 
result. Do not keep those in unheated 
frames too moist, or the remaining fruits may 
crack, no unusual tiling to happen with 
amateurs or even practical men. Ventilate 
early on bright days, and as the fruit ripens 
keep a little on constantly. Dust with 
powdered lime immediately any decay is 
noticed in the bine, and keep same dry as 
possible. 
Peaches will be ripening fast now under 
glass, and should be gone over every morn¬ 
ing and gathered before they are too soft, or 
they get badly marked even in experienced 
hands, and soon decay. The fruits soon ripen 
off' when placed m the fruit store, and keep 
many days if not bruised in gathering. 
Syringe the foliage every evening as soon as 
all fruits are off', and examine the border, 
applying a thorough watering if on the dry 
side, and replacing the mulch after to con¬ 
serve the moisture. 
Outdoor. 
The most important work connected with 
this department of late lias been the fruit 
gathering, and we were right glad to see the 
last of Gooseberries, Raspberries, Black Cur¬ 
rants, etc., for no matter how one nets, the 
birds, thrushes and blackbirds will get under 
and prove a continual worry to those respon¬ 
sible. We have Red and White Currants 
still on a north wall, also Morellos, but the 
wasps are playing havoc with these, as well 
as Plums, while the birds stick their beak 
into the latter almost before colouring begins, 
and the worry it causes, beside the loss of 
crops, is enough to try the patience of Job. 
To keep sound fruit this season, with the 
ground so dry that no worms are available foi 
the feathered tribe, one need net every tree, 
but at the time of writing a nice rain has 
fallen, which will, I hope, improve matters, 
but, it was accompanied with such a high 
wind that much of the best fruit standing 
in the open has blown to the ground this 
