448 
THE GARDENING 
WORLD 
June 3, 1905. 
adapted to its environment. It was proved 
that early varieties, such as Ashleaf, Early 
Rose and others did not appear to have de¬ 
teriorated after a long period of cultivation. 
The suggested explanation was that newly 
raised varieties varied in vigour sufficient to 
carry them on for six years to any indefinite 
number of years. Cross fertilisation pro¬ 
duced longer-lived varieties than self-fer¬ 
tilised Potatos. 
How to Prolong the Life of a Potato. 
The above discussion brought some re¬ 
marks anent- the prolongation of the life of a 
variety of Potato. Raisers were advised to 
exercise more care before introducing new 
varieties to commerce. They should be 
grown under trial for at least six years until 
their vigour and disease-resisting properties 
were determined. Mature Potato's should 
be selected for seed, and in using uncut 
tubers, medium-sized ones give the best 
results. In other directions the selection of 
tubers offered but little. Sets should be 
stored in such a way or under such conditions 
as to prevent premature sprouting. The 
best seed came from Scotland, but even there 
change of soil seems necessary. From this 
point of view the seed should be frequently 
changed. At least one writer considered 
that the excessive use of nitrogenous manures 
might lead to rapid degeneration. Some 
varieties of Potato remained apparently un¬ 
changed for long periods. A good many 
cultivators are under the impression that 
Potatos produced from sets are new in¬ 
dividuals and not merely parts of one and 
the same. This question is not considered 
definitely settled. The outcome of the dis¬ 
cussion has been a considerable body of facts 
relating to other plants as well as Potatos, 
and the information has provided sugges¬ 
tions for experimental research. 
Notes from Glasgow. —- May frosts are 
always serious matters for gardeners. This 
year we are not exempt from the usual pro¬ 
portion of cold nights in this month. Last 
week we had something akin to a tropical 
taste of heat, but again we have been plunged 
into a sudden change of cold days and frosty 
nivhts. A friend from the country tells me 
that as late as Sunday they had four degrees 
of frost, causing considerable havoc among 
some of the ’mums requiring to be in the open 
on account of their advanced state. This 
morning again was frosty, and throughout the 
day, despite every effort of the sun to assert 
his authority in the firmament, the clouds 
appeared as if laden with hail. A cold noith- 
east wind chills the air. I am informed that 
our city is about to steal a march upon the 
neighbouring metropolis, inasmuch as it is on 
the° eve of giving to Scottish gardeners the 
benefit of a horticultural paper. We hope the 
new venture will have the fullest support, 
and that it may be another characteristic of 
an enterprising and go-ahead city. I often 
broached the importance of a thoroughly 
Scotch gardening paper to several of my Edin¬ 
burgh friends, but I was always met with the 
financial doubt which the idea entailed. 
“ Auld Reekie ” is careful in that “ wey.” 
Tomatos from Mr. A. Milne, Crossford, Clyde¬ 
side, were exposed for sale in the Fruit and 
Vegetable Bazaar on the 24th ult. So much 
for our Clydeside district for early market 
produce. D- 0. 
Orchids for Amateurs. 
The mistaken idea which generally prevails 
is that the cultivation of Orchids is such a 
luxury that only those plentifully endowed 
with this world’s goods can entertain any 
pretension whatever to cultivate them. How 
different are the actual facts. Orchids can 
be procured at prices that will compare 
reasonably wdth any class of plants procured 
and cultivated by the amateur gardener. It 
is the novelties sought after by enthusiastic 
Orchid specialists that command the high 
prices which become so much lauded in the 
Press. Let us consider for a moment from 
where and how these novelties are procured. 
Take, for example, the lovely cool-house 
Odontoglossum crispum; the varieties sought 
after by enthusiasts of this species are to-day 
realising astounding figures. Hundreds, yea 
thousands, of pounds are being paid for 
unique forms of this plant. 
- Consider for a moment the origin of these 
priceless gems. The plants are imported 
from the United States of Colombia in dried, 
leafless tufts of pseudo-bulbs. These are often 
placed for distribution in the auction rooms; 
in other cases are procurable through the 
usual trade channels, and may be procured 
from a shilling upwards, according to size and 
strength of the plants as well as their condi¬ 
tion when offered. These plants in their im¬ 
ported state defy the most expert judge to 
ascertain what novelty may he contained in 
any one individual plant. Thus it is possible 
that the amateur with his modest outlay may 
procure that one plant of the thousands per¬ 
haps offered that may prove the finest novelty. 
Yet should this prove to be the case we read 
of the novelty and the 1 high price it realised, 
generally altogether overlooking the fact of 
its origin and the initial cost. It is to this 
fact more than to anything else we have to 
attribute the misconception so generally pre¬ 
valent in respect to Orchid culture being such 
an expensive luxury. 
Another contention is that Orchids require 
specially constructed houses in which to grow 
the plants, and that they are so difficult to 
manage that a special knowledge of their 
requirements is essential to their successful 
cultivation: In reply to the first contention 
I would point out that if an amateur was 
putting up a new house, then by all means 
provide every facility possible that may be 
considered desirable for their special require¬ 
ments ; but the fact remains that the house 
that enables one to cultivate the ordinary 
greenhouse Ferns and stove plants provides 
the necessary accommodation for the cultiva¬ 
tion of the cool, intermediate, and hothouse 
classes of Orchids. 
Now for the ability to cultivate. No one is 
successful in the cultivation of any plant 
under artificial conditions provided in our 
greenhouses unless he has some love and in¬ 
terest in the subject he is dealing with, and 
procure from it the particular items of its 
requirements that will enable him to under¬ 
stand something of the constitution of the 
subject he is cultivating. As we vain this 
understanding so our success becomes assured. 
These remarks apply with equal force in the 
cultivation of Orchids. The Horticultural 
Press— The Gardening World especially— 
opens its columns to provide information on 
any particulars in cultural requirements, so 
that facilities are at hand that will afford the 
desired advice through the usual medium to 
all who may seek its aid. In addressing this 
column in future particularly to amateur 
cultivators I trust I may not altogether lose 
the interest of so many of my professional 
brothers, who from time to time have assisted 
so ably in bringing subjects to light which are 
of easy cultivation and suitable for amateur 
cultivators as well as for utility in general 
establishments. H. J. Chap max. 
Fruit Garden. 
Pot Strawberries. —Those standing in cold 
pits or frames have had suitable weather to 
bring forward the fruit, little or no decay 
being noted even where syringing has been 
practised. Watch against the depredations of 
slugs in such structures; and birds ivill.be 
sure to sample them unless a net is placed 
over in good time. Guard against too sodden 
a state of the soil when the fruits are ripe, 
keeping a circulation of air playing amongst 
them at all times. Any still in fruit houses 
should be turned out as sioon as cleared, as 
the bright weather of late has been all in 
favour of red spider. 
Vineries. —There is still much work among 
late Grapes, and before thinning commences 
the lateral growth of the main rod should be 
tied down to the trellis, distributing it as 
nearly as possible over the whole available sur¬ 
face, and pinching sub-laterals at the first 
joint. Choose the best bunches, and remove 
all surplus ones before they have time to draw 
much nutriment from the Vine to the detri¬ 
ment of the crop. Where the bunches are 
evenly distributed, do not allow more than cue 
bunch on a shoot, and where two shoots are 
reserved from one spur, which is sometimes 
necessary, the said bunch will be sufficient. 
Thin out Alicante® within a very few days 
after the flowers are set ; Lady Downes may 
wait a bit longer, as there are sometimes several 
seedless berries among these which cannot 
always be detected for a week or ten days. 
Give Musoat of Alexandria their final thin¬ 
ning, allowing ample space for the swelling of 
the berries, a® these reach a good size where 
the Vines are strong and healthy. Apply 
manurial waterings when necessary, and I 
always make a point of giving the borders a 
soaking as soon as the Vines pass out of flower. 
Mulch the borders with strawy litter or well- 
decayed manure according to the state of the 
Vines, airing quite early in the morning now 
summer weather is with us, increasing it up to 
mid-day with the thermometer reading 80 to 
85 degrees, and close except a chink of air at 
the apex from 3.30 to 4 p.m., with plenty of 
atmospheric moisture until colouring com¬ 
mences, when treat as for early Grapes, given 
a fortnight since. 
Watering fruit borders outside will claim 
attention unless the rain comes before this 
calendar appears in print, as the unusual clear 
sky with drying winds during the month of 
May will have caused wall trees to feel the 
effect of the drought. Either flat hoe or prick 
up the surface with a fork before applying 
water, and, with trees carrying full crops, 
manure water well tempered down should be 
given, or a sprinkling of an approved artificial 
be scattered over the border before pricking 
up, and a mulch applied if not already done. 
On Peach trees out of doors the cry is heard 
that blister or curled leaf is very prevalent, 
and, where such is the case, cut off with a pair 
of scissors the affected parts and bum ; but 
witli warm weather and a thorough syringing 
every other evening the trees ought to grow 
out of this. In our case, little complaint can 
be made on this score, but black aphis has 
