482 
THE GARDENERS’ MAGAZINE. 
JuNB 28, 1913. 
WORK FOR THE WEEK. 
THE ORCHID HOUSES. 
IMPORTED ORCHIDS.—Such species of 
cattleyas as 0. Dowiana, C. D. aurea, and 
C. Warsoewiczi (gfigas) are imported in quan¬ 
tities at this season of the year. The species 
usually arrive in good condition, that is to 
say, the plants reach us with a minimum loss 
of leaves, and the pseudo-bulbs in a normally 
plump condition. Some of the plants, espe¬ 
cially those of C. Warsoewiczi, may even re¬ 
tain their flower sheathe, and may pr<^uce 
flowers later in the season, although it is de¬ 
sirable that they should not be permitted to 
bloom until they have become re-established, 
or at least, made a season’s growth under cul¬ 
tivation. It is desirable to retain the leav^ 
on the plants as long as possible. With this 
end in view, the fact should not be over¬ 
looked that the plants have l^n packed in 
cases for some weeks in transit, and thus in 
darkness. To expose them directly they are 
received to the full effects of our midsummer 
light is liable to have an ill effeet; and this 
will be made apparent by a rapid chang^e of 
colour, which generally ends in the loss of 
some of the foliage thus effected. Care 
therefore is necessary to protect the plants 
for a few weeks from strong light, even if 
they are placed in their receptacles and per¬ 
manently potted. 
POTTING.—^My experience has been that 
shallow pans are the most serviceable 
for the culture of C. aurea, C. Warsoewiczi 
in its varied forms, and the natural hybrid C. 
Hardy ana. These should be well drained 
and the compost used should be of a lasting 
nature. The compost should be pressed mode, 
rately firm. Suitable wires should then be 
affixed so that after the plants have become 
used to the light they may be suspended in 
a position within reasonable distance of the 
roof glass. 
INSECT PESTS.—Before potting it is most 
desirable to cut away all dead and decay¬ 
ing matter about the base, and to thoroughly 
examine for insect pests which may be hidden 
beneath the decaying bracts. The worst 
fear from imported cattleyas is the cattleya 
fly. Previous attaclre on the plants may be 
detected by small perforations and the dis¬ 
figurement of bulbs. Where these are ob¬ 
served it is advisable that the plants should 
be isolated and grown well away from the 
general stock. Later indications of the ap¬ 
pearance of the cattleya fly may be seen in 
the thick, knotty appearance of the base of 
the new growth when an inch or so in length. 
If such growths are cut off and examined, 
the grubs of the fly will be found in different 
stages of development. Where the young 
growths of cattleyas are affected witn this 
pest it is desirable that they should be cut 
clean off the plant and burnt. Although it 
may be disappointing to lose what have appa¬ 
rently been good growths, the consolation re¬ 
mains that there are usually plenty of dor¬ 
mant buds on imported plants, and later 
growths are not generally infested by the 
cattleya fly. 
WATERING.—Imported plants should not 
be very liberally watered, as by carefully 
spraying the plants overhead in warm 
weather they will retain their normal plump 
condition until such time as the new roots 
become established in the potting compost.— 
H. J. Chapman, Oakwood Gardens. 
CONSERVATORY AND GREEN¬ 
HOUSE. 
HUMEA ELEGANS. — This beautiful 
greenhouse plant is now developing its in¬ 
florescence, and, as it requires plenty of head 
room, it may be removed to the conservatory, 
where, apart from its distinct character, the 
scent of its leaves and flowers is always ap¬ 
preciated. The pots are now full of roots, and 
during periods of bright sunshine they must 
be examined frequently for the purpose of 
ascertaining whether they require water, for 
if they suffer from drought they will 
be seriously injured. The flowering season 
may be somewhat delayed, if desired, by plac¬ 
ing the plants on the north side of a high 
wall, and plunging the pots in ashes. 'Shift 
on young plants that have 'been raised this 
season as their requirements demand, but do 
not overpot them, or apply moisture to the 
roots too freply. Keep them moving steadily 
in a cool house, and shade them from bright 
sunshine. 
CHRYSANTHEMUMS.—The final potting 
of these must be accomplished with the least 
possible delay, so that the plants may be 
arranged in their permanent summer quar¬ 
ters. A position must be chosen which is ex¬ 
posed to the sun during the greater part of 
the day, but if somewhat sheltered from 
rough winds it will be an advantage. The 
large-floweiing kinds must be securely tied 
to wires that are supported to stout 
posts. Recently-potted plants must be care¬ 
fully watered till the roots are pushing freely 
in the new soil, and manures must with¬ 
held till they are well rooted. Give the 
plants a vigorous syringing morning and 
evening, and damp the immediate surround¬ 
ings with the aid of the garden hose occa¬ 
sionally, to help keep the atmosphere cool 
during very hot weatiier. Spray the plants 
overhead occasionally with an insecticide to 
keep them free from aphis. The decorative 
kinds should have their pots half plunged in 
ashes, if time will permit. 
LILIUMS SPECIOSUM AND AURATUM. 
—^If these are not already supported with 
stakes they should receive support at once. 
The pots being now full of roots, stimulants 
may be given liberally. A top-dressing of 
some rich soil will also be beneficial. Guard 
against attacks of aphis by spraying with 
insecticide. 
SHADING. — The blinds must be kept 
drawn during the greater part of the day 
in hot weather. This remark may also 
be applied to all houses containing flowering 
plants. The plants must be watered several 
times daily if necessary, and, where practic¬ 
able, the flowers and stages should be 
sprinkled with water occasionally to keep the 
atmosphere cool.—E. Habriss, Lockinge 
Park Gardens. 
HARDY FRUITS. 
APPLES. — The prospect at the present 
time of a good all-round crop is excellent; 
indeed, not for many years have I seen a 
heavier set of fruit, both on orchard and 
bush-grown trees. The latter will need to 
be thinned now that the fruits are large 
enough to enable the cultivator to see which 
are the most likely to attain full size and 
high finish. Thinning the clusters is a 
matter of great importance, and should be 
commenced early by removing the undersized 
and deformed ones first with a pair of grape 
scissors. Then thin the remainder so as to 
leave the crop as evenly distributed as pos¬ 
sible. The quantity to leave on each bush 
should be regulated by the size of the variety 
and the strength of the growth. On no ac¬ 
count should the trees be overcropped, espe¬ 
cially on light land, as this would be entirely 
at the expense of next year’s yield. Do not 
on any account allow the roots to suffer from 
an insufficiency of moisture, and feed liber¬ 
ally with liquid manure if the trees are in 
ne^ of such assistance. This will enable the 
fruits to attain a good size and ensure the 
formation of strong fruit buds by the end of 
the season. These remarks apply also to all 
kinds of fruit trees bearing good crops. De¬ 
stroy caterpillars as they make their appear¬ 
ance on the leaves. A few light syringings 
with a nicotine insecticide followed with cW 
water will do much to rid the trees of the 
pests. 
PEARS.—^The crop of these is very lurhi 
so that very little thinning will be ' 
sary. The trees of most varieties produced 
a profusion of flowers, and looked very pw>. 
mising till we had 10 degrees of fr«t 
that seemed to change matters, and eiuoe 
both flowers and tiny formed fruits dropped 
wholesale. Morello cherries are very eati^ 
factory, and most kinds of soft fruits. Keep 
the leaders of all young trees that hare 
not filled their allotted space neatly secuwd 
to the required position, and on shallow bor¬ 
ders a few good soakings of water will prow 
very helpful in many cases where the growth 
are not over strong. Keep the foliage fiw j 
from red spider, also slug-worm, if such put 
in an appearance; a few syringings with j 
tine insecticide will destroy most kinds of ' 
insects if applied according to directioui 
given on the tins. 
FIGS.—Attend to the young growths of • 
trees trained on walls; lay in the leadon f 
and other shoots required for next yeari 
fruiting. Any superfluous growth should be ^ 
remov^, so that there is no overcrowding of \ 
the wood. A firm rooting medium and ampk i 
extension of the branches is the best for thf j 
production of plenty of figs. Large twos 
will benefit greatly from a few good soak- 
ings of liquid manure and a mulching of d^ 
composed cow manure. Keep late-planirf 
trees well supplied with moisture to asaA 
them to make a free, healthy growth.—H. 
Markham, Wrotham Park Gardens. 
THE KITCHEN CARDEN. 
TOMATOES.—Plants grown in the opei, 
whether trained against walls or fences, or 
fastened to stakes, should be made secure 
against winds. All lateral growths should be 
removed at an early stage. They must wt 
suffer from an insufficiency of water atth' 
roots, otherwise the flowers will not set sai» , 
factorily. When a good set is obtained,! 
place a mulch of decayed manure about 
plants, and supply them with liquid manure 
alternately with clean water. 
SCARLET RUNNER AND CLIMBINO 
FRENCH BEANS. — The rows of plM* 
should receive their stakes before the ^ 
has made much growth. Some short, 
growths introduced between the tell stw 
will form a support to the young bin^ » 
from those they will transfer fkemselTW . 
the stakes. If the land be of 
lay a thick mulch of manure 
of the rows. An abundant supply of wat 
required during dry weather, dryness a 
roots being one cause of the 
ner beans to set their flowers. A good 
ing of the foliage during the evening 
hot days is most beneficial. ^ 
CAREOTS.-A good sowing of 
Model type should no-w be made. 
provide a useful stock of young car ^ 
autumn use, or they may be 
pitted for the winter. A position pr 
occupied by early potatoes is w^l adaptea^ 
the purpose; the land should be ^ ^ 
and levelled. Apply a good ^ 
which should be well raked 
must be in a moist condition i jgit 
occurs, and unless a good w"ater supp 
command it is advisable to wait i ^ 
SAVOY CABBAGE. — 
plants should be transplanted 
weather. The land should. ^ ® yan*' 
rich, and occupy an open position. 
ties grown are dwarf ones, all<>^ 
eighteen inches between the ftV 
inches from plant to plant m tn 
the Drumhead varieties, a 
feet between the rows, and II 1^. 
the plants is a suitable . Tilante ^ 
plant. Water liberally mtil tte p 
well established. i- <jf ^ 
BROAD BEANS. — When ^ ^ 
flowers are set, pinch out tl** teing*^ 
stems to protect the plants dri^^ 
by strong winds; stakes should 
9ft. apart on either side 
ing'string to them.-W. Messenoeb. 
verstone Park Gardens, Ipswicn. 
