532 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Jure  21,  1900. 
of  course,  obstacles  that  the  outdoor  ciop  meet  that  are  practically 
unknown  under  glass.  Wasps,  hornets,  and  flies  in  some  seasons  destroy  a 
great  proportion  of  the  crop,  and  they  are  so  persistent  that  it  is  with 
difficulty  their  raids  can  be  suppressed.  Woodlice  give  trouble  where 
nailing  of  the  branches  is  resorted  to,  and  the  walls  are  perforated  with 
holes.  Then  there  is  the  danger  of  spring  frost,  which  sometimes  does 
irreparable  damage.  It  was  proved  last  year  that  the  Peach  flower 
can  endure  much  cold,  as  when  it  appeared  that  flowers  were  ruined  by 
sharp  frosts,  really  good  crops  were  produced.  Fortunately  the  flowering 
season  passed  without  any  damage  being  inflicted  this  j  ear,  and  no 
blister  appeared  despite  the  cold  and  trying  spring. —  W.  S. 
Notes  on  Melons. 
In  most  establishments  there  will  bo  Melons  in  various  stages,  and 
a  few  remarks  on  them  will  probably  be  useful.  Plants  with  the  fruit 
ripening  must  have  a  plentiful  supply  of  air,  and  water  should  be 
withheld  from  the  fruit.  If  the  plants  are  strong  and  there  is  a 
disposition  to  crack,  cut  the  growths  carrying  them  half  through  a  few 
inches  below  the  fruit.  A  dry  atmosphere  is  essential,  and  a 
temperature  of  70°  to  75°  artificially,  falling  about  5°  at  night.  If 
the  sun  be  powerful  place  a  slight  shade  of  some  kind  directly  over 
the  fruit.  Water  need  only  be  given  to  prevent  flagging,  and  a  light 
protection  from  bright  sun  after  a  dull  period  is  a  much  better  way 
of  preventing  flagging  than  heavy  waterings  and  a  close  vitiated 
atmosphere. 
In  the  case  of  plants  swelling  their  fruit,  those  recently  set  should 
have  more  soil  added  to  the  ridges  or  hillocks.  Let  it  be  warm, 
moderately  heavy,  rather  moist,  and  press  it  firmly.  Give  a  thorough 
watering  when  the  fruit  is  the  size  of  an  egg,  and  follow  in  the  course 
of  a  day  or  two  with  liquid  manure,  then  mulch  with  sweetened  horse 
droppings.  Water  will  be  required  about  twice  a  week,  or  only  once  in 
dull  weather,  but  this  is  governed  by  the  borders  to  a  great  extent. 
Eemove  all  fruit  but  three  or  four  on  a  plant,  also  blossoms,  and  afford 
the  needful  support.  Stop  or  remove  laterals,  not  allowing  secondary 
growths  to  interfere  with  the  principal  leaves.  Syringe  twice  daily — 
in  the  afternoon  not  later  than  four  o’clock,  having  the  foliage  fairly 
dry  before  night,  and  sprinkle  the  floor  about  five  or  six  o’clock  with 
weak  liquid  manure,  and  give  a  little  ventilation  at  the  top  of  the  house 
the  last  thing  at  night.  This  will  save  trouble  if  air  is  not  given  early 
in  the  morning.  On  bright  mornings  commence  ventilating  about 
seven  o’clock,  or  at  75°,  and  increase  it  with  the  advancing  sun.  Close 
at  80°  to  85°,  increasing  to  90°,  95°,  or  more.  Fire  heat  will  only  be 
necessary  on  cold  nights  and  in  dull  weather. 
Plants  setting  their  fruit  should  have  the  foliage  disposed  thinly,  so 
that  air  and  light  may  have  free  access.  The  growths  will  then 
be  stout  and  short  jointed,  the  foliage  thick  in  texture,  and  the 
blossom  will  be  proportionately  strong.  Ventilate  constantly,  and,  if 
dull,  have  a  little  warmth  in  the  pipes  to  insure  a  circulation  of  air,  and 
when  the  heat  falls  below  65°  at  night  or  70°  to  75°  in  the  daytime. 
The  soil  must  be  sufficiently  moist  to  prevent  the  leaves  flagging,  and 
only  moderate  moisture  will  be  required  in  the  atmosphere.  To  prevent 
the  deposition  of  moisture  on  the  flowers,  maintain  a  warm  buoyant 
atmosphere.  Fertilise  the  blossoms  about  noon  on  fine  days,  and  when 
several  are  expanded  on  a  plant,  stop  at  one  joint  beyond  the  fruit,  to 
ensure  uniformity  of  swelling. 
Young  plants  for  trellises  should  be  trained  with  one  shoot,  and 
laterals  rubbed  off  up  to  the  first  wire,  and  then  every  alternate 
lateral  on  opposite  sides,  stopping  the  leading  shoots  when  about 
two-thirds  up  the  trellis.  Flowers  ought  to  show  on  the  laterals ;  if 
they  do  not  do  so  at  the  second  joint  stop  at  that.  Plants  for  training 
over  the  bed  should  be  stopped  at  the  second  leaf.  Select  four  of  the 
resultant  shoots,  training  two  to  the  back  and  two  to  the  front  of  the 
frame  or  pit ;  remove  all  others  carefully.  If  only  two  shoots  result 
stop  them  at  the  second  or  third  leaf,  and  make  a  selection  of  the  best 
resulting  growths  for  training.  Keep  the  stem  clear  of  laterals  and 
leaves  for  a  space  of  about  6  inches  from  the  collar.  Remove  every 
alternate  lateral  on  the  shoots,  stopping  the  leaders  when  from  12  to 
15  inches  from  the  sides  of  the  frame.  Let  there  be  no  deficiency  of 
moisture  at  the  roots,  and  add  fresh  soil  to  the  ridges  or  hillocks  as  the 
roots  protrude.  Syringe  at  closing  time,  but  avoid  wetting  the  collar, 
as  it  may  lead  to  canker.  Provide  the  necessary  ventilation  for  insuring 
sturdy  short -jointed  growth.  Put  out  plants  as  pits  and  frames  become 
vacant,  and  if  a  gentle  warmth  at  the  roots  be  afforded  it  will  give  the 
plants  a  start  and  be  all  that  is  necessary.  Close  early  and  keep  the 
growth  well  regulated  not  less  frequently  than  once  a  week.  Shade 
only  to  prevent  flagging. 
A  last  sowing  ot  seeds  for  late  fruit  should  be  made  at  once  for  planting 
in  manure-heated  pits  and  frames.  Plants  from  this  sowing  will  afford 
fruit  at  the  latter  part  of  September,  and  be  useful  if  properly  attended 
to.  Growers  with  command  of  light  well  heated  structures  may 
continue  making  sowings  as  required  until  the  end  of  July.  The  plants 
from  the  last-named  sowing  will  continue  the  supply  up  to  the  beginning 
of  November,  after  which  the  fruit  is  generally  of  moderate  quality. 
— Grower. 
Wistow  [{all. 
Scattered  throughout  the  Midlands  are  many  ancient  castles, 
abbeys,  and  mansions,  around  which  cluster  historical  memories  of 
those  turbulent  times  when  continuous  internecine  strife  sapped  the 
vigour  of  the  nation,  and  delayed  commercial  expansion  till  juster 
laws  and  a  better  form  of  government  prevailed.  In  Wistow  Hall 
there  is  still  a  famous  relic  of  those  far-off  days,  and  the  mansion 
has  the  distinction  of  having  twice  sheltered  a  king.  Charles  I. 
slept  there  on  the  night  preceding  the  battle  of  Naseby,  and  on 
resting  there  after  the  battle  was  compelled  to  beat  a  hasty  retreat. 
The  king’s  attendants  in  their  hurry  placed  the  wrong  saddle  on  his 
charger,  with  the  result  that  the  saddle  and  trappings  used  by  his 
Majesty  at  the  famous  battle  are  still  preserved  in  a  glass  case  at 
Wistow  Hall.  This  relic  was  greatly  prized  by  the  Halford  family, 
whose  ancestors  held  the  estate  before  King  Charles’  period,  the  first 
baronet  being  created  by  Charles  I.  The  estate  is  now  in  the  hands 
of  Mark  Firth,  Esq.,  who,  together  with  Mrs.  Firth,  take  great  interest 
in  gardening,  and  are  continually  making  improvements  in  the  fine,  old 
— but  previously  neglected  gardens — which  surround  their  pleasant 
home. 
Two  Horticultural  Cyclists. 
On  a  fickle  April  day  two  Leicester  horticulturists  resolved  to  leave 
for  a  time  the  bustle  of  that  thriving  Midland  town,  whence  boots 
and  hosiery  find  their  way  to  every  quarter  of  the  globe.  Astride 
those  wonderful  inventions  of  modern  times  the  two  pressed  through 
the  busy  haunts  of  toilers  into  the  sweet  fresh  country  air,  where 
verdant  fields,  and  hedges  in  their  pristine  beauty,  formed  a  gladsome 
picture  of  England’s  charms  in  the  days  of  spring.  “No  need  to  hurry 
on  such  a  day  as  this,”  remarked  No.  2^who,  to  tell  the  truth,  was 
not  in  “  training  ” — and  was  therefore  sometimes  content  to  let  the 
“  leader  ”  go,  and  quietly  follow  at  a  pace  more  suitable  for  thoroughly 
enjoying  the  pleasant  scenes.  Thus  eight  mile^  were  in  due  time 
traversed,  when  a  sharp  turn  in  the  road  and  a  steep  descent  brought 
us  to  the  entrance  of  the  park.  A  glimpse  of  the  white  walla  of  the 
Hall  are  quickly  seen  in  the  distance,  the  tower  of  a  pretty  church 
appears  on  the  opposite  side,  and  then  the  gardens  are  reached,  where 
we  received  a  hearty  welcome  from  Mr.  F.  J.  Clark,  the  head  gardener, 
whose  acquaintance  was  previously  made  at  one  of  those  institutions 
where  so  many  gardeners  meet — viz.,  a  Chrysanthemum  show. 
An  Odd  Corner. 
On  our  way  to  the  kitchen  garden  we  passed  through  an  enclosure 
of  a  type  so  often  met  with  in  old  gardens,  a  kind  of  odd  corner, 
apparently  designed  to  show  an  outline  as  irregular  as  possible,  neither 
circular,  square,  nor  oblong,  but  a  curious  combination  of  arcs  and  angles. 
New  walks  have  recently  been  made  here,  worthless  plants  uprooted, 
and  good  borders  formed  for  herbaceous  plants,  one  of  them,  having  a 
west  aspect,  being  entirely  devoted  to  the  choicer  kinds  of  hardy 
Liliums.  I  venture  to  predict  that  this  border  will  in  its  season  prove 
a  very  great  attraction,  as  Liliums  certainly  rank  among  the  most 
beautiful  and  showy  flowers  we  have.  When  the  borders  are  well  made, 
and  sound  bulbs  obtained,  they  will  go  on  for  years  increasing  in 
strength,  and  forming  fine  large  clumps.  All  gardens  should  have  a 
large  bed  or  border  of  Liliums. 
The  Vegetable  Garden. 
The  kitchen  garden  is  a  fine  one,  being  bounded  on  three  sides  by  high 
walls,  and  on  the  south  side  by  a  low  fence,  which  arrangement  renders 
the  whole  space  open  and  sunny.  In  this  department,  renovation, 
improvements,  and  thorough  culture  are  evidently  being  carried  out 
just  as  opportunities  allow.  Many  old  fruit  trees  with  gnarled  and 
cankered  branches,  which  were  only  cumberers  of  the  ground,  have  been 
uprooted,  to  be  replaced  by  young  ones,  arranged  in  a  regular  fruit 
quarter,  instead  of  on  the  ancient  plan  of  dotting  them  like  sentinels  in 
various  parts  of  the  garden.  The  fame  of  the  Wistow  vegetables  had 
already  reached  my  ears,  the  Lettuces,  Cauliflowers,  Onions,  Leeks,  and 
Celery,  each  in  their  season  having  been  described  to  me  as  giants 
among  the  pigmies  with  which  they  came  in  competition.  I,  therefore, 
naturally  was  on  the  look  out  for  the  cause  of  such  success.  It  is  the 
old  story  of  laying  a  good  foundation  by  means  of  that  deep  and 
thorough  culture  which  the  British  gardener  can  never  afford  to  neglect. 
By  degrees,  the  whole  of  the  garden  is  being  trenched  three  spits  deep, 
and  manure  is  used  with  no  unsparing  hand.  The  gardener  who  does  this 
fears  not  the  drought  of  summer.  Mr.  Clark  has  learned  gardening 
