140 
August  8,  18^5. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
FRUIT  FORCING. 
Figs. — Early  Forced  Trees  in  Pots. — When  the  second  crop  is 
cleared  examine  the  trees  for  red  spider  and  scale,  as  these  pests  increase 
through  keeping  the  trees  somewhat  drier  at  the  roots,  and  the  drier 
condition  of  the  atmosphere  consequent  on  a  free  circulation  of  air. 
Thus  the  enemies  steal  a  march  whenever  they  get  the  chance,  or 
cannot  well  be  prevented  during  the  ripening  of  the  fruit  ;  therefore, 
when  that  is  cleared  off  the  trees  recourse  must  be  had  to  cleaning,  and 
as  the  foliage  and  wood  are  far  advanced  in  ripening  destructive  agents 
may  be  used  at  a  strength  which  would  not  be  safe  earlier.  If,  there¬ 
fore,  these  pests,  and  especially  scale,  have  made  undesirable  progress, 
syringe  the  trees  with  some  insecticide,  of  which  there  are  many  adver¬ 
tised,  and  all  efficient  when  the  instrucdons  are  strictly  followed.  The 
mixture  may  be  kept  from  saturating  the  soil  by  tying  a  bandful  of  dry 
moss  round  the  stem,  and  then  raising  a  sort  of  pyramid  of  the  same, 
placed  about  the  plant.  Badly  infested  wood  should  be  brushed  to 
dislodge  scale,  and  repeating  the  syringing  in  a  few  days,  afterwards 
sponge  thoroughly  with  the  insecticide  and  cleanse  by  a  thorough 
syringing  with  tepid  water. 
The  trees  will  need  proper  attention  for  watering,  so  as  to  prevent 
the  foliage  becoming  limp,  ventilating  to  the  fullest  extent  day  and 
night,  but  protect  the  trees  from  heavy  rains,  which  have  a  tendency  to 
saturate  the  soil  and  prejudice  the  ripening  of  the  wood.  Placing  trees 
outdoors  is  favourable  to  the  hardening  of  the  wood  if  the  weather  be 
bright  and  dry,  but  if  wet  and  dull  the  air  moisture  causes  growth, 
which  does  not  ripen  well,  and  the  first  crop  fruit  drops  in  consequence. 
Judgment  must,  therefore,  be  exercised  as  to  whether  the  trees  are  kept 
under  glass  or  placed  outdoors.  If  the  latter,  the  position  must  be  sunny, 
the  pots  stood  on  a  layer  of  ashes,  with  similar  material  about  them, 
and  though  the  trees  must  not  suffer  from  dryness,  material  must  be  at 
hand  to  apply  so  as  to  throw  off  heavy  rain,  and  prevent  the  soil 
becoming  sodden.  Whether  kept  under  glass  or  placed  outdoors  they 
cannot  have  too  much  light  and  air,  the  growths  being  fairly  thin  and 
the  points  well  exposed. 
Early  Forced  Planted-out  Pig  Trees. — The  second  crop  now  ripen¬ 
ing  will  need  a  circulation  of  air  constantly,  more,  of  course,  by  day  than 
at  night.  If  dull  weather  prevails  a  gentle  heat  in  the  pipes  makes  a 
difference  in  the  quality  of  the  fruit,  and  prevents  spotting  and  splitting. 
A  little  sulphur  brushed  on  the  flow  pipes  gives  off  fumes  disliked  by 
red  spider  and  spot  fungus.  Watering  at  the  roots  must  be  diminished, 
syringing  over  the  trees  discontinued,  but  a  moderate  air  moisture 
should  be  secured  by  occasionally  damping  the  floor  and  border  for  the 
benefit  of  the  foliage.  If  red  spider  is  present  heat  the  pipes  to  160°,  or 
so  hot  that  the  hand  cannot  endure  the  heat,  and  then  coat  them  with 
a  thin  coat  of  sulphur  and  skim  milk,  keeping  the  house  closed  for  an 
hour  or  two,  then  allow  the  pipes  to  cool  and  admit  air  as  usual.  By 
closely  gathering  the  fruit  syringing  may  be  resorted  to,  but  it  is  a  bad 
expedient,  as  a  free  circulation  of  warm,  rather  dry  air,  is  essential  to 
perfection  in  the  fruit  of  the  Fig  tree,  and  it  acts  beneficially  on  the 
foliage  and  wood. 
Late  or  Unheated  Houses. — Excellent  Figs  are  grown  in  lean-to 
structures  facing  the  south,  ventilating  so  as  to  entrap  and  retain  the 
sun  heat.  Success  also  depends  on  restriction  at  the  roots,  for  these 
allowed  to  ramble  far  and  deep  cater  too  freely,  and  the  trees  are  not 
amenahle  to  control.  Narrow  borders  one-third  the  width  of  the  house 
are  ample,  well  drained,  and  18  inches  to  2  feet  deep.  Calcareous  and 
firm  soil  is  essential.  Where  natural  calcareous  loam  does  not  exist 
old  mortar  rubbish  to  the  extent  of  a  sixth  will  supply  lime  in  a  useful 
form,  or  chalk  with  an  addition  of  gritty  matter,  such  as  road 
scrapings,  in  a  similar  proportion  may  be  used  with  advantage.  Figs 
like  calcareous  gravelly  loams,  preferably  rather  strong,  hence  clay  marl 
is  an  excellent  addition  to  sandy  soils  for  the  growth  of  Figs.  Un¬ 
obstructed  light  and  free  ventilation  are  well  known  principles  in 
seen' ng  Figs  of  the  choicest  description,  careful  attention  being  given 
to  details  of  culture ;  one  of  the  most  important  is  watering  and 
judicious  feeding.  The  growths  must  be  thin  so  as  to  secure  solidified 
wood  through  the  assimilation  of  matter  elaborated  in  the  leaves  fully 
exposed  to  light.  The  finest  fruit  is  had  on  extensions  kept  renewed  by 
cutting  out  worn  out  and  replacing  with  young,  a  moderate  amount  of 
spurs  only  being  allowed.  The  fruit  is  now  advanced  for  ripening, 
therefore  spare  no  pains  in  freeing  of  red  spider  by  syringing  in  the 
morning  and  afternoon.  Admit  a  little  air  early,  increasing  it  with  the 
son  heat,  maintaining  through  the  day  a  temperature  of  80°  to  85°, 
with  free  ventilation,  closing  early  so  as  to  increase  to  90°  or  95°,  and 
when  the  sun  power  is  declining  a  little  air  may  be  admitted  at  the  top 
of  the  house,  so  as  to  allow  the  pent-up  moisture  to  escape  and  tem¬ 
perature  gradually  lowering. 
Water  or  liquid  manure  will  be  required  once  or  twice  a  week, 
according  to  circumstances,  in  order  to  keep  the  soil  properly  moist  and 
supply  nutrition.  When  the  fruit  gives  indications  of  ripening  syringing 
must  cease,  watering  be  gradually  reduced  at  the  roots,  a  circulation  of 
air  secured  constantly,  freely  ventilating  when  favourable,  and  husband¬ 
ing  sun  heat,  not  by  closing,  but  by  lessened  opening  of  the  ventilators, 
as  it  is  a  confined  atmosphere  that  causes  the  fruit  to  crack  or  become 
mouldy,  a  little  ventilation  preventing  the  moisture  condensing. 
Pines. — Prepare  houses  as  they  become  vacant  for  re-occupation.  If 
hot-water  pipes  are  employed  in  furnishing  bottom  heat,  the  bed, 
whether  of  leaves  or  tan,  must  be  removed  at  least  once  a  year,  so  as  to 
replace  the  spent  by  fresh  material  and  get  rid  of  woodlice.  All  brick¬ 
work  should  be  scalded  and  brushed  with  hot  limewash,  the  wood  and 
ironwork  cleansed  with  soap  and  water,  using  a  brush,  and  keeping  the 
soapy  water  from  the  glass  as  much  as  possible,  which  should  be  cleansed 
inside  and  outside  with  water  only.  Chambered  beds,  the  hot- water 
pipes  being  covered  with  slate  or  other  material,  are  much  in  advance  of 
those  surrounded  or  passing  through  beds  of  rubble.  Those  composed  of 
the  latter  may  be  turned  over,  and  any  dirt  or  small  parts  removed, 
re-arranging  the  material  so  that  the  heat  given  oS  by  the  pipes  can 
penetrate  uniformly  through  the  bed.  Provide  fresh  tan  in  other  cases  ; 
if  wet,  turn  it  occasionally  on  fine  sunny  days.  With  hot-water  pipes 
beneath  about  3  feet  depth  is  ample  ;  more  will  be  needed  where  such 
aid  is  not  provided. 
Suckers  started  in  .Tune  will  soon  fill  their  pots  with  roots,  and  must 
be  shifted  into  larger  pots  before  the  roots  become  closely  matted 
together.  Queens  may  have  9  or  10-inch  pots,  and  those  of  stronger 
growth  11-inch  pots.  Water  immediately  after  potting  if  the  soil  be 
dry,  but  it  ought  to  be  neither  that  nor  wet,  but  moist,  then  do  not 
water,  and  plunge  in  a  bed  having  a  temperature  of  90°  to  95°.  There 
is  no  greater  mistake  in  growing  Pines  than  crowding  young  plants. 
The  plants  become  drawn  and  weakly,  instead  of  having  a  sturdy  base. 
Attend  to  the  bottom  heat  of  beds  that  have  recently  been  disturbed  by 
the  removal  of  plants,  not  allowing  the  heat  to  exceed  95°  at  the  base  of 
the  pots  without  immediately  raising  them,  as  too  much  bottom  heat 
will  disastrously  affect  plants  with  fruit  or  those  having  the  pots  filled  ■ 
with  roots.  Examine  the  plants  about  twice  a  week  for  watering,  and 
maintain  a  moist  well-ventilated  atmosphere.  The  climatic  conditions 
are  now  so  favourable  that  Pine  p'ants  grow  luxuriantly  ;  therefore  con¬ 
tinue  any  shading  such  as  may  have  been  employed  for  an  hour  or  two 
at  midday,  when  the  sun  was  powerful.  Admit  air  plentifully  when 
the  temperature  ranges  from  85°  to  95°,  affording  to  fruiting  plants  a 
night  temperature  of  70°  to  75°,  and  succession  65°  to  70°  at  night. 
Reserve  another  batch  of  suckers  on  the  stools  for  starting  at  the  com¬ 
mencement  of  September. 
Cherry  House. — The  buds  are  as  plump  as  they  need  be,  therefore 
undue  excitement  must  be  guarded  against  by  exposing  the  trees  to  the 
influences  of  the  atmosphere  so  far  as  the  house  will  admit,  which  the 
best  means  of  arresting  premature  growth,  to  which  the  Cherry  is  liable 
when  forced  year  after  year  successively.  The  border  must  not  be 
allowed  to  become  parchingly  dry,  but  have  copious  supplies  of  water,  and 
if  the  trees  are  weak  afforded  liquid  manure.  To  subdue  red  spider  give 
an  occasional  washing  with  the  syringe  or  garden  engine.  Black  aphides 
attack  Cherry  trees  ;  keep  an  eye  on  them,  and  whenever  they  appear 
promptly  assail  them  with  tobacco  water.  Trees  in  pots  must  be 
regularly  watered  and  syringed  to  maintain  tbe  foliage  in  good  condition, 
for  though  it  may  not  be  capable  of  much  further  effort  in  elaborating 
sap  and  storing  matter,  it  has  some,  and  it  is  necessary  that  the  leaves 
perform  their  functions  to  the  last. 
Cherry  trees  in  pots  are  the  most  interesting  of  all  fruits  grown  that 
way.  They  offer  such  a  variety,  and  afford  fruit  over  so  long  a  period, 
that  it  is  remarkable  they  are  not  more  commonly  seen .  With  very 
slight  forcing  they  ripen  in  May,  and  afford  a  succession  of  fruit  up  to 
August.  In  a  house  without  heat,  but  light  and  well  ventilated,  ripe 
Cherries  can  be  had  early  in  June,  and  a  succession  with  proper  care 
and  selection  of  varieties  to  late  September.  Early  Rivers,  Empress 
Eugenie,  May  Duke,  Governor  Wood,  Black  Eagle,  Archduke,  Duchesse 
de  Palluau,  and  Emperor  Francis  afford  a  good  succession  of  fruit,  and 
succeed  in  pots. 
THE  KITCHEN  GARDEN. 
Onions. — The  weather  lately  has  been  very  favourable  to  the  spread 
of  mildew,  and  some  quarters  of  Onions  are  completely  overrun  by  this 
insidious  disease.  Its  effect  will  be  to  quite  paralyse  the  growth  of  the 
plant,  and  the  roots  will  fail  to  mature.  A  close  look  out  should  be 
kept  for  the  first  symptoms  of  it,  and  preventive  measures  be  taken  at 
once.  If  a  few  of  the  leaves  are  partially  or  wholly  covered  with  the- 
mildew,  all  badly  infected  plants  should  be  carefully  drawn,  carried 
away,  and  destroyed,  isolated  mildewed  leaves  being  similarly  treated. 
Newly  slaked  lime  is  a  good  fungicide,  and  would  be  made  still  more  so 
by  the  addition  of  ten  parts  of  powderel  sulphate  of  copper  to  ninety 
parts  of  lime.  Give  the  whole  of  the  O  ion  plants  a  thorough  dressing 
with  this,  applying  it  in  the  morning  when  the  dew  is  on  the  leaves. 
If  washed  off  quickly  by  rains  apply  more. 
Sowing  Onion  Seeds. — Early  in  August  (is  the  time  usually  selected 
for  sowing  Onion  seeds,  the  plants  obtained  standing  through  the  winter 
and  maturing  early  the  following  year.  The  Tripoli  section  is,  as  a 
rule,  given  the  preference  for  this  sowing,  but  is  not  any  hardier  than 
the  White  Spanish  types.  Any  Tripolis  grown  this  season  will  not  keep 
later  than  midwinter,  whereas  autumn-sown  Nuneham  Park,  Reading, 
Giant  Zittau,  and  such  like  will  keep  five  months  longer.  Autumn-raised 
Onions  duly  thinned  out  or  transplanted  invariably  mature  earlier  and 
more  surely,  and  are  less  liable  to  be  destroyed  by  the  Onion  maggoc 
than  is  the  case  with  the  Tripoli  section.  The  ground  selected  ought  to 
be  moderately  rich,  and  made  firm  prior  to  sowing. 
Turnips. — There  should  be  no  undue  delay  in  thinning  out  Turnips. 
Directly  they  are  safe  from  slug  and  insect  attacks  thin  out  the  stronger 
/ 
