356 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
April  21,  1898. 
THE  YOUNG  GARDENEHS’  DOMAIN. 
Young  Gaeueners’  Premiums. 
The  above-  was  really  the  gist  of  an  article  by  “Reform”  in  the 
Journal  of  Horticulture  for  March  Ast,  page  290.  I  can  recollect  a  number 
of  places  where  trom  six  to  a  dozen  young  gardeners  are  employed,  and 
in  each  case,  when  a  vacancy  occurs,  and  the  engagement  of  aiv experienced 
hand  seems  desirable,  preference  is  given  to  a  youth  with  a  small  ijremium 
to  fill  it.  “  Reform  "  also  tells  us  that  the  teaching  of  young  gardeners 
is  a  duty  largely  devolving  on  the  foreman.  No  doubt  this  is  so,  but  I  do 
know  of  two  gardeners  who  take  interest  in  their  young  men,  and  who 
endeavour  to  teach  and  assist  them.  However,  I  think  this  premium 
paying  is,  generally  sjieaking,  in  need  of  amendment.— A.  II.,  Staffs. 
Lachenalia  tricolor. 
Lachenalia  tricolor  is  one  of  an  exceedingly  pretty  family  of 
Cape  bulbs  belonging  to  the  order  Liliaceas.  The  dark  green  Orchis¬ 
like  foliage  is  spotted  with  dull  purple,  and  makes  a  grand  contrast  to 
the  handsome  spikes  of  orange,  green,  and  yellow  flowers.  These  plants 
were  thought  a  great  deal  of  formerly,  and  there  are  some  people  who 
still  highly  appreciate  their  beauty.  But  there  are  many  who  are  without 
them,  which  is  a  great  pity,  as  they  are  exceedingly  valuable  grown  in 
5-iiich  pots  cr  baskets  for  early  flowering.  If  the  flowers  are  required  as 
early  as  Christmas  the  bulbs  should  be  potted  in  June  in  a  compost  con¬ 
sisting  of  three  parts  good  loam,  two  parts  leaf  soil,  and  well  decayed 
manure  with  a  little  sand  added.  They  should  be  grown  in  a  cold  frame 
until  about  the  middle  of  October,  when  they  may  be  placed  in  a  moderate 
temperature.  They  do  not  like  much  heat.  If  a  succession  of  flowers  is 
required  a  couple  more  pottings  should  be  made  at  intervals  of  about  three 
weeks.  Water  must  be  gradually  withheld  when  the  foliage  begins  to 
show  signs  of  decay,  and  when  they  have  quite  gone  to  rest  place  them  in 
a  cool  place  until  the  time  for  repotting  comes  round.  If  the  pots  are 
placed  on  their  sides  so  that  no  water  can  enter,  a  very  good  place  to 
keep  them  is  under  the  stage  in  a  cool  house. — S.  S.,  Lochimje. 
A  Grumble. 
“Excelsior,”  on  page  311,  remarks  that  he  was  at  one  time  impressed 
by  the  scarcity  of  the  thoughtful  and  scientific  class  of  gardeners.  Apply 
that  to  the  young  men,  as  a  body,  and  I  agree  with  him.  Since  I  have 
been  foreman  I  have  not  been  favoured  with  a  journeyman  capable  of 
potting  or  watering  plants  in  an  intelligent  manner.  I  have  had  several 
assistants  under  me  who  had  been,  to  my  surprise,  well  recommended. 
There  ought  to  be  some  test  of  ability,  such  as  compulsorj’ examination 
of  young  men  before  they  are  launched  on  the  market  as  journeymen. 
A  number  of  young  men  who  pay  premiums  to  go  into  a  large  garden 
for  three  years,  and  are  then  sent  out  to  take  charge  of  a  range  of  glass, 
are  unequal  to  the  duties  involved.  My  experience  of  several  of  them  is 
that  they  are  better  suited  to  serve  behind  a  shop  counter  than  to  work 
in  a  garden,  where  they  seem  to  dread  the  soiling  of  their  hands.  It  is 
not  such  men  who  are  required  in  a  garden,  but  men  not  afraid  of  work, 
either  rough  or  otherwise.  Doubtless  these  remarks  will  raise  the  ire 
of  some  of  the  dandies  if  by  chance  they  find  time  after  the  perusal  of 
“Sporting  Life”  to  look  into  the  pages  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture. 
I  am  proud  of  some  of  the  more  promising,  like  “Semper,”  “Excelsior,” 
and  “  Nil  Desperandum,”  and  should  like  to  see  more  follow  their  example, 
while  if  I  had  an  equally  able  pen  I  would  endeavour  to  do  likewise. — 
Grumbler, 
[Why  is  not  the  pen  of  this  good  “grumbler”  equal  to  those  of  others 
that  he  seems  to  envy  ’?  Is  it  not  his  own  fault  ?  Without  doubting 
his  zeal  and  usefulness  in  the  garden,  he  has  much  to  learn  educationally, 
and  should  learn  it  before  he  can  hope  to  win  a  high  position  by  the  test 
he  proposes  (examination)  in  the  ranks  of  accomplished  British  gardeners. 
Absolutely  as  the  result  of  perseverance  and  success  in  self  education, 
not  unconnected  with  the  Journal  of  Horticulture,  a  particularly  able 
gardener  has  just  received  a  valuable  Government  appointment;  but 
however  skilful  as  a  workman,  that  alone  could  not  have  secured  him  the 
position.] 
Northumbrian  Wild  Ebrns. 
Wild  Ferns  grow  in  great  abundance  in  the  Northumbrian  moors, 
crags,  and  woods,  and  in  summer  it  is  a  pleasure  to  go  out  hunting  for 
specimens.  The  Brake  Fern  (Pteris  aquilina)  the  only  British  species, 
is  very  common,  often  attaining  the  height  of  3  to  4  feet.  The  plants 
look  very  beautiful  in  summer,  until  the  frost  comes  and  cuts  them  down. 
The  roots  are  long  and  strong,  sometimes  penetrating  as  far  as  6  feet 
down  in  the  ground.  The  Male  Fern  (Lastrea  Filix-mas)  is  called  by  this 
name  because  of  the  robust  appearance  of  the  plants.  The  fronds  are 
densely  scaly,  and  grow  from  the  centre  of  the  tuft  to  the  height  of  3  feet, 
broadly  lance-shaped.  In  a  sheltered  position  they  remain  green  all  the 
winter,  and  are  very  useful  for  rockery  work.  The  prickly-toothed 
Buckler  (Lastrea  dilatata),  more  spreading  in  habit  and  of  a  smaller 
form,  is  plentiful.  In  the  shade  of  the  wood  is  to  be  found  L.  montana 
sparingly.  The  fronds  are  from  8  inches  to  1  foot  in  height.  It  has  a 
pleasing  effect  in  garden  rockworks,  and  enjoys  a  moist  shady  position. 
The  Hay-scented  Fern  (L.  oemula)  is  of  moderate  size  and  drooping 
habit.  The  plants  are  rare  in  some  districts,  while  L.  spinulosa  is 
plentiful,  and  known  by  its  red-coloured  stem.  The  Lady  Fern  (Athyrium 
Filix-foemina)  is  to  be  found  wherever  you  go,  and  makes  a  good 
companion  for  the  Male  Fern. 
The  hunter  in  his  search  for  the  Moonwort  (Botrychium  lunaria)  has 
to  look  very  carefully  amongst  the  short  grass,  for  being  of  the  same 
colour  it  is  rather  difficult  to  find,  as  it  is  so  small.  It  is  easily  known  by 
the  two  distinct  fronds,  one  of  them  being  fertile,  and  grows  between 
2  and  3  inches  high.  The  Adder’s-tongue  (Ophioglossum  vulgatum) 
resembles  the  Moonwort,  and  is  often  found  in  a  damp  field,  growing  to  the 
height  of  4  inches  ;  it  is  easily  cultivated  in  pots  or  shady  parts  of  the 
garden.  The  Wall  Rue  (Asplenium  Ruta-muraria)  is  a  Fern  of  dwarf 
habit,  to  be  found  growing  in  old  walls  and  locks.  The  largest  fronds  I 
have  seen  are  about  3  inches  long.  In  one  place  I  saw  a  w’all  about 
80  feet  long  and  7  feet  high  completely  covered  with  this  distinct  Fern. 
Asplenium  Trichomancs  or  Maidenhair  Spleenwort  is  a  pretty  little  Fern, 
known  by  its  dark  stem.  I  have  not  seen  much  of  the  Green  Spleenwort 
(A.  viride),  the  few  found  on  the  rocks  being  only  4  inches  high.  Asplenium 
marinum,  an  attractive  evergreen  Fern,  is  also  found  on  rocks  on  the 
coast ;  the  fronds  are  from  4  to  6  inches  in  length.  It  is  not  very 
plentiful,  as  the  visitors  make  a  point  of  taking  the  roots  away.  Another 
of  our  evergreen  Aspleniums  is  the  A.  Adiantum  nigrum  ;  when  found!  i 
old  walls  and  rocks  the  fronds  are  from  3  to  4  inches  in  length,  but  in 
shady  hedgebank  they  are  a  foot  in  length. 
The  vSealy  Spleenwort  (Ceterach  officinarum)  is  a  dwarf,  distinct 
looking,  but  pretty  Fern ;  the  fronds  are  thick  and  fleshy,  the  upper 
surface  rich  green,  while  the  under  surface  is  covered  with  rust-coloured 
scales.  It  is  rare  ;  I  have  only  met  with  it  once,  ana  tnere  are  only  about 
three  plants  to  be  seen  ;  the  fronds  did  not  exceed  more  than  3  inches  in 
length.  The  Hart's-tongue  (Scolopendrium  vulgare)  is  a  very  common 
plant,  and  its  shining  bright  fronds  contrast  boldly  with  the  feathery 
aspect  of  the  more  common  Ferns.  It  inhabits  old  walls  and  woods. 
Blechnum  Spicant,  or  common  Hard  Fern,  is  one  of  our  native  kinds, 
which  produces  both  fertile  and  barren  fronds.  The  Bladder  Fern 
(Cystopteris  fragilis)  grows  from  4  to  6  inches  in  height.  Polystichum 
lonchitis  is  represen. ed,  while  P.  angulare  and  P.  aculeatum  are  found  in 
abundance.  AllosOrus  crispus,  or  Parsley  Fern,  is  abundant  on  the  Cheviot 
Hills  ;  Pol3’podium  vulgare,  growing  on  crags  and  mossy  banks,  is  well 
distributed  over  the  county  ;  while  Polypodium  phegopteris  and 
P.  dryopteris  are  rare,  though  found  in  a  few  localities. — PONICA. 
HARDY'  FRUIT  GARDEN. 
Disbudding  Apricots,  Peaches,  and  Nectarines.— Frequent  and  light 
removals  of  ill-placed  and  other  superfluous  shoots  is  necessary  at  the 
present  time  in  following  the  best  and  most  approved  system  of  manage¬ 
ment.  The  operation  is  carried  out  gradually,  so  that  no  severe  check  is 
given  to  the  trees  by  the  sudden  removal  of  a  large  quantity  at  one  time. 
The  weather,  as  well  as  the  condition  of  the  growths,  governs  to  some 
extent  how  disbudding  should  be  carried  out. 
During  a  cold  period  very  little  progress  is  made  by  even  the  most 
forward  shoots,  and  disbudding  may,  as  a  rule,  be  discontinued  until  a 
warm  period  again  sets  in.  On  well  trained  trees  the  shoots  which  are 
required  to  be  left  for  furnishing  are  those  best  placed  in  all  instances, 
whether  on  the  upper  side  of  branches,  or  situated  on  the  front.  The 
shoots  on  the  under  side  may,  generally  speaking,  be  considered  superfluous, 
while  growths  at  the  back  of  branches  and  near  to  the  wall  or  fence  are 
obviously  ill  placed  for  training.  Of  those  which  are  properly  placed  a 
rigid  selection  of  the  best  must  be  made,  so  as  to  prevent  overcrowding  in 
the  immediate  future,  when  the  growths  have  advanced  and  [the  foliage 
enlarged. 
The  main  objects  of  disbudding  trees  on  walls'are  to  prevent  over¬ 
crowding  and  an  undue  strain  upon  the  trees,  to  tolerate  no 
inconveniently  placed  shoots,  and  to  provide  a  similar  number  of  suc¬ 
cession  growths  for  taking  the  place  of  the  present  season’s  bearing 
shoots,  which  will  subsequently  bo  removed.  In  disbudding  rub  or  cut 
off  the  strongest  first,  and  as  those  are  usually  situated  in  the  upper 
parts  of  the  branches,  commence  in  those  positions,  first  dispensing  with 
the  shoots  behind  the  branches,  then  the  most  awkwardly  placed  in  other 
parts,  finally  thinning  out  the  rest.  With  Apricots  a  few  of  the  best  fore¬ 
right  shr'ots  may  be  shortened  to  three  leaves  for  forming  spurs.  Peaches 
and  Nectarines  bear,  as  a  rule,  best  on  well-ripened  young  wood  of  the 
previous  year.  The  fruit-bearing  shoots  must  have  careful  attention, 
securing  for  each  a  succession  shoot  at  the  base,  and  a  leader  at  the 
extremity,  the  latter  for  attracting  sap  to  the  fruit. 
Disbudding  Plums  and  Cherries. — Special  attention  ought  to  be  given 
to  young  trees,  as  they  make  numerous  and  strong  growths,  which  must 
be  thinned  and  regulated  in  good  time,  in  order  that  a  proper  foundation 
and  shape  may  be  laid.  Plums  to  be  and  continue  fruitful  require  to  be 
renewed  frequently  with  young  growths,  which  bear  freely  when  two 
years  old  :  therefore  shoots  and  branches  above  that  age  on  walls  may 
annually  be  cut  out,  their  place  being  taken  with  young  extensions. 
When  Cherries  bear  well  on  spurs  it  is  advisable  to  encourage  this 
system,  but  failing  to  do  this  a  judicious  annual  laying  in  of  young  wood 
may  produce  more  satisfactory  results.  Disbud  Morello  Cherries 
similarly  to  Peaches  and  Nectarines,  though  a  larger  number  of  growths 
may  be  retained. 
Disbudding  Apples  and  Pears..  —  Established  trees  trained  on 
walls  may  be  disbudded  freely  in  order  to  reduce  the  usually  large  number 
