May  19,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
433 
air  constantly  if  the  weather  permits,  hut  avoid  cold  draughts,  which  are 
almost  fatal  to  success.  They  bring  in  their  wake  aphides  and  the  much* 
dreaded  mildew,  which,  if  once  allowed  to  get  a  footing,  is  very  diilicult 
to  eradicate.  Always  lake  the  precaution,  therefore,  to  allow  no  water  to 
remain  on  the  foliage  after  nightfall.  As  a  remedy  against  mildew 
sulphur  may  be  dusted  on  the  affected  parts  as  soon  as  detected  ;  for 
aphides,  an  occasional  use  of  XL  All  vaporiser  will  suffice  to  keep  them  in 
check.  One  more  enemy  of  the  Kose  which  I  must  not  omit  to  mention 
is  the  Hose  maggot,  which  makes  its  appearance  simultaneously  with  the 
flower  buds,  and  if  not  checked,  will  soon  make  short  work  of  a  whole 
crop  of  flowers.  The  best  remedy  is  hand-picking,  and  a  diligent  search 
twice  a  week  during  the  early  part  of  the  season  will  keep  the  pest 
at  bay. 
The  syringe  can  be  used  lightly  on  bright  mornings  until  the  flowers 
open,  damping  the  available  surfaces  being  sufficient  on  dull  sunless  days. 
As  growth  advances,  thorough  soakings  with  tepid  water  will  be  required, 
and  assistance  in  the  form  of  liquid  manure  will  greatly  enhance  both  the 
size  and  colour  of  flowers  and  foliage.  If  large  blooms  be  required, 
remove  all  buds  except  the  centre  one  at  an  early  stage,  this  being  done 
early  in  the  day  when  the  growths  are  brittle  in  precisely  the  same  manner 
in  which  Chrysanthemum  buds  are  taken.  As  soon  as  a  flower  has  passed 
its  best  it  must  be  removed,  as  nothing  tends  more  to  shorten  the  season 
of  flowering  than  leaving  old  flower  stems  on  the  plants.  This  rule  may 
be  applied  to  all  flowers  with  equal  force. 
So  many  varieties  of  diversified  colour  and  good  habit  are  now  ofiTered 
for  sale  by  our  leading  Hose  growers  that  it  would  bo  unwise  for  me  to 
enumerate  any  varieties  here.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  if  the  selection  is 
left  to  the  nurserymen  they  can  in  most  cases  be  relied  upon  to  supply  a 
succession  of  useful  varieties  at  a  reasonable  price.  From  the  fact  that 
we  have  during  the  last  few  weeks  cut  many  hundreds  of  useful  Hoses  for 
house  and  personal  decoration  it  may  be  inferred  that  their  culture  is 
understood,  and  the  details  given  are  quite  trustworthy. — T.  P. 
HAKDY  FRUIT  GARDEN. 
Apricots,  Peaches,  and  Nectarines. — TMnnmj  Fruit. — A  good  set  of 
fruit  necessitates  a  considerable  amount  of  thinning,  which  should  be 
commenced  early.  The  fruits  of  Apricots  will  be  the  first  to  require 
attention.  Commence  with  the  removal  of  ill-placed  fruit.  Thin-out  the 
smallest  of  the  remaining  fruits  at  intervals,  finally  leaving  the  best  and 
most  prominent  at  a  distance  of  4  inches  apart.  Moorpark  Apricots  and 
similarly  fine  varieties  may  be  left  6  inches  asunder.  Peaches  may  be 
left  10  and  Nectarines  about  8  inches  apart.  Vigorous  trees,  however, 
will  carr}'  a  larger  crop  than  weak  trees.  This  must  be  borne  in  mind 
when  finally  apportioning  the  fruit.  Any  fruits  which  turn  j-ellow  or 
fail  to  swell  freely  are  useless,  and  there  are  numbers  which  it  is  not 
desirable  should  be  retained,  owing  to  their  unsuitable  position  behind 
branches  or  close  to  wires.  These  can  be  clipped  off  as  soon  as  possible. 
Watering. — Should  there  be  any  proDability  of  the  soil  about  the  roots 
being  dry,  it  will  be  desirable  to  apply  a  copious  soaking  of  water.  Trees 
in  foliage  and  swelling  fruit  demand  constant  and  regular  supplies  of 
moisture  for  the  roots,  and  as  the  crop  advances  additional  nourishment, 
which  may  be  afiorded  by  liquid  manure. 
Syringing. — A  good  syringing  of  the  foliage  towards  the  close  of  warm 
days  is  of  material  assistance  in  maintaining  the  trees  clean,  disturbing 
insects,  and  preventing  their  multiplication.  If  green  and  black  aphides 
make  their  appearance,  in  spite  of  daily  vigorous  syringing  with  clear 
water  or  through  neglecting  to  syringe  at  all,  applications  of  soapy  water, 
2  OZ8.  to  the  gallon,  must  be  given.  Strong  insecticides  are  effective 
destroyers  of  insects,  but  they  are  also  liable  to  damage  the  young  fruits, 
hence  their  employment  is  not  so  desirable  early  in  the  season.  The 
advertised  mixtures  upon  the  whole  are  good,  and  save  time  in  prepara¬ 
tion.  but  they  ought  not  to  be  used  stronger  than  advised  by  the  vendors. 
Thinning  and  Regulating  Shoots.  —  There  will  probably  be.  some 
surplus  shoots  requiring  removal  or  thinning  out  to  properly  furnish  the 
trees  and  prevent  overcrowding.  It  is,  therefore,  essential  to  make 
examination  at  intervals,  cutting  out  any  crowded  growths  or  shoots 
unsuitably  placed  for  laying  in,  as  such  may  be  overlooked  in  the  course 
of  di..budding.  This  should  be  considered  supplementary  to  disbudding, 
and  is  better  carried  out  now,  than  allowing  known  useless  shoots  to 
occupy  space  and  crowd  the  trees  for  a  whole  season  to  be  eventually 
removed. 
As  a  rule  each  bearing  shoot  of  Peaches  and  Nectarines,  also  many 
of  those  of  Apricots,  require  a  young  vigorous  growth  at  the  base  to  be 
trained  in  as  a  successional  shoot  for  the  following  year.  These  must  be 
reserved  now,  if  not  fixed  upon  at  the  earlier  disbudding.  One  growth 
above  the  fruit  must  also  be  encouraged.  The  basal  shoot  is  best  if  left 
on  the  upper  side,  carrying  this  out  systematically  if  possible.  Its 
adoption  will  certainly  prevent  crowding,  and  render  the  training  easier. 
Fears. — The  fruit  on  cordons,  pyramids,  and  small  bush  trees  may  be 
obtained  fippp  jf  ^Ijinning  is  practined.  Gradually  re4uce  fruit  to  two 
upon  each  spur.  A  vigorous  syringing  is  a  good  method  of  clearing 
away  dead  petals  and  imperfectly  fertilised  fruits  tailing  to  swell. 
Plums. — A  preliminary  thinning  of  the  bunches  of  fruit  may  bo 
carried  out  with  Plums  on  walls,  the  trees  having  set  a  fair  quantity  of 
fruit.  The  final  thinning  should  be  deferred  until  the  fruits  have  stoned. 
Syringe  the  trees  in  warm  weather  as  an  aid  to  cleanliness,  but  the  points 
of  shoots  attacked  with  aphis  ought  to  be  dipped  in  an  insecticide  or 
dusted  with  tobacco  powder.  The  removal  of  superfluous  shoots  should 
still  be  carried  on.  Some  may  be  required  to  lay-in  for  extension  or 
furnishing,  but  the  lateral  or  foreright  shoots  need  shortening  to  three 
full-sized  leaves. 
Raspberries. — Hoe  down  small  weeds  between  the  rows,  and  fork  or 
pull  up  strong  rooted  weeds.  Superfluous  suckers,  while  yet  compara¬ 
tively  small,  should  be  thinned  out,  so  as  to  leave  plenty  of  space  for 
those  which  are  to  be  permanently  retained.  Suckers  frequently  spring 
up  freely  at  a  distance  from  the  stools.  The  strongest,  if  carefully  lifted 
and  replanted  on  good  ground,  will  soon  bo  established.  Whether  required 
for  planting  or  not,  all  such  suckers  ought  to  be  forked  up,  not  hoed  off 
close  to  the  surface,  as  they  will  grow  again.  On  light  soils,  after  hoeing, 
a  mulching  of  manure  may  be  given. 
General  Hoeing  Fmit  Quarters. — Weeds  are  sure  to  grow  among 
fruit  trees  and  bushes  at  this  season  ;  therefore,  to  keep  them  down  and 
maintain  the  soil  clean,  the  Dutch  hoe  should  be  run  over  the  ground  on 
dry  sunny  days. 
Mulching  Gooseberries  and  Currants. — As  Gooseberries  and  Curranta 
arc  now  swelling  their  crops  of  fruit,  an  application  of  decomposed  manure 
placed  over  the  roots,  and  water  or  liquid  manure  given,  will  assist  largely 
in  affording  the  extra  nourishment  required  for  perfecting  a  crop. 
FRUIT  FORCING. 
Figs. — Early  Forced  Trees  in  Pots. — When  the  first  crop  on  the  very 
early  varieties  is  gathered  return  to  the  treatment  applicable  to  trees 
swelling  their  crops.  If  red  spider  has  gained  a  footing  thoroughly 
cleanse  the  trees  with  some  approved  mixture.  Syringe  the  trees  forcibly 
on  fine  evenings  until  new  growth  is  being  made  freely,  and  in  ordinary 
routine  twice  a  day — in  the  morning  and  early  afternoon.  Where  the 
second  crop  is  thickly  set  thin  liberally,  leaving  the  fruits  nearest  the 
base  of  the  shoots,  and  do  not  overtax  the  trees.  Expose  the  ripening  fruits 
as  much  as  possible,  and  increase  the  ventilation.  Stop  the  shoots  and 
thin  where  crowded,  for  vigorous  sturdy  shoots  produce  the  finest  Figs. 
Planted-out  Trees. — The  earliest  started  trees  have  the  fruit  approaching 
ripeness,  and  must  not  be  wetted,  maintaining  atmospheric  moisture  by 
keeping  the  mulching,  walls,  and  paths  properly  moistened.  Moisture  can 
be  prevented  from  condensing  on  the  fruit  by  keeping  a  steady  circulation  of 
air  with  gentle  fire  heat.  Care  must  be  taken  to  afford  plentiful  supplies 
of  tepid  liquid  manure  to  the  roots.  Allow  the  leading  shoots  now  to 
extend,  unless  unduly  vigorous,  until  they  reach  the  extremity  of  the 
trellis,  then  stop  them. 
Late  Houses. — Though  Figs  are  grown  very  successfully  in  unheated 
houses,  producing  one  crop,  which  affords  an  acceptable  supply  of  fruit 
in  August  and  September,  they  require  in  some  localities  a  genial 
warmth,  especially  the  late  varieties,  such  as  Negro  Largo,  to  ripen 
properly.  The  trees  must  have  copious  supplies  ot  water,  and  be  syringed 
twice  a  day.  In  cloudy  weather,  however,  the  afternoon  syringing  should 
be  dispensed  with.  The  young  growths  in  these  structures  must  be 
trained  a  good  distance  apart,  every  shoot  having  full  exposure  to  light 
and  air,  so  as  to  insure  sturdy  fruitful  wood. 
Vines. — Early  Forced. — Where  the  Grapes  are  ripe,  fire  heat  will  only 
be  necessary  to  keep  the  temperature  at  about  60°  at  night,  ventilating 
freely  by  da^'.  Black  Hamburghs  will  need  slight  shade,  and  it  will  also 
prevent  amber-coloured  Grapes,  such  as  Buckland  Sweetwater,  assuming 
a  brownish  hue.  Damp  the  house  occasionally,  not  allowing  moisture  to 
be  condensed  on  the  berries,  but  dissipate  it  by  early  ventilation.  A  certain 
amount  of  air  moisture  is  necessary  for  the  foliage,  and  it  will  not  injure 
the  Grapes,  provided  the  atmosphere  is  not  stagnant.  A  moderate  extent 
of  lateral  growth  should  be  encouraged,  as  it  tends  to  keep  the  roots 
active,  and  to  prevent  the  premature  ripening  of  the.  foliage,  which  must 
be  kept  clean  and  healthy  as  long  as  possible. 
Vines  Started  at  the  New  Tear. — The  Grapes  are  colouring,  and  need 
a  moderate  amount  of  air  moisture,  damping  the  house  two  or  three  times 
a  day  until  the  colouring  approaches  completion,  when  a  drier  atmosphere 
will  be  advisable.  Free  ventilation  should  be  afforded,  having  a  little  at 
the  top  of  the  house  constantly  ;  a  circulation  of  warm  air  contributes 
to  good  finish  and  quality.  Moisture  at  the  roots  must  be  furnished 
thoroughly  ;  one  good  soaking  of  tepid  liquid  manure  when  the  Grapes 
change  colour,  and  a  mulch  of  partially  decayed  manure,  will  generally 
suffice  until  the  crops  are  ripe.  Keep  the  night  temperature  at  65°,  a 
little  more  on  warm  and  a  few  degrees  less  on  cold  nights,  70°  to  75°  by 
day,  80'  to  90°  with  sun  heat,  and  full  ventilation,  closing  between  these 
numbers  all  but  a  small  space  at  the  top  of  the  house. 
Succession  Houses. — The  sun  is  an  important  factor  in  keeping  down 
the  coal  bill.  There  is  nothing  like  opening  the  ventilators  early  in  the 
morning,  admitting  air  in  a  safe  quantity  to  pass  through  the  house.  It 
causes  moisliire  to  disapi^ear,  allows  the  foliage  and  fruit  to  warm  equally 
with  the  atmosphere,  preventing  scorching,  while  elaboration  begins 
early,  and  is  continued  through  the  day.  By  closing  early  the  crops  are 
accelerated  in  swelling,  provided  there  is  a  due  supply  ot  atmospheric 
moisture,  which  can  be  secured  by  damping  the  paths  and  borders  at 
closing  time.  Before  nightfall  admit  a  little  air  at  the  top  of  the  house, 
damping  with  liquid  manure.  Thinning  the  berries  must  be  attended  to 
and  followed  up  persistently.  Remove  all  surplus  bunches  in  good  time. 
Stop  or  yetpQve  l^tepals  pot  rec|uired|  letting  tbosp  retaiped  p^tep4 
