June  9,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
489 
positions.  Allow  a  continuation  of  growth  above  the  fruit  on  bearing 
shoots  to  attract  sap  thereto,  but  pinch  at  the  third  leaf,  and  resulting 
growths  afterwards  at  the  first  leaf.  Foreright  shoots,  which  are  neither 
well  placed  for  laying  in  nor  desirable  to  retain  to  form  spurs  by 
shortening  to  the  third  leaf,  may  be  cut  out  entirely. 
Outdoor  vines. — Reduce  the  number  of  shoots  for  which  room  is  not 
available.  Some  eyes  push  two  growths  ;  one  must  be  discarded,  choosing 
the  weaker,  or  that  which  is  fruitless.  Also  remove  any  others  which 
may  be  unsuitably  placed.  Shoots  which  have  advanced  in  length  must 
be  carefully  tied  in  position.  Stop  all  that  are  ready  two  joints  beyond 
the  bunches  of  fruit.  Bare  spaces  may  be  filled  by  allowing  suitable 
growths  to  extend  until  the  limit  is  reached,  when  they  should  be  stopped. 
Pinch  the  resulting  growths  at  the  first  leaf.  Allow  only  one  bunch  on 
each  shoot. 
Gooseberries  and  Currants  on  Walls  — When  trained  on  walls  or 
trellises  as  upright  cordons  the  side  growths  will  require  to  be  pinched 
back  to  two  pairs  of  leaves,  and  as  soon  as  the  lower  pairs  have  attained 
full  size  ;  the  operation  may  be  carried  out  at  short  intervals.  Where  the 
number  of  growths  is  likely  to  cause  overcrowding  the  weakest  may  be 
cut  out,  including  those  growing  towards  the  wall.  If  the  cordons  have 
not  reached  the  limit  of  space,  train  in  the  leading  growths  at  full 
length. 
Should  the  soil  become  dry,  as  it  is  likely  to  do  at  the  base  of  walls,  a 
copious  watering  will  act  beneficially,  not  only  in  affording  assistance  to 
the  fruit  swelling,  but  in  preventing  the  attacks  of  insects,  red  spider 
being  prevalent  in  many  instances,  also  green  and  black  fly.  Following 
the  applications  of  clear  water  liquid  manure  may  be  freely  used  to  well- 
cropped  trees.  A  liberal  mulching  of  some  material,  preferably  manure, 
over  the  roots,  will  greatly  assist  in  retaining  the  moisture,  rendering 
watering  less  frequently  necessary. 
Training  Newly  Planted  Trees. — Under  favourable  conditions  newly 
planted  trees  will  now  make  new  wood  freely.  With  those  on  walls 
the  growths  must  be  regulated  and  secured  as  they  extend,  giving- 
each  branch  and  shoot  liberal  space.  Trees  and  bushes  in  the  open 
require  attention  more  in  the  way  of  cutting  out  unsuitable  growths,  so 
that  the  best  situated  may  have  full  scope  to  develop.  Gross  shoots 
should  be  rubbed  or  cut  out,  only  retaining  wood  of  medium  strength  for 
permanent  furnishing. 
FRUIT  FORCING. 
Figs. — Early  Forced  Trees.  —  When  the  first  crops  are  gathered 
generous  treatment  will  be  needed  to  enable  the  trees  to  swell  the  second. 
Syringe  twice  a  day  to  keep  red  spider  in  check,  and  afford  liquid 
manure  when  watering  is  necessary.  The  second  crop  should  be  thinned 
before  the  fruit  is  the  size  of  Walnuts,  and  in  doing  so  reserve  the  largest 
fruits  at  the  base  of  the  shoots.  Mulch  trees  in  pots  with  rich  material. 
Succession  Houses. — When  the  fruit  commences  ripening  a  free  circula¬ 
tion  of  warm  dry  air  should  be  afforded,  which  is  essential  to  high 
quality,  not  less  so  being  the  tying-in  and  regulating  of  the  shoots  by 
thinning  and  stopping,  so  as  to  afford  the  fruit  the  benefit  of  all  the  light 
possible.  The  moisture  in  the  atmosphere  will  need  to  be  moderated,  not 
wetting  the  fruit. 
Young  Trees  in  Pots  for  Next  Year's  Early  Forcing, — The  trees  must 
not  be  neglected,  or  disappointment  is  inevitable.  They  must  have  all  the 
light  possible,  and  be  kept  as  near  the  glass  as  practicable  without 
touching,  so  as  to  secure  sturdy,  well-ripened  growths,  keeping  these 
clean  by  syringing.  The  growth  being  completed  the  trees  may  be  stood 
outdoors  to  induce  rest,  but  the  wood  must  be  well  ripened  previously. 
Peaches  and  Nectarines. — Earliest  House. — When  the  fruit  is  all 
gathered  from  individual  trees,  the  wood  on  which  it  has  been  produced 
should  be  cut  away  to  the  shoot  at  the  base,  which  is  to  afford  the  bearing 
wood  for  next  season.  All  growths  not  absolutely  necessary  for  bearing 
next  season,  or  for  the  extension  of  the  trees,  must  be  removed,  as  it  is 
important  the  foliage  be  fully  exposed  to  light  and  air.  Employ  the 
syringe  freely,  keep  the  inside  borders  well  watered,  and  the  outside 
border  must  not  be  neglected  if  the  weather  be  dry.  Admit  all  the  air 
possible,  and  when  the  buds  are  plump,  and  the  wood  thoroughly  ripened, 
the  roof-lights,  where  movable,  may  be  taken  ofif. 
Trees  Ripening  their  Fruit. — Syringing  must  cease  directly  the  fruit 
commences  to  soften  for  ripening.  Do  not  allow  the  soil  to  become  dry, 
but  supply  water  as  reiquired.  A  mulching  of  short  spent  material  is 
very  useful  in  preventing  the  surface  cracking  and  the  roots  going  down 
in  quest  of  moisture.  Ventilate  freely,  leaving  a  little  air  on  constantly, 
and  to  insure  the  preservation  of  the  foliage  in  good  health  sprinkle  the 
paths,  borders,  and  similar  surfaces  in  the  morning  and  afternoon.  Some 
netting  suspended  beneath  the  trees  is  useful  to  prevent  falling  fruits 
being  bruised.  In  gathering  the  fruit  great  care  is  necessary,  as  slight 
pressure  is  sufficient  to  spoil  the  appearance.  Gather  fruit  for  packing 
before  it  is  quite  ripe. 
Trees  Swelling  their  Fruit. — After  the  fruit  has  stoned,  and  takes  the 
last  swelling,  give  every  attention  to  the  trees  in  watering  with  liquid 
manure,  or,  when  the  soil  is  moist,  supply  a  fertilising  top-dressing. 
A  mulching  of  short  spent  manure  will  keep  the  surface  moist  and 
encourage  the  roots  there.  The  shoots  should  be  allowed  to  extend,  not 
pinching  the  laterals  in  too  closely,  but  they  must  be  prevented  shading 
the  fruit,  which  should  be  raised  with  its  apex  to  the  fullest  light. 
Continue  forcible  syringings  in  the  morning  and  afternoon  until  the 
fruit  begins  ripening,  but  never  allow  the  border  and  other  surfaces  to 
become  parchingly  dry.  The  foregoing  applies  to  trees  that  have  been 
brought  forward  gently  since  January,  and  in  consequence  will  ripen 
their  fruit  a  month  later  than  those  started  at  the  same  time  and  brought 
forward  as  rapidly  as  is  consistent  with  ripening  their  crops. 
Trees  Started  in  January. — The  fruit  having  made  saiistactory  progress 
is  now  stoning,  having  attained  a  good  size.  To  continue  the  fruit  in 
steady  progress  and  insure  its  stoning  satisfactorily  there  must  be  no 
deficiency  of  moisture  at  the  roots,  and  the  foliage  must  be  kept  clean  by 
daily  syringings.  Continue  the  temperature  at  60’’  to  65°  artificially,  with 
a  free  circulation  of  air  allowed  dietween  70°  and  75°,  having  it  full  when 
the  latter  is  reached,  and  close  at  75°,  with  plenty  of  atmospheric 
moisture.  If  the  temperature  rise  to  80°  or  85°  it  will  not  do  any  harm, 
but  admit  a  little  air  after  nightfall,  so  as  to  allow  pent-up  moisture  to 
escape,  and  the  temperature  to  gradually  cool  through  the  night. 
Commence  increasing  the  ventilation  with  the  advancing  heat  from  65°. 
Late  Houses. — If  it  is  desired  to  retard  the  fruit  in  any  of  these,  it  is 
best  effected  by  a  freer  and  more  lengthened  ventilation  during  the  day 
and  even  at  night  when  mild.  It  is  necessary  not  to  overburden  the 
trees  with  more  fruit  in  the  early  stages  of  growth  than  can  remain 
for  the  crop,  therefore  thin  well,  but  judiciously.  Keep  the  trees  well 
syringed,  and  mulch  lightly,  so  as  to  keep  the  surface  moist,  giving 
thorough  applications  of  water  when  necessary,  and  if  the  trees  are 
weak  or  heavily  burdened  with  fruit  afford  top-dressings  or  liquid 
manure. 
w. 
m  BDE-KEBPER 
r-i— I— r  .i-i-i.i-i.T 
The  Weather. 
The  past  month  has  not  been  favourable  for  bee-keeping.  The 
many  changes  and  the  low  temperature,  which  on  several  occasions 
kept  the  bees  confined  to  their  hive,  have  been  against  them.  There 
were  twenty-one  rainy  days,  and  2‘21  inches  rainfall  was  registered. 
The  present  outlook  is  dull  and  gloomy,  and  with  the  advent  of  June 
cold  showers  of  sleet,  hail,  and  rain  are  of  frequent  occurrence;  a  low 
temperature,  too,  prevents  the  bees  obtaining  sufficient  for  their  daily 
requirements. 
It  is  therefore  not  surprising  to  hear  of  various  stocks  actually 
dying  from  starvation.  A  bee-keeper,  who  keeps  numerous  stocks  of 
bees  in  straw  skeps,  says,  “During  the  past  lew  weeks  I  have  lost 
five  stocks  of  bees.  During  early  spring  they  appeared  to  be  strong 
in  bees,  and  as  the  winter  had  been  mild  no  further  notice  was  taken  of 
them,  but  after  being  confined  to  their  hives  for  a  few  days  I  observed 
a  great  number  of  live  bees  on  the  floor  board  so  weak  that  they 
were  unable  to  crawl  back  into  their  hive.  On  turning  up  the  skeps  I 
found  the  remaining  bees  all  in  the  same  state,  and  absolutely  without 
food.”  We  advised  hot  bricks  to  be  placed  round  the  skep,  and  the 
whole  covered  up  warm ;  the  bees  would  then  cluster  into  the  combs, 
be  sprinkled  with  thin  warm  syrup,  which  they  would  at  once  take, 
and  if  fed  regularly  would  eventually  develop  into  a  strong  colony. 
The  above  came  under  our  personal  inspection,  and  illustrates  the 
necessity  of  keeping  all  stocks  supplied  with  stores  during  inclement 
weather,  at  whatever  season  it  may  come. 
Preparing  for  a  Sorplus-. 
It  is  impossible  to  predict  with  any  degree  of  certainty  as  to 
the  amount  of  surplus  likely  to  be  obtained  during  the  coming 
season;  but  whether  little  or  much  is  securerl,  the  same  preparations 
have  to  be  made  beforehand.  It  is  from  fruit  trees,  field  Beans,  and 
field  flowers  we  generally  obtain  our  first  surplus  ot  honey,  and  as, 
has  been  so  often  explained,  unless  the  stocks  are  strong  and  crowded 
with  bees,  there  will  be  only  sufficient  stored  for  their  daily  require¬ 
ments.  But  if  the  colonies  intended  for  honey  production  are  full  to 
overflowing  with  bees  they  will  store  a  surplus  on  the  first  favourable 
occasion.  This  fact  should  always  be  kept  in  mind,  and  it  is  en¬ 
couraging  to  receive  confirmation  of  -what  is  being  done  in  various 
parts  of  the  country  by  readers  of  the  Journal.  One  writes,  “  All  my 
stocks  are  strong  and  in  capital  condition,  and  something  will  have 
to  be  done  to  prevent  them  swarming  ;  and  as  I  do  not  wish  to  make 
any  increase  in  numbers  I  am  getting  my  supers  ready,  which  will  all 
be  placed  on  the  hives  before  the  middle  of  the  month.  As  there  is 
such  a  wealth  of  flowers  in  all  directions  I  anticipate  an  early  crop  of 
honey,”  As  the  writer  of  the  above  resides  in  an  early  district  we 
hope  his  anticipations  will  be  realised. 
Enlarging  the  Brood  Nest. 
The  state  of  the  weather  and  the  condition  of  the  stocks  must 
be  taken  into  consideration  before  the  brood  nest  is  interfered  with. 
If  the  weather  is  warm  and  there  is  a  prospect  of  its  continuing,  an 
extra  frame  of  fully  drawn  out  comb  or  foundation  may  be  given 
them  in  advance  of  their  requirements.  The  bees  will  at  once 
commence  cleaning  it  out.  If  the  combs  have  been  used  before,  or  if 
the  foundation  be  new,  the  cells  will  be  drawn  out  in  readiness  for 
brood  or  honey. 
During  hot  weather  the  bees  will  gradually  spread  themselves  over 
the  combs.  In  some  extra  large  hives  we  have  in  use,  in  which  there 
are  several  combs  placed  behind  the  division  board,  the  bees  will  be 
found  on  all  favourable  days  busy  cleaning  away  the  debris,  and  other- 
