Januar  23,  1896. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER 
83 
carefully  pruned  and  the  trees  planted  several  feet  further  back  from 
the  walk. 
Mr.  Crasp  has  previouslv  gained  great  credit  in  another  place  for 
transplanting  large  trees.  The  experience  obtained  there  will  no  doubt 
stand  him  in  good  need  here.  I  see  he  has  taken  the  precaution  to  wrap 
all  the  stems  round  with  straw  ropes,  and  each  tree  is  securely  fastened 
by  several  stakes. 
In  the  houses  I  noticed  a  few  fine  bunches  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria 
Grapes  still  hanging,  and  some  magnificent  examples  of  Grosse 
Guillaume  ;  the  latter  especially  would  grace  any  exhibition  table.  The 
earliest  Vines  and  Peach  houses  are  already  started,  and  the  others  are 
all  cleaned  and  ready  for  their  turn. 
A  fine,  healthy  stock  of  about  700  Carnation  Souvenir  de  la  Mal- 
maison  has  been  worked  up.  As  is  well  known,  this  grower  secured  the 
gold  medal  at  Earl’s  Court  a  few  years  since  for  his  fine  display  of 
this  noble  flower,  and  apparently  he  means  to  keep  himself  to  the  front 
with  it. 
The  first  week  in  the  year  is  not  the  time  to  see  a  garden  at  its  best, 
but  in  one  stove  house  there  was  a  gorgeous  display  of  Crotons  of  many 
varieties  grown  principally  for  table  decoration,  Dracaenas,  Pandanus 
Veitchi,  and  many  other  foliage ;  intermixed  amongst  them  was  a 
large  number  of  Poinsettias,  with  their  showy  bracts  and  the  graceful 
sprays  of  Euphorbia  jacquiniaeflora. 
In  other  houses  are  grown  in  quantities  Bouvardias,  Primulas,  Lily 
of  the  Valley,  Calanthe  Veitchi,  and  Roman  Hyacinths  to  supply  the 
demand  for  cut  blooms.  A  long  pit  is  planted  with  Gardenias,  all 
having  the  appearance  of  robust  health,  and  able  to  bear  quantities  of 
bloom,  their  great  enemy  mealy  bug  not  being  seen  amongst  them. 
In  one  of  the  conservatories  is  now  in  full  bloom  a  fine  specimen 
<t  Rhododendron  argenteum.  It  has  been  planted  about  twenty-four 
years,  and  has  a  height  of  15  feet  by  18  feet  in  diameter.  It  would  have 
been  much  higher,  but  has  been  topped  several  times  to  keep  it  from 
touching  the  roof  of  the  house.  At  the  present  time  it  has  scores  of 
trusses  of  its  beautiful  flowers  fully  expanded. 
Mushrooms  are  amongst  the  many  things  in  these  gardens  which  are 
well  done.  In  every  available  shed,  heated  or  unheated,  the  beds  are 
seen  in  every  stage,  from  the  newly  spawned  to  the  older  ones  in  full 
bearing,  quite  equal  to  the  advertisements  of  sj  awn,  thought  by  many 
people  to  be  exaggerated . 
In  the  grounds  is  to  be  seen  a  fine  Hemlock  Spruce,  whose  branches 
sweep  down  to  the  ground,  and  have  a  circumference  of  85  yards, 
making  a  conspicuous  object  on  the  lawn.  —  R.  Scott,  Carlton , 
Worksop. 
FRUIT  FORCING. 
Pines. — Plants  for  Early  Simmer  Fruiting. — The  plants  which 
completed  their  growth  early  last  autumn,  and  have  been  treated  as 
advised,  so  as  to  push  fruit  early  in  the  year,  will  now  be  doing  so  ;  if 
not,  they  must  be  accelerated  by  extra  care  and  attention,  which  will 
be  fully  repaid  by  the  fruit  ripening  at  a  time  when  it  is  most  in  request 
for  parties  during  what  is  known  as  the  London  season,  good  Enville 
and  Queens,  with  neat  crowns  and  good  colour,  being  appreciated. 
Take  every  advantage,  therefore,  of  suitable  weather  to  afford  increased 
heat  during  the  day.  Allow  the  temperature  to  rise  to  80°  before 
giving  air,  then,  with  moderate  ventilation,  let  it  rise  to  85°  or  90°, 
closing  at  85°,  the  night  temperature  being  gradually  raised  to  70°  and 
75°  by  day  by  artificial  means,  unless  the  weather  be  dull  and  cold, 
when  5°  less  will  be  more  suitable.  The  moisture  will  need  to  be 
increased  correspondingly  with  the  temperature,  but  do  not  syringe  the 
plants  or  the  hot-water  pipes,  yet  maintain  a  genial  condition  of  the 
atmosphere  by  damping  unheated  surfaces  two  or  three  times  a  day. 
Keep  the  bottom  heat  steady  at  85°  to  90°  for  Queens,  other  varieties 
about  5°  less,  Look  the  plants  over  once  a  week  for  watering,  and  when 
they  need  a  supply  afford  weak  liquid  manure,  such  as  1  lb.  guano  to 
20  gallons  of  water,  at  the  same  temperature  as  the  plunging  material. 
Fruiting  Plants. — Ordinary  fruiting  plants  should  have  a  tempera¬ 
ture  at  night  60°  to  65°,  65°  by  day  in  dull  cold  weather,  70°  to  75°  in 
mild,  with  a  little  sun,  ventilating  at  75°,  allowing  an  advance  to  80° 
with  sun,  at  which  close  the  house,  sprinkling  the  paths  and  walls  at 
the  same  time. 
Succession  Plants. — Sufficient  heat  to  ma'atain  the  plants  in  slow 
yet  steady  development  of  growth  is  necessary  in  this  department.  That 
will  be  secured  by  a  night  temperature  of  55°  to  60°,  and  60°  to 
65°  by  day,  advancing  to  70°  or  75°  from  sun  heat,  with  moderate 
ventilation,  so  as  to  secure  a  sturdy  plant,  keeping  the  atmosphere 
moderately  dry,  as  too  much  moisture  at  the  present  time  either  at  the 
roots  or  in  the  air  tends  to  a  soft  attenuated  growth. 
Peaches  and  Nectarines. — Earliest  Forced  Trees. — The  flowers 
must  be  fertilised  as  they  expand,  and  the  pollen  becomes  ripe, 
distributing  it  over  the  stigmas.  Syringing  may  be  resorted  to  both 
morning  and  afternoon  when  the  fruit  D  well  set,  but  in  dull  weather 
damping  the  paths  and  borders  will  be  sufficient ;  and  in  cold  weather 
syringe  sufficiently  early  to  allow  the  foliage  to  become  dry  some  time 
before  nightfall.  Water  used  for  syringing  must  be  of  the  same 
temperature  as  the  house.  Ascertain  that  there  is  no  deficiency  of 
moisture  in  borders  inside,  watering  thoroughly  if  necessary,  as  driblets 
are  next  to  useless.  Disbudding  must  soon  have  attention.  It  must  be 
done  carefully  at  this  early  season,  removing  a  few  growths  daily  from 
a  tree  preferably  to  many  at  distant  intervals.  The  latter  practice 
gives  a  check  to  the  roots  at  the  expense  of  the  fruit,  which  for  lack  of 
assimila  ed  matter  often  falls  at  this  juncture  in  consequence  of  sap 
congestion. 
Maintain  the  night  temperature  at  55°,  5°  less  in  very  severe  weather, 
and  5°  more  in  mild  weather  ;  60°  to  65°  by  day  artificially,  5°  less  on 
those  figures  when  the  weather  is  cold  and  dull.  Ventilate  early, 
admitting  a  little  air  at  65°,  not  allowing  an  advance  over  70°  without 
full  ventilation,  closing  at  65°,  always  excepting  a  small  portion  left  at 
the  top  of  the  house  constantly.  This  prevents  a  vitiated  atmosphere, 
securing  a  healthy  condition  in  the  leaves,  enabling  them  to  do  more 
and  better  wTork  in  the  daytime. 
Second  Early  Forced  Trees. — Those  started  at  the  beginning  of  the 
month  are  expanding  their  flowers,  and .  before  they  open  it  is  well  to 
make  a  close  scrutiny  of  the  trees,  and  if  any  aphides  are  seen  fumigate 
or  vaporise  to  exterminate  the  pests.  Great  care  is  necessary  in  fumi¬ 
gating,  as  the  organs  of  fructification  are  easily  and  irreparably 
damaged.  Where  there  is  an  excess  of  blossom  buds  draw  the  hand  the 
contrary  way  of  the  growth  along  the  under  side  or  back  of  the  trellis, 
so  as  to  remove  all  those  situated  there  ;  and  if  that  is  not  enough  thin 
them  well  with  the  forefinger,  leaving  the  best  situated  and  most 
promising.  Syringing  must  cease  when  the  buds  show  colour,  but 
damp  the  house  in  the  morning  and  early  afternoon  ;  for  though  damp, 
stagnant,  cold  air  is  not  favourable  to  Nectarine  and  Peach  blossoms, 
or  the  trees  in  any  stage  of  their  growth,  a  dry  atmosphere  is  pernicious 
by  provoking  constant  and  excessive  evaporation.  See  that  inside 
borders  are  thoroughly  moistened  through  to  the  drainage,  but  avoid 
needless  waterings. 
Succession  and  Late  Houses. — Finish  pruning  the  trees  in  succession 
bouses  at  once,  not  deferring  that  of  those  in  late  houses  beyond  move¬ 
ment  in  the  buds.  Dress  the  trees  with  an  insecticide,  after  washing 
with  softsoapy  water,  1  ozs.  to  a  gallon  of  water,  taking  care  not  to 
dislocate  the  buds,  not  using  the  dressing  at  “  winter”  strength  if  the 
buds  are  advanced  in  swelling.  Secure  the  trees  to  the  trellis,  allowing 
ample  space  in  the  ligatures  for  the  swelling  of  the  branches,  and  leave 
room  between  these  for  laying  in  young  wood  for  future  bearing.  Fork 
the  border  lightly,  not  disturbing  the  roots,  removing  any  loose  soil,  and 
supply  fresh  loam,  but  not  more  than  an  inch  or  two  in  thickness,  and 
top-dress  with  an  approved  fertiliser. 
If  the  borders  are  at  all  dry  they  should  be  given  a  thorough  watering. 
Where  the  roof-lights  have  been  removed  watering  will  not  be  required, 
the  soil  being  in  a  thoroughly  moist  condition  from  rain.  Maintain  a 
genial  atmosphere  as  a  preventive  of  the  buds  falling.  Bud-dropping, 
however,  is  due  to  othe;  causes  than  deficiency  of  moisture  at  the  roots  or 
in  the  air  during  tbe  resting  period.  Over-maturity,  as  in  early  and  con¬ 
secutively  forced  trpes,  imperfect  bud  formation  through  a  deficiency  of 
moisture  at  the  roots  or  in  the  atmosphere  during  the  summer,  or  lack  of 
support  and  assimilating  power  through  attacks  of  parasites,  and  too 
crowded  a  condition  of  the  foliage,  conduce  to  the  misfortune. 
rigs. — Early  Forced  Trees  in  Pots. — Those  started  in  November  or 
beginning  of  December  to  afford  ripe  fruit  in  April  are  forming  fresh 
roots  abundantly,  therefore  the  bottom  heat  must  be  kept  steady  at  70° 
to  75°,  bringing  the  fermenting  material  to  the  rim  of  the  pots.  This 
will  encourage  surface  roots,  and  instead  of  letting  these  extend 
over  the  rims  into  the  fermenting  material,  place  turves  round  the 
tops  of  the  pots,  and  extending  over  or  down  the  sides,  which  will  keep 
the  roots  near  home  and  induce  a  sturdy  growth,  while  the  roots  can  be 
fed  in  the  turf.  To  encourage  active  feeders  from  the  collar  fill  the 
hollows  formed  by  the  turves  with  sweet  lumpy  manure  or  rough  pieces 
of  turf,  and  sprinkle  these  occasionally  with  a  little  approved  chemical 
fertiliser.  Keep  the  atmosphere  healthfully  moist  by  syringing  twice 
a  day  and  damping  as  required  in  dry  weather,  taking  advantage  of 
every  gleam  of  sunshine  for  raising  the  heat  to  80°,  but  admit  a 
little  air  at  70°,  increasing  it  with  the  temperature,  closing  at  75°  and  so 
as  to  raise  to  80°  or  more.  In  dull  weather  the  temperature  should  be 
kept  at  60°  by  night  and  65°  by  day,  but  5°  more  in  both  cases  when  the 
weather  is  mild,  while  in  cold  a  few  degrees  will  be  better  than  more. 
Rub  off  superfluous  growths  and  stop  the  shoots  at  about  the  fourth  or 
fifth  good  leaf,  but  trees  making  sturdy  growths  will  not  need  stopping, 
and  may  produce  the  finest  Figs. 
Early  Forced  Planted  out  Fig  Trees. — The  trees  started  early  in  the 
month,  and  having  the  roots  restricted  to  narrow  borders,  will  require 
watering,  and,  if  very  dry,  repeatedly  to  bring  and  maintain  the  soil  in  a 
moist  condition,  especially  as  <he  trees  are  starting  into  growth  and  need 
water  ali  ke  for  the  su  pply  of  nutriment  and  the  diffusion  of  stored  matter . 
The  night  temperature  may  be  raised  to  55°,  and  60°  to  65°  from  fire 
heat,  with  an  advance  from  sun  heat  to  70°  or  75°,  but  with  moderate 
ventilation.  Syringe  the  trees  in  the  morning  and  afternoon  of  bright 
days,  the  latter  always  sufficiently  early  to  allow  the  trees  to  become 
fairly  dry  before  night,  and  in  dull  weather  omit  the  afternoon 
syringing.  Weakly  trees  may  have  a  good  supply  of  liquid  manure  at  a 
temperature  corresponding  to  the  mean  of  the  house,  but  it  must 
neither  be  too  strong  nor  excessive  in  quantity,  while  it  will  only  make 
nutters  worse  where  the  growth  is  strong.  Judicious  manurial 
