JOmKAL  OS'  HOkfiCtiL'PtJ'RE  Ai^t)  OOTTAGE  GAROmEti 
RV  *■ 
r  '  July  8(j,  1886. 
_ 
a  contiDQOHB  line  remove  the  weakest,  and  all  likely  to  be  less  than 
8  to  10  inches  apart,  when  the  future  tying-in  to  the  trellis  or  wires  is 
carried  out  Applications  of  water  and  liquid  stimulant,  with  a  mulch* 
ing  of  manure  over  the  roots,  will  materially  strengthen  the  canes,  and 
their  due  exposure  to  light  and  air  completes  the  ripening. 
Apricots,  Peaches,  and  Nectarines. — Regulate  the  wood  to  the 
best  advantage,  cutting  out  any  exhausted  branches  and  filling  up  the 
vacancies  with  young  healthy  wood.  Attention  to  the  necessary  training 
required  by  the  current  year’s  shoots  has  the  effect  of  maintaining  the 
;  trees  in  good  form,  and  better  affords  abundant  light  and  air  to  the 
'<■  fruit,  which  now  demands  a  considerable  share  in  order  to  reach  perfec- 
k  tion  of  quality  and  a  good  colour.  Clear  away  any  obstructions  that 
^  may  interfere  with  the  swelling  of  the  fruit,  such  as  nails  coming  in 
t-  contact  with  it,  and  it  may  be  necessary  when  the  leaves  shade  the  fruits 
il'  too  much  to  draw  a  portion  on  one  side. 
J  Watering  and  ItZulclilng. — The  majority  of  trees  and  bushes  will 
this  season  be  benefited  by  thorough  soakings  of  water  applied  to  the 
:  roots.  Trees  growing  against  walls  usually  suffer  the  soonest,  so  if 
practicable  attend  well  to  those  bearing  a  crop.  Follow  the  moistening 
by  applying  a  liberal  mulch  of  manure,  which  prevents  evaporation. 
Syringing. — Frequent  washing  of  the  foliage  to  subdue  insect  pests 
is  advisable  in  order  that  the  leaves  may  more  efficiently  perform  their 
functions.  Red  spider  is  prone  to  be  troublesome  on  the  leaves  of  Apples 
and  Cherries.  Vigorously  syringe  with  clear  water,  and  in  bad  cases 
use  an  insecticide,  but  not  where  there  is  fruit  ripe  or  approaching 
ripeness. 
FRUIT  FORCING. 
Vines. — In  Pots  for  Early  Forcing. — To  have  ripe  Grapes  from 
Vines  started  in  November  by  the  end  ot  March  or  early  in  April  the 
canes  ought  now  to  have  the  wood  thoroughly  brovrn  and  hard,  buds 
well  developed  and  somewhat  prominent,  with  foliage  assuming  the  sere 
and  yellow  condition.  If  not,  keep  the  house  rather  warmer  by  day, 
80°  to  85°,  but  with  some  ventilation,  closing  the  ventilators  consider¬ 
ably  in  the  early  part  of  the  afternoon,  to  raise  tbe  temperature  to 
90“  or  95°,  and  opening  them  fully  at  night.  This,  and  the  full  exposure 
of  the  foliage  to  light,  will  Induce  maturity.  Supply  water  or  liquid 
manure  to  prevent  the  foliage  becoming  limp,  but  do  not  give  it  until 
tbe  soil  is  getting  dry. 
Lateral  growths  must  be  kept  in  check,  leaving  only  enough  to 
appropriate  any  excess  of  sap,  and  so  prevent  the  principal  buds 
starting.  When  sufficiently  ripened,  as  they  are  when  the  wood  becomes 
brown  and  hard  and  the  buds  are  plump,  they  should  be  removed  to  a 
position  outdoors  in  the  full  sun,  standing  on  a  board  or  slates  in  front 
of  a  south  wall,  fence  or  building,  securing  the  canes  to  the  face  of  the 
wall,  only  giving  water  to  prevent  the  leaves  falling  prematurely,  and 
having  some  waterproof  material  at  hand  to  throw  the  rain  from  the 
pots  in  case  of  heavy  showers  occurring.  In  this  position,  or  even  in  a 
house  ventilated  to  the  fullest  extent,  they  will  rest  without  the  leaves 
being  shed,  provided  they  are  not  kept  too  moist.  When  the  leaves  turn 
yellow  commence  reducing  tbe  laterals,  and  the  leaves  have  all  fallen 
prune,  cutting  the  laterals  close  to  the  cane,  but  without  injuring  tbe 
buds,  and  cut  the  cane  back  to  the  length  required  or  from  6  to  8  feet. 
Dress  all  the  cuts,  but  only  tbe  wounds,  with  patent  knotting.  The 
Vines  should  be  placed  in  a  cool,  airy,  dry  place  until  required  for 
forcing.  Dryness  at  the  roots  is  advisable,  bat  tbe  soil  must  not  become 
so  much  devoid  of  moisture  as  to  cause  tbe  wood  to  shrivel,  and  the 
needful  precaution  must  be  taken  against  frost. 
Earlieht  Forced  Planted-out  Vines. — A  dry  atmosphere  is  now 
J  necessary,  which  will  be  secured  by  full  ventilation  and  the  withholding 
r  of  atmospheric  moisture  by  discontinuing  the  dampings  or  occasional 
1  syringings.  All  laterals  must  be  kept  stopped  and  the  house  cool,  with 
»  moderate  dryness  at  tbe  roots.  Where  the  Vines  are  in  an  unsatisfactory 
V;  condition  preparation  should  be  made  for  lifting,  getting  fresh  loam  and 
j '  clean  drainage,  so  that  the  work  may  be  quickly  performed.  When  the 
jf  •  Vines  have  the  run  of  outside  and  inside  borders  one  part  only  ought  to 
be  operated  on  at  once,  the  inside  one  year  and  the  outside  the  next. 
This  prevents  loss  of  crop,  but  when  the  roots  are  all  inside  there  is  no 
:  help  for  it  but  to  lift  the  Vines  bodily,  and  when  this  is  done  carefully 
f  the  crop  of  the  following  year  will  not  be  materially  prejudiced.  The 
‘  Vines  will  need  pruning  by  the  middle  of  September  or  when  lifted  a 
[  little  later. 
Houses  Required  for  Early  Foreing. — Vines  that  have  not  been 
started  early,  but  are  required  to  afford  a  supply  of  ripe  Grapes  in  May 
'  and  June  next  season,  will  need  to  be  thoroughly  syringed  as  soon  as 
\  the  crop  is  off,  cleaning  them  thoroughly  from  insects,  applying  an 
^  insecticide  if  necessary,  and  if  there  is  any  doubt  about  tbe  maturity  of 
\  the  wood  and  buds  it  will  be  necessary  to  keep  the  bouse  rather  close  by 
day,  but  with  sufficient  ventilation  to  cause  evaporation  and  allow  the 
moisture  to  escape.  Give  no  more  water  to  the  border  than  will  prevent 
I  the  foliage  becoming  limp.  If  the  weather  prove  cold  and  wet  employ 
fire  heat  in  the  daytime  to  maintain  a  temperature  of  70°  to  75°  with 
moderate  ventilation,  and  turn  tbe  heat  off  at  night  to  allow  the  pipes  to 
cool,  increasing  the  ventilation  so  as  to  induce  a  shorough  draught,  and 
this  will  soon  cause  the  wood  to  harden  and  the  buds  to  plump,  insuring 
rest,  which  for  Vines  to  be  started  in  December  should  be  complete  from 
the  middle  to  the  end  of  September.  When  the  wood  is  ripe  ventilate 
fully  day  and  night. 
Vines  Cleared  of  their  Crops. — Through  Grapes  hanging  the  foliage 
of  the  Vines  often  becomes  infested  with  red  spider,  and  by  growing 
plants  in  the  house  they  are  attacked  by  scale  and  mealy  bug,  the  dry 
atmosphere  also  encouraging  thrips.  Thoroughly  cleanse  the  Vines. 
Ml 
The  laterals  should  be  kept  fairly  in  hand,  not  closely  pinched,  unless 
the  Vines  are  very  vigorous  and  not  ripening  the  wood  kindly,  when 
keeping  the  house  rather  dry  with  all  tbe  ventilation  possible  at  night, 
and  somewhat  close  and  warm  by  day,  will  promote  the  maturity  of  the 
wood  and  buds.  In  stopping  vigorous  Vines  regard  must  be  had  to  tbe 
pruning  buds,  for  when  all  growth  is  removed  it  may  cause  them  to 
start,  which  must  be  avoided  by  allowing  a  little  lateral  growth,  and 
keeping  the  soil  dry  at  the  roots  to  the  extent  of  causing  the  foliage  to 
become  rather  limp  under  powerful  sun.  Weakly  Vines  should  be  fed 
with  liquid  manure  and  the  laterals  allowed  to  extend,  but  whatever 
extension  is  permitted  the  extraneous  foliage  must  not  inferfere  in  any 
way  with  the  free  access  of  light  and  air  to  the  principal  leaves,  which 
must  be  kept  healthy,  and  thus  appropriate  some  of  the  food  and  store 
it  in  the  buds  and  adjacent  wood.  Free  ventilation  will  be  necessary 
day  and  night. 
Grapes  Ripening. — Many  Grapes  swell  considerably  whilst  ripening, 
therefore  need  a  moist  but  not  saturated  condition  of  the  borders.  Give 
tbe  needful  supplies  of  water  or  liquid  manure,  always  in  the  early  part 
of  the  day,  so  that  the  superfluous  moisture  may  be  dissipated  before 
night.  Heavily  cropped  Vines  should  be  allowed  time,  and  be  supplied 
with  phosphatic  matter,  such  as  mineral  superphosphate,  with  a  little 
magnesia  and  potash,  say  double  sulphate  of  potash  and  magnesia  one 
part,  and  two  parts  superphosphate,  mixed,  applying  3  or  4  ozs.  per 
square  yard,  and  working  in.  This  may  be  followed  by  something  of  a 
nitrogenous  nature,  such  as  bone  superphosphate,  which  will  not  only 
help  the  current  crop,  but  be  stored  for  the  benefit  of  the  next.  A  good 
rest  at  night  in  a  temperature  of  60°  to  65°  with  air  is  a  great  aid  to 
Vines  taxed  to  the  utmost  by  weight  of  Grapes.  A  moderate  amount  of 
air  moisture  also  is  essential  to  the  health  of  the  Vines,  sprinkling  the 
paths  and  borders  occasionally,  and  if  possible  allow  the  laterals  to 
extend,  but  full  or  overcropped  Vines  rarely  can  cater  for  more  than  the 
principal  leaves  and  Grapes.  Admit  air  constantly,  enough  with  a 
gentle  heat  in  the  pipes  to  insure  a  circulation,  and  maintain  a  tem¬ 
perature  by  day  of  70°  to  75°,  keeping  through  the  day  at  80°  to  85°  or 
!)0°  with  sun,  and  full  ventilation. 
PLANT  HOUSES. 
Watering. — Experience  tends  to  prove  that  greater  care  is  exercised 
in  watering  during  the  winter  than  in  the  summer  months.  Not 
unfrequently  during  hot  bright  weather  plants  receive  too  much  water, 
and  evil  consequences  follow.  Too  much  care  cannot  be  exercised  in  the 
watering  of  plants,  especially  after  they  have  been  newly  potted  and  the 
pots  are  full  of  roots.  It  is  then  difficult,  if  the  drainage  is  good,  to 
overwater  them.  Many  seedlings  and  other  plants  are  ruined  in  their 
early  stages  by  the  soil  being  kept  too  wet.  The  secret  in  plant-grow¬ 
ing  is  to  supply  water  carefully. 
Feeding  with  Iilquld  Manure. — Each  year  convinces  us  that 
more  barm  than  good  results  from  tbe  use  of  liquids  from  cesspool  and 
the  farmyard.  It  is  difficult  to  estimate  its  strength,  and  young  men,  in 
the  hope  of  pushing  on  plants  rapidly,  use  it  too  strong,  and  burn  the 
roots  or  poison  the  surface  of  the  soil,  so  that  the  roots  will  not  enter 
it.  Soot  water  in  a  clear  state  is  practically  harmless,  and  quickly 
stimulates  the  plants,  and  may  with  safety  be  used  every  time  water  is 
needed  once  the  plants  are  rooting  freely  in  the  soil.  This,  with  a 
suitable  artificial  manure  applied  to  tbe  surface  of  the  soil  at  intervals 
of  two  or  three  weeks,  will  be  found  far  better  than  daily  supplies  of 
farmyard  liquid. 
Plant  Cleaning. — Constant  attention  is  needed  in  dipping  or 
syringing  plants  directly  aphides  and  thrips  are  observed  upon  them. 
Where  plants  can  be  fumigated  it  will  be  the  most  economical  method  of 
destroying  these  pests.  Plants  must  be  freed  from  mealy  bug  and  scale 
on  every  opportunity  when  the  houses  are  not  hot.  It  is  impossible  to 
have  healthy  robust  plants  that  are  infested  with  insects.  When  the 
houses  are  cool  men  can  clean  nearly  double  tbe  number  of  plants  that 
they  can  when  the  atmosphere  is  moist  and  the  temperature  high. 
Pot  Washing. — Pots  can  never  be  washed  so  quickly  and  easily  as 
directly  they  are  emptied.  We  find  it  economical  to  wash  them  at  once. 
If  stored  outside  aod  allowed  to  dry  they  t<ke  more  than  lv.’ice  the 
time  that  they  do  when  they  are  moist.  If  the  whole  cannot  be  done 
as  the  plants  are  turned  out,  a  large  tub  or  tank  should  be  handy  for 
placing  them  in  to  keep  them  moist,  so  that  it  can  be  done  at  the  first 
opportunity.  Pots  in  which  plants  are  growing  should  be  kept  clean,  for 
however  well  plants  are  grown  their  appearance  is  practically  destroyed 
if  the  pots  are  allowed  to  remain  dirty.  The  walls,  curbs,  glass,  and 
other  portions  of  the  structure  should  be  cle-med  thoroughly  when  the 
plants  are  turned  over.  A  few  hours  devoted  to  these  operations  now 
and  again  assist  materially  in  maintaining  a  healthy  atmosphere  about 
the  plants.  The  appearance  of  houses  and  plants  depends  almost  solely 
whether  they  are  kept  clean  or  the  reverse. 
SEASONABLE  NOTES. 
Brood  in  Section?. 
It  is  not  often  that  bee-keepers  are  troubled  with  brood  in 
sections,  bat  during  the  present  season  two  or  three  instances  have 
