524 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
Kovember  28, 
This  season  of  the  year  is  the  source  of  a  large  amount  of  work. 
Besides  clearing  lawns,  drives,  and  walks  of  fallen  leaves,  tree-shifting, 
planting,  and  other  alterations  are  being  carried  on  in  most  gardens,  if 
the  weather  be  at  all  favourable,  and  such  work  occupies  time  and 
entails  much  labonr. 
Our  houses  and  conservatories  are  now  gay  with  Pompons  and  other 
bush  flowering  Chrysanthemums,  affording  a  magnificent  display  of 
bloom,  imparting  brightness  throughout  the  short  and  often  sunless  days 
of  winter.  I  must  not  omit  mentioning  the  handsome  Poinsettias,  which 
are  ablaze  with  their  richly  coloured  bracts,  producing  a  pleasing  effect, 
and  being  admired  by  all.  Calanthes  are  now  coming  into  flower  ;  they 
are  exceedingly  attractive  when  arranged  with  a  few  small  Palms  and 
Ferns,  as  they  are  destitute  of  leaves  at  the  time  of  flowering. 
The  bulk  of  Chrysanthemum  shows  are  now  well  nigh  over  ;  a  few , 
have  yet  to  come,  to  end  the  sway  of  the  autumn  queen.  I  think  it 
has  been  a  successfu';  year,  and  the  Jubilee  will  remain  memorable  in 
the  minds  of  all.  It  has  also  been  marked  by  many  new  and  substantial 
varieties.  Oceana,  Australian  Gold,  and  Australie  are  among  the 
principal  ones,  and  there  are  others,  too,  worthy  of  note. 
Considering  the  drought  of  last  summer,  most  of  the  vegetables  have 
been  fairly  good,  though  the  hot  scorching  days  experienced  proved 
fatal  to  more  than  one  promising  crop,  besides  putting  many  a  gardener 
to  all  manner  of  inconvenience  in  procuring  sufficient  water  for  the 
produce,  causing  weeks  of  painful  anxiety  to  one  and  all  by  the  non- 
appearance  of  rain. — F.  W.  G. 
A  Few  Eemindees. 
As  “  Danelm  ”  says  (page  476),  we  might  help  each  other  in  our  work 
now  a  chance  is  afforded.  We  are  having  frosts  during  most  nights, 
which  necessitates  more  firing.  A  deficiency  of  piping  for  maintaining  the 
desired  temperature  means  keeping  the  surfaces  very  hot,  causing  a 
very  dry  atmosphere.  Have  a  rose  can  close  at  hand ;  damp  down  two 
or  three  times  in  the  evening.  Be  careful  to  use  warm  water  to  prevent 
lowering  the  temperature.  Pat  a  little  air  on  the  stoves  on  favourable 
occasions  ;  close  and  syringe  early.  Keep  all  damp  and  decayed  leaves 
picked  off,  the  plants  and  the  houses  as  tidy  as  possible.  Hanging 
Grapes  need  constant  attention,  as  one  damp  berry  will  soon  cause  the 
whole  bunch  to  decay.  Peach  houses  are  apt  to  be  neglected  ;  the 
borders  must  on  no  account  be  allowed  to  get  dry,  or  bud  dropping  will 
follow.  The  time  has  come  when  houses  ought  to  be  thoroughly  cleaned 
and  put  in  order,  as  now  is  the  time  to  hunt  out  bug,  scale,  and  spider. 
Let  us  do  this  and  all  work  thoroughly  and  well.  It  is  a  capital  plan 
to  note  down  what  is  done  from  day  to  day  for  future  reference.  Our 
old  friend’s  articles  will  nqt  be  In  vain  I  feel  sure  ;  many  thanks. 
Perhaps  he  will  be  kind  enough  to  give  us  something  for  Christmas. — 
A  JOUENEyMAN, 
E.H.S.  Examinations— College  Coaching. 
Now  that  young  gardeners  have  a  corner  to  themselves,  I,  as  one  of 
them,  should  like  to  express  my  ideas  of  the  above  examinations.  They 
will  never  become  popular  in  their  present  form  amongst  young 
gardeners,  for  how  can  men  who  have  to  work  from  six  o’clock  in  the 
morning  till  six  at  night,  and  often  longer  in  the  summer  time,  expect 
to  compete  against  College  students,  who  are  coached  for  the  purpose  ? 
Young  gardeners  may  stand  nearly  as  good  a  chance  in  the  practical 
half,  though  they  may  not  be  able  to  put  tbeir  knowledge  on  paper  so 
well  as  Is  desirable  ;  but  in  the  elementary  half  they  are  left  woefully 
behind.  The  time  (two  hours  and  a  half)  I  consider  too  short  for  men 
more  used  to  using  a  spade  and  pick  than  the  pen  to  answer  eight 
questions,  of  which  I  will  give  two  examples  : — 
“  Give  the  names  of  the  best  varieties  of  Strawberries.  What  i.s  the 
most  suitable  soil  for  their  culture  ?  Describe  the  culture  in  detail  for 
forcing  and  open  garden.” 
“  Of  the  elements  and  compounds  that  go  to  make  up  the  constitution 
of  plants  a  few  occur  in  much  larger  proportion  than  others.  Which  are 
they,  and  whence  are  they  obtained  ?  ” 
The  last  one  I  dare  say  the  College  students  answered  easily,  but  I 
venture  to  say  it  made  1)9  per  cent,  of  the  young  gardeners  stop  and 
think. 
If  the  E.H.S.  were  to  bold  an  examination  in  really  useful  practical 
gardening  it  would  be  welcomed ;  but  at  present  few,  either  under  or 
head  gardeners,  can  obtain  anything  except  a  third  class  certificate.  I 
have  known  several  instances  of  young  men  who  have  spent  hours  and 
hours  in  atudying  what  the  B  H.S.  call  “elementary  principles”  whose 
houses  have  ^en  the  dirtiest  in  the  whole  range.  It  would  have  been 
better  in  my  idea  if  they  had  made  a  special  study  of  the  mealy  bug, 
tbrips,  and  scale,  and  banished  them  from  their  departments. 
No  young  gardener  in  want  of  a  situation  would  care  to  advertise 
“  holder  of  third-class  certificate  from  the  E.H.S  ”  Several  excellent 
men  have  only  obtained  thirds.  At  the  last  examination  a  foreman, 
who  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  his  head,  and  well  competent  to  take 
charge  of  a  garden,  only  obtained  a  third-clasi  position. 
“  College  coaching  ”  is  not  practical  gardening,  and  while  it  is 
countenanced  the  examinations  will  never  have  the  confidence  of  the 
gardening  community. 
1  appeal  to  the  E.H.S.  to  give  young  gardeners  a  fair  chance,  and 
they  will  do  their  best  as  candidates,  but  few  will  enter  under  the 
present  conditions. — Young  Gaedenee, 
[We  have  received  contributions,  and  some  of  them  very  good,  from 
“W.  S.,”  “B.  C.  W.,”  “E  P.,”  and  two  writers  who  sign  as  “Bothyites.” 
A  change  from  this  term  would  be  desirable,  as  a  dozen  young  scribes 
WOWoktheWEEK. 
FKUIT  FORCING. 
Figs. — Earliest  Trees  in  Pots, — To  have  ripe  fruit  at  the  end  of 
April,  or  early  in  May,  of  such  kinds  as  Brown  Turkey  and  Pingo  de 
Mel,  and  to  precede  those  by  a  fortnight  or  three  weeks  Early  Violet, 
and  St.  John,  which  are,  perhaps,  the  surest  cropping  of  Figs  for  first 
crop,  the  trees  must  be  started  early  in  December  ;  therefore  dress  them 
with  an  insecticide,  applying  it  with  a  brush  to  every  part,  care  being 
taken  not  to  rub  off  the  embryo  fruit  or  damage  the  points  of  the  shoots. 
The  tr^es  should  be  placed  on  loose  brick  pillars,  so  that  they  may  not 
sett’e  'With  the  fermenting  material,  which,  being  placed  in  the  pit  and 
brought  up  about  the  pots,  will  afford  a  genial  warmth  ;  but  the  heat 
about  the  pots  must  not  exceed  65°  until  the  trees  are  fairly  in  growth. 
The  top  heat  may  be  50°  to  55°  at  night,  and  65°  by  day,  the  trees  and 
bouse  being  damped  in  the  morning  of  fine  nays,  and  again  early  in  the 
afternoon  ;  but  it  must  be  done  sufficiently  early  to  allow  the  trees 
to  become  fairly  dry  before  night.  Water  must  be  given  at  the  roots  to 
keep  the  soil  thoroughly  moist,  and  about  the  same  temperature  as  that 
of  the  heat  about  the  pots.  Avoid  a  very  close  atmosphere,  ihe  moisture 
arising  from  the  fermentine  material,  with  an  occasional  damping  of  the- 
paths  and  walls  will  be  sufficient  on  dull  days. 
Pines. — Suceessional  Plants. — Span  or  three-quarter  span-roofed 
pits  or  small  houses  properly  ventilated  are  the  most  suitable  for  small 
stock,  which  at  this  season  often  suffer  irreparable  injury  from  being 
kept  too  close  and  warm,  also  from  being  too  crowded  and  far  from  the 
glass,  the  plants  being  drawn  and  weakly.  A  temperature  of  60°  at  night 
and  65°  in  the  daytime  will  keep  all  young  stock  gently  progressing, 
admitting  a  little  air  at  65°  at  the  top  of  the  house,  leaving  it  on  all  day,, 
but  not  to  lower  the  temperature  below  that  point,  and  when  the  sun 
rises  the  temperature  to  75°  a  free  circulation  of  air  should  be  allowed. 
The  bottom  heat  should  be  kept  steady  at  80°.  Avoid  anything 
approaching  to  a  damp  atmosphere,  moderate  humidity  only  is  needed 
at  this  time  of  year.  Apply  water  only  when  the  plants  become  dry, 
and  then  afford  a  thorough  supply  of  weak  liquid  manure.  It  is 
essential  that  the  plants  be  kept  well  up  to  the  glass  and  .be  given  plenty 
of  room. 
7. 
Mt 
Suckers. — Those  ready  for  starting  now  should  be  kept  until  March,.  ^ 
and  if  there  is  likely  to  be  a  scarcity  of  suckers  any  recently  potted 
may  be  retained  in  5-incb  pots,  affording  them  a  light  situation  in  a 
may  adopt  it.  The  writers  indicated  have  not  sent  their  names  and 
addresses,  and  we  shall  be  obliged  by  their  doing  so.] 
rather  moist  pit,  with  a  temperature  of  55°  at  night  and  a  slight  bottom 
heat,  keeping  them  rather  dry.  Take  every  opportunity  of  collecting 
Oak  and  Beech  leaves,  and  whenever  favourable  push  forward  whatever 
may  be  necessary  in  the  renewing  or  augmenting  the  fermenting  beds, 
effecting  this  without  giving  a  check  to  the  plants. 
Cucumbers. — Winter  fruiting  Cucumbers  are  frequent  failures. 
This  is  mostly  due  to  a  deficiency  of  heating  surface  combined  with  an  arid 
atmosphere.  Sharp  weather  necessitates  brisk  firing,  which,  where  there 
is  little  piping,  dries  the  atmosphere,  cansing  excessive  evaporation  from' 
the  foliage,  and  it  becomes  crippled  in  consequence  ;  the  fruits  also  are 
stunted  and  swell  indifferently,  and  where  the  pipes  are  in  close 
proximity  to  the  roots  the  soil  is  dried  too  much,  and  the  growth  is 
consequently  not  healthy.  Heat  radiated  at  a  high  temperature  is  not 
good  for  vegetation,  and  when  the  water  has  to  be  kept  at  near  boiling 
point  failure  is  almost  inevitable,  besides  it  Is  highly  wasteful  of  fuel. 
Admit  air  very  carefully,  yet  afford  a  little  when  opportunity  offers, 
excluding  it,  however,  when  the  external  air  is  sharp  and  cold,  turning 
off  the  top  heat  when  the  sun  is  very  bright  and  likely  to  raise  the 
temperature  much  over  85°  or  90°.  In  bright  weather  damp  the  house 
morning  and  afternoon,  closing  early,  but  be  careful  not  to  wet  the 
embryo  fruit,  for  water  hanging  from  it  will  cause  decay.  Water  will 
be  needed  at  the  roots  about  twice  a  week,  always  affording  it  equal  in 
temperature  to  that  of  the  bed.  Maintain  a  night  temperature  of  60° 
to  05'’,  and  70°  to  75°  by  day,  and  advancing  5°,  10°,  or  16°  from  son 
heat,  and  endeavour  to  enclose  as  much  sun  heat  as  safe. 
The  plants  from  the  August  sowing  planted  out  in  September  have 
covered  the  trellis  and  are  fruiting,  but  this  must  be  allowed  very 
moderately  if  the  plants  are  expected  to  afford  full  supplies  at  a  later  jj 
period,  and  uniess  there  is  undue  vigour  in  the  plants  they  should  not 
be  allowed  to  bear  for  a  few  weeks,  especially  if  they  are  wanted  toi 
supply  fruit  plentifully  at  the  new  year  and  forward.  Attend  frequently,? 
to  stopping  and  thinning,  also  tying  the  shoots,  avoiding  overcrowding, 
as  stout  foliage  better  endures  the  trying  ordeal  of  wintry  weather, . 
Canker  is  best  held  in  check  by  lessened  moisture  and  quicklime  rubbed  ’ 
well  into  the  affected  parts.  Eemoving  old  useless  leaves  is  good' for  the 
plants,  and  may  keep  off  attacks  of  red  spider,  but  if  that  pest  appears.' 
sponge  the  infest  d  leaves  carefully  with  a  solution  of  softsoap,  2  ozs.  .j 
to  a  gallon  of  water.  If  this  be  done  on  the  first  appearance  of  the  pest  j 
much  after  trouble  will  be  saved.  Mildew  may  be  kept  under  by  dusting! 
the  infested  parts  with  flowers  of  sulphur,  or  brushing  the  pipes  with* 
sulphur  brought  to  the  consistency  of  cream  with  skim  milk.  This  will' 
also  destroy  white  fly.  Aphides  succumb  to  vapourisations  with  nicotine, 
as  also  does  mealy  bug.  Tobacco  fumigation  on  two  or  three  consecutive^ 
evenings  is  also  effectual  against  aphides  and  thrips. 
