February  13,  1902. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
155 
WOKK.foiithe  VEEK  ■ 
Fruit  Forciflg. 
PEACHES  AND  NECTARINES :  EARLIEST  HOUSE.— 
^tention  must  be  given  to  regulating  and  tying  the  growths. 
Where  the  shoots  reserved  at  the  base  of  the  present  bearing 
wood  are  sufficiently  advanced  they  should  be  laid  in — that  is, 
tied  down — so  as  to  give  them  the  desired  inclination,  taking 
care  not  to  bring  them  too  sharply  towards  the  branches,  nor 
endeavour  to  tie  them  until  they  are  sufficiently  grown  to  allow 
of  the  operation  being  performed  without  snapping  off  the  points. 
1  he  terminal  growths  of  leading  branches  should  be  trained  in 
their  full  length,  pinching  the  laterals  to  one  leaf  as  produced. 
Growths  for  furnishing  branches  also  require  to  be  trained  in 
without  stopping,  tying  and  regulating  them  as  they  advance, 
111  doing  which  leave  plenty  of  room  for  the  shoots  swelling.  In 
laying-in  young  shoots  from  extensions  avoid  overcrowding, 
allowing  a  distance  of  12in  to  loin  between  them  along  the 
branches  and  about  6in'  between  the  shoots,  so  that  the  foliage 
will  receive  plenty  of  light  and  air.  Those  shoots  retained  to 
attract  the  sap  to  the  fruit  must  be  kept  closely  jiinched  to  one 
leaf  after  they  have  previously  been  stopped  at  the  third  joint 
or  the  one  with  a  good  leaf.  Make  an  examination  of  the  border 
every  fortnight  or  three  weeks,  and  supply  water  or  liquid 
manure  to  weakly  trees  in  a  tepid  state,  thoroughly,  whenever 
lequired.  riiis  is  better  than  having  stated  periods  of  watering, 
for  needless  supplies  of  water  or  liquid  manure  only  tend  to 
make  the  soil  sodden  and  sour,  and  neglect  of  affording  moisture 
at  the  roots  retards  growth,  besides  favouring  attacks  of  red 
siiider.  1  his  pest  must  be  kept  under  by  .syringing  the  trees  in 
the  morning  and  afternoon.  If  this  fails  to  subdue  insect  pests, 
or  if  aphides  appear,  syringe  with  a  decoction  of  quassia  chips, 
4oz,  boiled  ten  minutes  in  a  gallon  of  water  in  which  the  chips 
have  been  steeped  overniglit,  dissolving  4oz  of  softsoap  in  it  as 
it  cools,  straining  and  diluting  with  hot  water  to  4  gallons,  using 
when  cooled  to  90deg  to  lOOdeg.  Should  the  growths  be  attacked 
by  brown  aphis,  use  the  mixture  at  full  strength,  applying  with 
a  brush  to  the  affected  parts.  In  ten  to  fifteen  minutes  after¬ 
wards  syringe  the  whole  of  the  trees  with  the  decoction  of  quassia 
chips  and  .softsoap  solution  diluted  to  4  gallons.  Repeat  as 
necessary  for  keeping  the  trees  free  from  aphides,  red  spider, 
and  tlirips.  It  also  has  a  deterrent  effect  upon  brown  scale,  pre¬ 
senting  the  young  getting  fixed  on  the  tender  growths.  The 
temperature  shouM  be  maintained  at  60deg  to  65deg  by  artificial 
means,  a  fall  tO  o5deg  on  cold  mornings  being  much  better  for 
the  trees  than  sharp  firing,  which  only  induces  attenuated 
growths  and  favoll'’'^  iufjcots, 
JULY  AND  AUGUST  C2!9^S---The  trees  for  this  purpose 
should  be  started  early  in  March.  oreviously  foi’ced  will 
start  naturally  at  the  usual  lime,  so  that  there  is  no  nel"'^^  to  close 
the  house  to  accelerate  the  swelling  of  the  buds;  in  fact, 
are,  if  anything,  too  forward,  and  will  require  air  fidly  day  and 
night,  except  when  frost  prevails,  to  prevent  their  being  brought 
on  too  rapidly.  Nothing,  however,  is  gained  by  striving  to 
retard  the  trees  at  the  blo.s.soming  .stage,  but  everything  may 
be  lost  as  regards  a ’crop  by  failing  to  accord  the  conditions 
e.s.sential  to  a  good  crop  of  fruit.  The  trees  may  be  syringed  every 
day  twice  until  the  blo.ssom  buds  show  colour,  when  it  is  better 
to  cease  sprinkling  them,  as  the  anthers  soon  appear,  and  they 
require  a  moderate  degree  of  moisture  only  for  their  proper 
development.  temperature  of  50deg  by  day,  advancing  to 
6odeg  with  abundant  ventilation,  and  iOdeg  to  45deg  at  night, 
will  be  all  that  is  needed  to  i?isure  a  good  set  of  fruit,  provided 
enough  air  is  given  to  prevent  the  atmo.sphere  becoming  stagnant. 
Examine  the  border,  and  if  dry  afford  a  thoroTigh  supply  of 
water.  If  there  be  a  plentiful  show  of  hlossom  remove  those  on 
the  under  side  or  at  tlie  back  of  the  trellis  by  drawing  the  hand 
the  rever.se  way  of  the  growth. — St.  Alba.xs. 
The  Kitchen  Gardm 
BROAD  BEANS. — A  few  rows  usually  suffice  in  most  gardens. 
Any  of  the  Longpod  varieties  are  suitable  for  .sowing  now.  They 
are  hardy  and  early.  Good,  rich,  -moist  ground  will  suit  thein, 
drawing  drills  9in  wide  so  as  to  hold  a  double  row  of  seed,  these 
being  placed  4in  apart.  The  rows  may  be  2ft  apart. 
SPINACH. — The  space  between  rows  of  Peas,  especially  tall 
varieties,  may  be  profitably  utilised  by  sowing  Round  or  Summer 
Spinach  as  one  crop.  One,  or  at  most  two,  rows  are  usually  suffi¬ 
cient  for  one  sowing.  Draw  shallow,  wide  drills,  scattering  the 
seed  fairly  thickly,  and  cover  with  fine  soil.  The  plants  may  be 
thinned  out  for  use  as  they  h('Come  large  enough. 
TOMATOES. — Early  plants  in  various  stages  in  heat  will- 
need  considei'able  attention  in  pricking  out,  potting,  repotting, 
staking.  They  must  have  a  warm  position  and  near  the  glass. 
On  warm,  bright,  sunny  days  water  will  be  needed  more 
frequently.  Well-established  plants  in  4in  or  5in  pots  may  be 
planted  out  on  hillocks  of  soil  or  in  a  shallow  border  rai.sed  near 
the  glass.  An  early  crop  may  also  be  grown  in  Sin  or  9in  pots. 
Ihey  are  portable,  and  convenient  for  removal  when  needed.  A 
sowing  of  .seed  may  be  made  now,  and  plants  obtained  for  a 
successional  supply.  Sow  in  pots  of  sandy  soil,  and  place  in 
a  temperature  of  Godeg.  On  the  seedlings  appearing  a  position 
near  the  glass  must  be  afforded  to  prevent  drawing  and  weaken- 
ing.  In  transplanting  Tomato  seedlings  for  the  first  time  it  is 
important  to  .sink  the  stems  to  the  level  of  the  seed  leaf.  Roots 
are  thus  emitted  into  the  soil,  and  the  whole  plant  strengthened 
considerably. 
CABBAGE — The  spring  Cabbage  will  be  greatly  benefited 
by  hoeing  between  the  rows.  If  the  soil  is  much  covered  with 
annual  w'eeds  it  will  be  more  convenient  to  fork  or  dig  between 
the  rows  and  bury  these.  A  light  .sprinkling  of  nitrate  of  soda 
round  the  plants  proves  helpful  in  accelerating  growth. 
— Lymington,  Hants. 
- - 
An  Observer’s  Notes. 
U')ider  this  hea'.ing  there  are  many  shcrrt  interesting  notes  oiur 
readers  might  send. 
February  14-20.  Plants  dedicated  to  each  day. 
Fri.  14  Yellowliammer  sings. 
Sat.  15  Small bloody-nose  beetle  seen. 
Sun.  16  Dandelion  flowers. 
Mon.  17  Jackdaw'S  build. 
Tu.  18  Spring  Crocuses  in  flower. 
Wed.  19  Greenflncli  sings. 
Thrs.  20  Blackbii’ds  mating. 
Crocus,  Cloth  of  Gold. 
Double  Pink  Primrose. 
Susian  Crocus. 
"Wall  Speedwell. 
Field  Speedwell. 
Venus’s  Navel-wort. 
White  Crocus. 
The  ruddy  crimson  flowered  Parrotia  furnishes  a  rich  effect 
on  the  sward  near  the  principal  entrance  gate  at  Kew  Gardens 
just  now.  It  is  almost  at  its  best. — R. 
There  are  some  excellent  Raspberries  growing  in  a  garden 
belonging  to  Mr.  R.  Thomas,  J.P.,  Cardigan  House,  at  Criccieth, 
Carnarvonshire.  A  visitor  from  Chester,  the  other  day,  re¬ 
marked  that  he  had  seen  a  Fuchsia  in  full  bloom  in  a  garden 
near  the  Marine. 
During  the  severe  weather  of  the  past  fortnight  large  crowds  of 
sea-gulls  have  taken  shelter  along  the  Thames,  and  have  been 
most  numerous  about  London  Bridge  and  by  the  Thames  Embank¬ 
ment  Gardens.  At  the  luncheon  hour  numbers  of  boys  and  men 
take  to  feeding  the  hungry  birds,  which  are  so  fearless  that  they 
will  sw'oop  dow’ii  and  lift  the  morsels  of  bread  almo.st  out  of  the 
feeders’  hands.  Circling  and  encirclifig,  they  tumble  over  one- 
another,  so  dense  are  they  packed  in  the  ar;  and  wdth  brown-- 
tipped,  silvery  wdngs  and  black  eyes,  they  afford  one  of  the  most 
interesting  sights  to  be  seen  on  the  Thames  at  London  at  the- 
present  time. — D. 
Meteorological  Observations  at  Chiswick. 
Taken  in  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society’s  Gardens  at  Chiswick — 
height  above  sea  level  24  feet. 
Date. 
Temperature  of  the 
Air. 
Temperature  of 
the  Soil. 
At  9  A.M. 
1902. 
sotion  0 
Wind. 
At  9  A.M. 
Day. 
Night 
Rain. 
At 
1-ft. 
deep. 
At 
At 
3  OQ 
"tJ  •**  ® 
®  flj  cfl 
?  2  ^ 
^  «  0 
9  ^ 
February. 
U  ' 
o 
Dry 
Bulb. 
Wet 
Bulb. 
•*a 
OQ 
0) 
bo 
£ 
Lowest. 
2-ft. 
deep. 
4  ft. 
deep. 
Jag 
Q 
Sunday  ...2 
E.N.E. 
deg. 
32-3 
deg. 
31'5 
deg. 
34-9 
deg. 
31-2 
Ins. 
001 
deg. 
35-8 
deg. 
400 
deg. 
44-0 
deg. 
24-4 
Monday  ...3 
E.N.E. 
32  7 
32-0 
35-5 
32-0 
0-06 
35-5 
39-7 
43-9 
29'3 
Tuesday  .A 
N.E. 
35-3 
34-0 
35-8 
32-5 
— 
35-5 
39  5 
43  6 
Wed’sday  6 
E.N.E. 
33-0 
320 
36-2 
32-5 
— 
35  7 
,39  3 
43-5 
30  0 
Thursday  6 
E.N.E. 
34-8 
33-2 
38-6 
330 
— 
35-9 
39  2 
43-3 
31'0 
Friday  ...7 
N.E. 
32-0 
30-5 
391 
31-6 
0  03 
36-4 
39-3 
431 
27-5 
Saturday  8 
S.E. 
34-5 
33-9 
37*3 
30  5 
005 
36  1 
39-3 
43  0 
23  1 
Means  ... 
33-5 
32-4 
36*8 
31-9 
Total. 
0-15 
35-8 
39-5 
43-5 
28T 
Dull  cold  w-eather  1  as  prevailed  during  the  past  week,  with  strong 
wind,  slight  rains,  and  snow  at  intervals. 
