March  27,  1902. 
278  JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Fruiting  Period  of  Pine  Apples. 
The  fruit  of  Pine  Apples  do  not  commence  to  form  much 
before  the  month  of  February  in  Florida,  and  it  takes  several 
montJis  for  them  to  mature.  They  are  grown  in  the  State  men¬ 
tioned  vei’y  extensively. 
The  Kumquat. 
Visitors  to  Florida  or  similar  far-southern  points  should 
secure  a  plant  or  two  of  the  Japanese  Kumquat  for  their  conser¬ 
vatories.  This  plant  is  a  dwarf  member  of  the  Citrus  family, 
and  abundantly  produces  small  “  Oranges,”  in  shape  and  size 
much  resembling  silkworm  cocoons,  but  a  trifle  larger  and  more 
nearly  round.  The  fruit,  though  slightly  acid  when  first  bit  into, 
has  a  rather  pleasant  taste.  It  is  excellent  for  preserving. — 
(“  Meehans’  Monthly.”) 
Primula  cortusoides  variety. 
This  hardy  Siberian  species  has  many  fine  forms,  but  none, 
surely,  that  surpass  the  variety  we  figure  on  page  277,  named 
P.  cortusoides  amoena  grandiflora  lilacina.  Such  a  name  almost 
saves  any  further  description!  It  is  a  quick  growing  plant, 
proving  useful  either  in  the  border  or  for  cut  flower  purposes. 
A  moist  position  out  of  doors  is  suitable  for  it,  and  the  soil  should 
consist  of  loam  and  peat,  with  a  liberal  supnly  of  gritty  sand. 
It  is  also  grown  to  great  advantage  for  greenhouse  decoration, 
from  seeds  sown  now. 
Melons  in  Frames. 
The  plants  sown  early  in  February  will  be  fit  to  plant  out, 
the  bed  having  been  made  for  them  and  the  soil  warmed, 
with  a  sweet  atmosphere  secured.  Where  a  successional  of  fruit 
has  to  be  maintained,  and  the  means  are  limited  to  frames,  a 
sowing  should  be  made  every  fortnight  or  three  weeks  up  to 
May,  making  fresh  beds  at  similar  intervals  to  receive  the  plants, 
so  as  to  maintain  an  unbroken  supply  of  fruit.  Maintain  a  night 
temperature  of  65deg  and  70deg  to  75deg  by  day,  this  being 
effected  by  timely  attention  to  the  linings  and  coverings  over 
the  lights  at  night,  admitting  air  from  75deg,  but  without  lower¬ 
ing  the  temperature  or  admitting  cold,  cutting  air,  and  keep 
through  the  day  at  80deg  to  85deg,  or  even  90deg,  securing  this 
well  on  towards  night  bv  closing  early  in  the  afternoon,  having 
due  regard  to  the  safety  of  the  foliage. — G.  A. 
Cucumbers  In  Houses. 
Increased  light  and  sun  heat  necessitates  a  correspondingly 
greater  supply  of  atmospheric  moisture,  therefore  damp  the 
house  in  the  morning  and  evening,  syringing  the  plants  lightly 
on  the  afternoon  of  bright  days,  or,  if  dull,  damp  the  floors  and 
wall  instead  of  syringing  the  plants.  A  night  temperature  of 
65deg  is  sufficient,  allowing  an  advance  of  5deg  when  the  external 
air  is  mild,  60deg  being  the  minimum  when  the  w'eather  is  cold. 
Get  the  heat  up  qarly  after  daylight,  so  as  to  have  a  temperature 
of  70deg  to  75deg  between  8  a.m.  and  9  a.m.,  ventilating  a  little 
at  the  latter  figure  with  the  prospect  of  an  advance  from  sun 
heat,  keeping  the  heat  from  this  at  80deg  to  90deg,  and  close 
early  so  as  to  secure  the  latter,  or  even  more,  from  that  source. 
Liquid  manure  may  be  given  once  or  twice  a  week,  and  the 
evaporation  troughs  kept  charged  with  it.  Liquid  manure, 
however,  is  best  given  alternately  vdth  top-dressings  of  chemical 
manures.  Cucumbers  requiring  phosphoric  acid,  potash,  and 
nitrogen  in  large  amounts,  hence  five  parts  superphosphate,  three 
parts  sulphate  of  potash,  and  two  parts  finely  crushed  nitrate  of 
soda  mixed,  and  applied  at  the  rate  of  2oz  to  4oz  per  square 
yard,  give  good  results  in  growth,  fruit,  and  immunity  from 
animal  micro-organisms.  Dressings  of  this  nature  sprinkled  on 
or  mixed  with  compost  as  top-dressings  about  every  three  weeks 
keep  the  plants  in  good  health,  other  conditions  being  favour¬ 
able.  Thin  the  fruits  well,  especially  on  plants  just  coming  into 
bearing,  stopping  the  shoots  one  joint  beyond  the  fimit,  removing 
superfluous  growths  and  bad  leaves  as  they  appear,  as  well  as 
tendrils  and  staminate  blossoms. — G.  A. 
Fruits  and  Flowers  of  Jamaica. 
Those  who  have  visited  Jamaica  are  loud  in  praise  of  its  floral 
beauty  and  the  abundance  of  its  tropical  fruit  and  vegetation. 
“  Governed  by  the  English,”  as  an  American  contemporary  puts 
it,  “  it  offers  every  opportunity  to  the  visitor  to  enjoy  its  natural 
beauties  and  inspect  its  industries.” 
A  Screen  and  Shelter  Belt. 
On  page  279  there  is  furnished  an  illustration  of  how  a 
dividing  screen  (to  be  also  a  shelter  belt)  can  be  formed  in  close 
proximity  to  the  mansion  and  to  add  a  feature  of  ornamental 
value  with  its  more  essential  qualities.  The  scene  speaks  for 
itself;  yet,  simple  as  these  ideas  are  when  thus  seen,  how  often 
one  finds  considerable  thought  required  to  meet  the  difficulties 
that  arise  in  garden  designing  or  in  altering  and  improving 
gardens!  Hollies,  Thuias,  Cupressus  nootkatensis,  Pinus 
austriaca.  Birches,  and  similar  trees  and  shrubs,  together  with 
suitable  plants,  could  be  used  for  such  a  belt. 
Raising  Young  Fig  Trees. 
This  is  a  good  time  to  propagate  young  plants  from  cuttings. 
Select  shoots  from  5in  to  Gin  in  length,  with  a  heel  of  last  year’s 
wood  attached,  and  remove  all  the  eyes  on  the  part  to  be  inserted 
in  the  soil.  They  root  freely  in  a  bottom  heat  of  75deg  ta 
80deg.— G.  R. 
Forced  Pot  Figs. 
The  Figs  are  now  swelling  rapidly,  hence  the  trees  require  to 
be  well  supplied  with  water  and  nourishment.  Liquid  manure 
from  tanks  may  be  given  whenever  water  is  required,  as  Figs 
are  gross  feeders ;  but  it  mu,st  not  be  applied  strong  nor  cold, 
but  warmed  to  the  .same  temperature  as  the  mean  of  the  house. 
If  the  pots  are  well  drained  it  is  scarcely  possible  to  afford  water 
too  copiously  when  the  trees  are  in  full  growth.  An  occasional 
sprinkling  of  some  approved  fertiliser  on  the  pots  will  be  bene¬ 
ficial.  The  night  temperature  may  be  continued  at  60deg  to 
65deg,  with  lOdeg  more  by  day,  and  from  sun  heat  advance  to 
80deg  or  85deg,  affording  adequate  ventilation  when  the  weather 
is  favourable.  Maintain  a  genial  atmosphere  by  syringing  the 
trees  twice  a  day  when  the  weather  is  bright,  but  avoid  keeping 
the  foliage  constantly  wet,  as  w'ould  be  the  case  by  syringing 
vigorously  in  dull  weather.  Damp  the  paths  and  walls,  and  keep 
the  evaporation  troughs  charged  with  liquid  manure  or  sprinkle 
the  paths  with  it  occasionally,  and  to  check  red  spider  paint  the 
hot-water  pipes  w'ith  sulphur.  Avoid  crowding,  stopping  or  tying 
the  shoots  as  growth  advances,  as  the  fruit  to  have  flavour  and 
colour  must,  when  ripening,  have  full  exposure  to  light,  combined 
with  a  circulation  of  warm  dry  air. — A. 
Jottings  on  Pines. 
Suckers  started  early  in  March  will  now  require  attention. 
The  pots  must  be  full  of  roots;  but  before  the  plants  are  root- 
bound  shift  them  into  lOin,  llin,  or  12in  pots,  watering  them 
a  day  or  two  previously,  so  as  to  have  the  soil  moderately  moist 
when  they  are  potted.  Take  advantage  of  the  removal  of  the 
plants  to  examine  the  beds,  replenishing  them  if  need  be  with 
fresh  tan,  mixing  it  with  the  old  tO'  a  depth  that  will  afford  the 
temperature  required,  namely,  95deg  at  the  base  of  the  pots, 
until  the  roots  reach  the  sides,  when  90deg  is  more  suitable. 
Keep  the  air  about  such  plants  well  charged  with  moisture 
during  the  time  the  house  is  closed,  employing  no  more  fire  heat 
than  is  absolutely  necessary  to  maintain  a  temperature  of  70deg 
to  75deg  on  mild  nights.  Ventilate  slightly  at  80deg,  liberally 
at  90deg,  closing  with  sun  heat  at  85deg,  at  w'hich  time  syringe 
the  plants.  Plants  started  into  fruit  early  in  the  year  are  fast 
approaching  the  flowering  period.  They  will  be  benefited  by  an 
occasional  sprinkling  at  the  time  the  house  is  closed,  but  when 
in  flower  they  must  not  be  so  treated.  The  foliage  being  as  yet 
tender,  it  will  be  desii’able  in  the  case  of  houses  -with  large  panes- 
of  glass  to  afford  a  slight  shading  for  an  hour  or  two  in  the  hottest 
part  of  the  day  for  a  few  weeks  until  the  foliage  becomes 
inured  to  the  sun’s  influence.  When  the  flowering  is  over  the 
fruit  will  advance  rapidly  if  the  roots  are  in  good  condition, 
and  plentiful  supplies  of  weak  liquid  manure  will  be  requisite. 
Attend  to  ventilation  early  in  the  morning,  commencing  when 
the  temperature  is  at  80deg,  and  closing  at  85deg  with  sun  heat. 
Keep  the  atmosphere  moist  when  the  house  is  closed,  and  the 
bottom  heat  steady  at  80deg  to  90deg ;  night  temperature  70degy 
by  day  75deg  from  fire  heat.  As  the  suckers  appear  remove  all 
but  one  to  each  plant. — Praotioe. 
