352 
HOIii'K'UL'rUHE  AXD  COTTA  GE  GABDE^ER. 
April  17,  1902. 
FEEDING. — When  the  Vines  are  in  fnll  leaf  and  the  Grapes 
swelling,  they  require  abundant  supplies  of  nourishment.  This 
may  be  given  in  liquid  form,  but  it  is  not  by  any  means  the 
safest  method,  as  an  over-strong  dose  sometimes  destroys  the 
fibrous  roots.  Shanking  also  often  follows  stuffing  the  soil  with 
organic  matter  held  in  suspension.  All  the  advertised  fertilisers 
ai'e  excellent  and  handy.  It  is  best  to  give  the  borders  a  thorough 
supply  of  water,  then  supply  the  fertiliser  and  water  in 
moderately.  By  this  procedure  there  is  no  fear  of  losing  any 
virtue  the  fertiliser  contains,  but  when  it  i$  given  on  a  dry 
border,  and  followed  by  a  heavy  watering,  it  is  likely  to  be 
washed  into  the  drainage,  and  roots  be  encouraged  at  the  bottom 
of  the  border  instead  of  near  the  surface.  A  light  mulch  of  short 
manure  will  be  of  advantage  in  keeping  the  border  uniformly 
moist. 
LATE  HOUSES. — The  Vines  are  now  making  rapid  progress. 
Disbud  and  tie  out  the  growths  as  they  require  it.  Close  the 
house  early  in  the  afternoon  with  sun  heat,  and  maintain  plenty 
of  atmospheric  moisture  by  frequently  damping  the  houses  and 
syringing  the  Vines  at  closing  time,  "but  not  after  the  bunches 
show.  Late  Hamburghs  are  starting  naturally,  and  need  only 
have  a  little  fire  heat  to  exclude  frost. 
YOUNG  VINES. — It  will  be  necessary  to  afford  a  gentle  fire 
heat  in  cold  weather  to  keep  the  Vines  in  steady  i>rogress,  other¬ 
wise  they  are  best  allowed  to  start  naturally,  and  secure  a 
sturdy  growth  by  judicious  ventilation.  Disbud,  leaving  the  best 
shoots  on  both  sides  of  the  canes,  and  alternately  at  about  18in 
distance  apart.  The  canes  will  have  been  depressed,  so  as  to 
cause  them  to  break  regularly  down  to  the  basal  buds,  when  they 
anay  be  tied  in  position.  Crop  lightly,  one  or  two  bunches  being 
the  maximum  on  permanent  Vines.  Any  supernumeraries  planted 
to  fruit  early,  and  afterwards  be  cut  out,  may  carry  a  bunch  on 
each  shoot,  six  or  eight  bunches,  however,  are  as  many  as 
vigorous  Vines  can  bring  to  perfection,  and  fewer  should  be  left 
on  weakly  canes. — St.  Albans. 
- - 
Observers’  Notes. 
Under  this  heading  there  are  ma7iy  short  interesting  notes  otir 
readers  might  semi. 
It  will  be  noticed  that  the  song  thrushes  are  now  busil3' 
engaged  in  searching  for,  and  carrying  of,  worms.  The  earliest 
broods  hatch  about  this  time.  The  squirrel  builds  now.  Soon 
the  nightingale  will  be  heard. — D. 
*  *  * 
The  Daffodil  beds  at  Ivew  began  to  make  a  show  on'  Sunday 
last,  the  sunshine  having  a  Avonderful  effect  on  N.  incomparabiiis 
Sir  Watkin,  bicolqr  Dean  Herbert,  and  Emperor.  The  Horse 
Chestnuts  have  foliage  that  is  half  expanded. 
*  *  * 
I  am  pleased  to  report  having  heard  the  cuckoo  on  Saturday. 
12th  inst.,  and  jmsterday  (Sunday),  13th  inst.,  saAV  a  house 
martin. — Alice  Baker,  Petersfield,  Hants. 
Early  Swallows. 
A  correspondent  to  the  “  Gardeners^  Chronicle,”  last  iveek, 
writes; — “I  saiv  a  sn-alloiv  feeding,  strong  on  the  iving,  near 
Shepperton,  on  April  3,  the  earliest  I  have  ever  noted. — D.” 
- - 
Meteorological  Observations  at  Chiswick. 
Taken  in  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society’s  Gardens  at  Chisivick _ 
height  above  sea  level  24  feet. 
Date. 
Temperature  of  the 
Air. 
Temperature  of 
the  Soil. 
At  9  A.M. 
1902. 
•2  a" 
1’^ 
At  9  A.M. 
Day. 
Night 
s 
P? 
At 
1-ft. 
deep. 
U  > 
n  03 
CO 
s  g  s 
^  <bcQ 
April. 
O 
Dry 
Bulb. 
Wet 
Bulb. 
CC 
01 
’to 
S 
•IS 
CC 
<D 
O 
2-ft. 
deep. 
A  (j 
4-ft. 
deep. 
J  s  B 
g  o 
ei 
Sunday  ...  6 
N.N.W. 
deg. 
42-7 
deg. 
37-8 
48*1 
deg. 
37-5 
Ins. 
deg. 
45-1 
deg. 
45.8 
deg. 
45-8 
deg. 
31-5 
Monday  ...  7 
N.N.E. 
40-9 
36-8 
45-1 
29-0 
_ 
43'b 
45-7 
45-8 
18-4 
Tuesday...  8 
N.N.E. 
39-3 
36-3 
43'1 
37-0 
_ 
43-5 
45-3 
45-8 
27-3 
Wed’sday  9 
N.N.E. 
41-7 
37-8 
46-9 
35-4 
_ 
42-4 
44-7 
45-8 
23-6 
Thursday  10 
N.N.E. 
41-7 
37-4 
46-6 
37'5 
_ 
42-7 
44-4 
45-8 
33-0 
Friday  ...11 
E.N.E. 
45-1 
40-9 
49-1 
35-8 
0-07 
42-6 
44-3 
45-8 
29'2 
Saturday  12 
E.S.E. 
44-1 
41-9 
52-4 
40'2 
0-01 
43-4 
44-3 
45-7 
38-0 
Means  ... 
42-2 
38-4 
47-3 
36-1 
Total. 
0-08 
43-4 
44-9 
45-8 
28-7 
A  dull,  sunless  week,  with  bleak  north-east  ivind. 
***  All  correspondence  relating  to  editorial  matters  should  be  directed 
to  The  Editor,”  12,  Mitre  Court  Chambers,  Fleet  Street, 
London,  E.C.  It  is  requested  that  no  one  ivill  write  privately 
to  any  of  our  correspondents,  seeking  information  on  matters 
discussed  in  this  Jommal,  as  doing  so  subjects  them  to  unjustifiable 
trouble  and  expense. 
RHUBARB  (J.  Hood). — The  Elford  is  scarlet-stalked; 
Britannia,  dark  pink  ;  Randall’s,  dark  pink  ;  and  Myatt’s  Victoria, 
crimson.  We  never  heard  of  the  Peach  Rhubarb. 
ADDRESS  OP  ENGLISH  ARBORICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
(B.  S.). — The  secretary  and  treasurer  is  Mr.  John  Davidson,  and 
his  address  the  Estates  Office,  Hadyon-Bridge-on-Tyne. 
PRIMULA  SIEBOLDI  LILACINA :  A  QUERY.— A  corre¬ 
spondent  desires  'bO'  know  where  he  may  obtain  seeds  of  thei  above. 
Any  of  our  readers  who  may  know  avouIcI  oblige  by  giving  us  an 
address. 
LIMING  GROUND  FOR  POTATOES  (Amateur).— A  dress¬ 
ing  of  lime  Avould  be  highly  beneficial,  and  that  knoAvn  as 
“  land  ”  lime  is  most  suitable.  It  should  be  used  in  a  quick  state, 
and  at  the  rate  of  tAvo  bushels  per  100  square  ymrds.  The  lime 
should  be  applied  before  planting — i.e.,  spread  on  the  surface  and 
lightly  forked-ill. 
DEODORISING  SEWAGE  (G.  Hughes). — The  earth  is  one 
of  the  best  deodorisers.  If  the  liquid  be  distributed  by  a  AA'ater- 
cart  toAvards  eAmiiing  Ave  belieAm  there  Avoidd  be  little  or  no 
offensive  smell  detectable  next  morning.  Half  a  liundredAveight 
of  sulphate  of  lime  (gypsum)  might  be  mixed  Avith  each  one 
hundred  gallons  of  the  seAA'age. 
NEAPOLITAN  VIOLETS  (Idem). — Divide  the  plants  into-  as 
many  parts  as  you  can,  preserving  a  little  root  to  each  division 
or  sucker,  and  these  plant  out  in  good  rich  light  soil  in  a  shady 
border,  a  foot  apart  every  waj.  Water  Avell  during  dry  Aveather. 
Keep  all  runners  cut  off  as  they  appear,  or  if  you  AA’ant  stock  they 
may  be  layered;  but  the  plants  aaTII  not  be  so  good  for  floAvering 
as  those  wdiich  Avere  not  alloAved  runners.  RemoAm  Avith  balls  to 
a  frame  at  the  close  of  September,  or  they  may  be  potted. 
ROSE  HOUSE  (F.  E.). — If  you  haim  Roses  upon  the  roof  so 
as  to  cover  it,  the  space  beneath  will  be  made  too  dark  for  the 
successful  cultivation  of  dwarfs.  One  up  each  rafter  AA’ould  be  a 
different  thing  to  covering  the  roof,  but  even  those  ought  not  to 
have  a  greater  spread  than  12in  to  loin,  leaAung  a  clear  space 
betAveen  each  of  2ft  to  2Ht,  Avhich  Avill  admit  of  light  to  the 
dAvarf  plants.  Cocoa-nut  fibre  refuse  is  not,  unless  thoroughly 
reduced,  good  for  pot  Roses,  and  in  that  state  is  a  desirable 
addition. 
PEARS’  BLOSSOM  BUDS  ON  LEADING  SHOOTS  (I.  S.).— 
This  is  not  an  uncommon  occurrence,  and  cannot  be  preAmnted ; 
leaf  buds  Avill  start  further  doAvn  on  the  young  AA’ood,  and  must 
be  trained  in  the  same  place  that  the  leading  buds  Avould  have 
been  trained.  We  have  seen  aaMIs  14ft  high  furnished  from  the 
base  to  the  summit  Avith  trees  trained  as  yours  are,  but  they  Avere 
on  the  Pear  stock.  The  Quince  stock  is  used  AA'hen  dAvarf  trees 
are  required ;  but  even  on*  the  dAvarf  stock  the  .same  height  may 
be  attained. 
TAKING  MEASUREMENTS  OF  RAINFALL  (G.  C.).— You 
must  procure  a  rain  gauge,  a  copper  cylinder  with  graduated 
glass  measure,  divided  to  lOOths  of  an  inch,  price  about  18s.  6d., 
and  place  it  in  an  open  situation  AA’here  not  affected  by  trees  or 
buildings.  Each  day  you  will  need  to  examine  it  at  a  given  hour, 
say  9  a.m.,  and  measure  the  Avater  in  the  receiver,  registering 
this  in  a  book,  and  keep)  each  month  separate,  summing  up  at 
each  month  end,  and  then  again  for  the  year.  Nothing  cou]d  be 
more  simple. 
APPLYING  FERTILISER  TO  VINE  BORDER  (R.  A.  C.).— 
No'  doubt  the  double  sulphate  of  potash  and  magnesia  is  difficult 
tO'  procure,  it  not  being  an  often  asked  for  article,  and  is  really 
a  somewhat  more  concentrated  form  of  potash  than  kainit,  con¬ 
sisting  of  a  double  sulphate  of  potash  and  magnesia  (K2Mg2SO^). 
It  is,  Ave  think,  the  best  form  in  Avhich  potash  can  be  .supplied  to 
the  majority  of  soils,  and  especially  to  lieaAq^^  land.  The  magnesia 
adds  materially  to  the  value  of  the  article  Avithout  any  practical 
increase  in  the  price.  If  you  Avrite  to  Me.ssrs.  Hy.  Richardson 
and  Companjq  Skeldergate  Bridge,  York,  3mu  may  find  that  it  is. 
a  commercial  article.  It  is  not  generall3'  advisa.ble  to  give 
another  dressing  of  thei  manure  after  trimming  and  again  at  the 
last  SAAclling,  but  use  the  folloAA'ing  :  — Dissolved  bones,  three 
parts,  nitrate  of  potash  two  parts,  and  sulphate  of  lime  one  part', 
applying  4oz  of  the  mixture  per  square  yard. 
