462 
JOURNAL  JF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
May  22,  1902. 
;as  possible.  Admit  abundance  of  air  in  the  daytime  where  the 
•fruit  is  ripening,  and  a  little  at  night  to  prevent  the  deposition 
of  moisture  on  the  fruit,  which  is  likely  to  induce  decay  at  the 
apex,  if  not  encourage  “  spot  ” — the  fungus  Glceosporium  Iseti- 
color- — which  is  rather  prevalent  this  year  on  Figs  and  Grapes, 
and  in  less  degree  on  Peaches  and  Nectarines. 
SUCCESSION  HOUSES. — A  moderate  amount  of  artificial 
heat  will  now  be  necessary  in  order  to  admit  a  free  circulation  of 
.air.  Remove  any  leaves  that  shade  the  fruit  too  much,  raising 
the  fruits  on  thin  laths  placed  across  the  trellis,  so  as  to  bring 
.■them  ■with  their  apexes  to  the  light.  Attend  regularly  to  tying 
in  the  shoots,  stopping  the  laterals  at  the  first  joint  as  soon 
as  made.  Any  shoots  that  cannot  be  allowed  to  extend  without 
•crowding  or  encroacliing  on  others,  stop  at  about  15in,  exception 
being  made  of  extensions.  Shoots  retained  level  with  or  past  the 
fruit  to  attract,  the  sap  to  it  should  be  stopped  to  one  or  two 
joints  at  each  break.  Syringing  must  be  practised  morning  and 
attemoon  to  keep  red  spider  under,  and  the  inside  border 
attended  to  frequently  with  water.  Admit  air  early  in  the  day, 
and  in  the  case  of  houses  glazed  with  large  panes  of  glass,  a 
double  thickness  of  herring  or  single  pilchard  netting  drawn  over 
the  roof  lights  is  beneficial  on  very  bright  and  hot  periods,  pre¬ 
venting  the  foliage  browning.  A  little  whitewash  from  a  fine 
rose  syringe  on  the  glass  also  diffuses  the  light  and  acts  favour¬ 
ably,  and  has  the  advantage  that  the  first  rain  wa.shes  it  off,  and 
gives  the  much  needed  light  at  dull  periods. 
LATE  HOUSES. — Let  there  be  no  delay  in  thinning  the 
fruit,  leaving  ve^  few  more,  after  the  fruits  attain  the  size  of  a 
Walnut,  than  will  be  required  for  the  crop,  up  to  which  stage 
the  thinning  should  be  gradual,  and  avoid  overburdening  the 
trees.  It  is  better  to  retain  too  few  rather  than  too  many  fruits, 
fine  examples  being  always  appreciated,  while  the  indifferent 
swelled  and  quality  lacking  are  a  source  of  complaint.  There  is 
no  greater  mistake  than  retaining  more  shoots  than  there  is 
room  for ;  if  the  rvood  is  not  properly  formed,  and  it  is  not 
solidified  as  made,  imperfect  buds  result.  If  aphides  appear, 
fumigate  on  two  or  three  consecutive  evenings,  having  the  foliage  ' 
dry,  and  being  careful  not  to  give  an  overdose;  or  apply  one  of 
the  advertised  insecticides,  carefrdly  following  the  instructions. 
Should  mildew  attack  the  foliage  or  fruit,  dust  with  flowers  of 
sulphur,  taking  care  to  reach  every  part.. — St.  Albans. 
The  Kitchen  Garden. 
OUTDOOR  TOMATOES. — There  is  but  little  gained  by 
planting  out  Tomatoes  too.  soon  unless  the  position  selected  for 
growing  them  is  a  sheltered  one,  where  the  cold,  cutting  ■winds 
frequently  experienced  late  in  the  month  have  no  direct 
acc^s.  If  a  little  protection^  how’ever,  can  be  given  them,  it  is 
desirable  until  the  weather  is  settled,  and  ■warmer  nights  pre^ 
vail.  For  growing  in  the  open  garden  the  planting  should  not 
be  done  until  quite  the  end  of  the  montli.  Plants,  waiting  for  an 
opportunity  to  be  inserted  should  not  remain  potibound,  but 
have  a  shift  into  a  larger  pot,  so  that  strong  growth  may  be 
luado.  Small  plants  must  b©  ©ncouragod  to  grow  strongly, 
CUCUMBERS  IN  FRAMES.- — Frames  that  are  now  being 
•emptied  of  bedding  plants  should  be  filled  with  some  good  heat¬ 
ing  manure,  covered  with  soil,  and  planted  with  Cucumbers. 
I  he  plants  will  quickly  make  headway,  and  soon  begin  to-  fruit. 
The^main  thing  is  to  maintain  a  growing  temperature,  which  is 
r^dily  done  by  closing  up  the  frames  early,  thoroughly  syringing 
the  plants,  the  soil,  and  surroundings  at  the  time.  When  only 
furnished  with  one  steiii  nip  out  the  points  of  the  plants  as  soon 
as  growth  fairly  commences,  and  .secure  the  growths  to  the  soil 
by  hooked  pegs.  They  will  root  at  the  joints  and  strengthen 
tire  plants  Further  stoppings  may  be  done  when  fruit  shows 
Occasionally  give  an  extra  dose  of  water  to  the  roots.  Should  the 
manure  be  very  hot  at  the  time  of  planting,  place  a  turf  sod 
grass  side  downwards  and  soil  heaped  over  this. 
EARTHING  POTATOES. — Potatoes  are  now  coming  freely 
through  the  ground,  and  may  have  the  earth  well  loosened 
between  the  rows,  and  drawn  up  to  the  plants  on  each  side 
With  the  growth  of  the  Potatoes  weeds  also  develop  therefore 
previous  to  earthing,  Dutch  hoe  the  soil  to  destroy  them,  doing 
this  on  a  hot  day  for  preference. 
STAKING  RUNNER  BEANS. — Allowing  the  growth  of  Scar¬ 
let  Runners  to  cliinb  up  long  stakes  is  the  best  and  most  profit- 
able  way  of  growing  them.  As  the  plants  are  now  coming  on 
rapidly  or  will  do  so  as  soon  as  warm  nights  prevail,  the  stakes 
should  be  fixed  at  once.  A  double  row  of  Beans  ought  to  have  a 
double  row  of  stakes,  these  being  spliced  together  near  the  top. 
DWARF  BEANS.—  Thin  out  the  plants  to  at  least  6in  apart, 
or  they  yill  not-  leceive  enough  <iir  and  Hglit  t<3  flower  and  fjruit 
freely.  Cut  down  weeds  and  draw  earth  to  the  stems  for 
support. 
LATE  CELERY  SEEDLINGS.- — The  young  seedlings  from 
the  latest  sowings  ought  now  to  be  pricked  out  on  a  good  bed  of 
soil,  placed  on  a  good  layer  of  manure.  Prick  out  sturdy  seed¬ 
lings  4in  apart,  sprinkle  daily  with  water,  and  shade  from' sun 
PLANTING  CELERY. — The  earliest  Celei-y  is  now  repre¬ 
sented  by  .strong  plants  with  abundant  roots.  These  lift  easily, 
and  should  be  planted  in  well  manured  trenches,  keeping  moist 
with  supplies  of  water  as  needed.  If  plenty  of  soil  can  be  se¬ 
cured,  to  the  roots,  shading  will  not  be  required  after  planting. 
ONIONS. — Young  Onions  may  be  dusted  freely  with  soot  as 
a  preventive  of  Onion  fly  and  a  stimulator  of  growth.  Frecxuent 
hoeings  with  the  Dutch  hoe  aid  the  growth,  pulling  out  the 
weeds  by  hand  from  among  the  plants.  Transplanted  Tripoli 
Onions  are  now  well  established,  and  may  have  occasional  light 
dressings  of  artificial  manure  applied,  with  liquid  manure  occa^ 
sionally. 
CHICORY,  being  a  useful  winter  salad  vegetable,  a  few 
rows  ought  to  bo  sown  now,  1ft  apart.  Deep  and  rich  soil  is 
essential  for  the  production  of  good  roots,  but  manure  must  be 
placed  the  bottom  spit  rather  than  near  the  surface. — East 
Kent. 
Kature  Notes. 
A  large  number  of  the  trees  at  Kew  have  had  their  tender 
young  shoots  injured  by  recent  frosts. 
In  Devon  and  Cornwall  Potatoes  have  been  completely  cut 
down,  and  more  especially  near  Halwill  and  Stratton. 
On  Monday,  May  5  5deg  of  frost  were  registered  in  a 
sheltered  garden  near  Chelmsford,  and  7deg  on  the  following 
night.  The  frost  has  saved  the  gardener  the  need  for  thinning 
his  fruit  crops. 
Potatoes  above  the  ground  during  the  second  week  of  May 
have  in  many  cases  been  injured  by  the  frosts.  Some  light  dry 
litter  scattered  over  the  tops  would  save  them.  Where  Dwarf 
or  Runner  Beans  have  been  sown  too  early,  the  plants  are  liable 
to  be  crippled,  and  it  is  best  in  such  cases  either  to  sow  again 
or  plant  out  some  which  may  have  been  raised  in  boxes  to  pro¬ 
vide  against  such  contingencies. — S. 
The  cuckoo  has  only  made  its  appearance  in  the  lower  reaches 
on  Sunday,  18th  inst.  It  reached  the  district  fully  a  fortnight 
ago,  but  it  usually  remains  in  the  hilly  district  some  time  before 
it  makes  its  domain  in  the  lower  parts.  The  corncrake  arrived 
a  little-  earlier  than  the  cuckoo,  and  took  up  its  residence  in  the 
lower  district  two  weeks  ago.  Both  these  emigrants  are  much 
later  in  making  their  appearance  this  season,  the  reason,  no 
doubt,  of  their  delay  being  due  to  the  cold  weather  on  this  side 
of  the  border.  The  swallow  has  not  yet  reached  us,  but  is 
expected  daily.  It  has  been  reported  to  have  been  seen  not 
far  distant.  The  cold  weather  has  been  playing  sad  havoc  with 
the  bees,  and  feeding  weaker  hfve^  at  the  present  time  is  most 
essential.  With  the  cold  east  winds  prevailing,  it  is  a  most 
trying  time  for  these  industrial  ■workmen.  Two  of  the  hives  here 
have  been  completely  lost — due  to  starvation.  Swarming  will 
be  much  later  this  season,  and  May  swarms  will  be  a  luxury  of 
the  past. — R.,  Newton  Mearns,  N.B. 
I  was  interested  to  read  of  the  capture  of  the  fly  mentioned 
in  your  two  last  issues  under  “  Nature  Notes,”  as  on  Sunday, 
the  11th,  I  took  an  insect,  which  I  expect  is  the  Bombylius,  and 
which,  from  its  buzz  and  general  appearance,  at  first  sight  I 
took  for  a  bee,  but  which  on  closer  inspection  was  found  to  differ/ 
I  send  herewith  the  insect,  and  after  you  have  examined  it  I 
should  be  grateful  if  you  would  return  it. — E.  A.  Btjnyard,  Maid¬ 
stone. 
The  fly  sent  is  no  doubt  a  Bombylius.  I  should  say  B.  minor. 
The  abdomen  has  a  white  central  line,  and  the  wings  are  spotted. 
Of  course,  it  is  a  flower-lover,  not  predatory.  I  think  the  larva 
is  subterranean  and  a  scavenger. — J.  R.  S.  Clifford. 
Trade  Notes. 
Rangome’s  La'wn  Moiarers. 
This  is  the  title  of  a  tiny  hand  list  (illustrated)  showing 
various  types  of  mowing  machines.  In  the  introduction  they 
say :  “  Ransomes,  Sims,  and  Jefferies,  Limited,  have  had  the 
longest  experience  of  any  firm  in  the  manufacture  and  sale  of 
lawn  mowers.  The  original  Budding’s  lawn  mower  was  made 
by  them  nearly  seventy  years  ago.  Since  that  time  they  have 
made  many  thousands  of  machines,  and  have  acquired  an 
unequalled  knowledge  of  the  varied  requirements  of  the  trade, 
so  that  they  are  fully  prepared  to  supply  machines  for  every 
purpose  where  lawn  mowers  are  available.  They  have  taken 
out  numerous  patents  for  lawn  mowers,  and  can  recommend 
with  every  confidence  the  machines  illustrated  and  described  as 
the  very  best  that  are  made.  They  desire  to  draw  special 
attention  to  the  many  improvements  introduced  in  their  cele^ 
brated  gear  and  chain  automaton  mowers  (given  on  pages  2 
and  5)_and  the  new  ‘'Empire’'’  mower  (on  page  6).  As  a  proof 
of  their  confidence  in  the  excellence  of  their  lawn  mowers, 
R.  S.  and  J.  allow  a  month’s  free  trial,  which  is  the  best 
guarantee  that  can  be  offered.  All  machines  are  sent  carriage 
paid  Ito  the  nearest  tailway  station.”  Their  works  are  at 
Ipswich. 
