Aftti-ch  'J, 
JOUllNAL  OF  nOllTWULTiJllF  AND  COTTAGF  GAllUENER, 
l)U(ls  to  fall  ;  but  on  no  account  overdo  it  and  make  the  Ijorders  sodden. 
Protect  the  outside  border  from  frosts,  snow  and  rains,  covering  it  wHh 
straw  or  leaves,  not  too  thickly,  otherwise  it  will  ferment,  which  will  do 
the  trees  inju  ry  ;  pla  ce  wooden  shutters  or  strips  of  galvanised  iron  on 
the  top  of  it. 
when  the  bu<ls  are  swelling  raise  the  temperature  again  5®  both  night 
and  day,  and  if  any  aphis  are  |)erceived  fumigate  with  XL  All  vajioriser. 
1  tiscontinue  syringing  when  the  buds  are  showing  colour,  but  damp  the 
border  and  paths  two  or  three  times  on  bright  days.  When  the  flowers 
expand  brush  them  over  at  midday  with  a  rabbit’s  tail  fastened  to  a 
stick,  to  distribute  the  pollen,  so  as  to  insure  a  good  crop,  and  when 
doing  so  keep  up  a  free  circulation  of  air  in  the  house.  After  the  fruits 
are  set  and  beginning  to  swell,  the  trees  should  be  syringed  again, 
morning  and  at  midday,  charging  the  evaporating  troughs  with  weak 
li(|uid  cow  manure,  and  raise  the  heat  to  r>5°to  (>0°  at  night,  (50°  to  65°  by  day. 
Attend  to  the  disbudding  and  thinniiiL*',  removing  a  little  at  a  time  and 
often,  because  removing  in  great  i|uantities  will  arrest  root  action  and 
cause  a  check  to  the  trees.  At  this  stage  when  watering  sprinkle  foine 
artificial  manure  on  the  borders,  so  that  it  may  be  washed  in,  and  use 
soot  water,  as  this  will  benefit  the  trees  during  the  swelling  of  the  fruit. 
I. ay-in  the  growths  which  are  intended  to  fruit  the  following  season, 
tying  them  very  loosely,  and  remove  laterals.  Do  not  force  the  fruits  too 
much  when  stoning,  for  it  subjected  to  a  high  temperature  it  will  cause 
them  to  drop.  When  stoning  is  completed  the  temperature  may  be  again 
increased.  Use  the  syringe  freijuenlly  to  keep  red  spider,  thrips,  and 
black  fly  at  bay. 
As  till-  fruits  begin  to  show  colour,  turn  them  up  to  the  glass  to  get 
the  full  hem  fit  of  the  sun,  and  remove  all  foliage  from  them,  keeping 
in  that  position  by  placing  them  on  labels  or  pieces  of  lath  tied  to  the 
trellis,  and  afford  a  temperature  of  65°  to  7b°  at  night,  70°  to  75°  by 
day.  With  signs  of  ripening  discontinue  syringing,  but  well  dump  the 
paths  and  border  on  sunny  days,  and  afford  a  little  air  at  night  to  improve 
the  (favour.  Look  over  them  twice  daily  and  gather  those  that  are  fit, 
and  if  not  required  to  be  used  forthwith,  they  will  keep  for  some  consider¬ 
able  time  it  stored  in  a  fruit  room.  After  the  fruits  are  gathered,  the 
trees  should  bo  pruned,  leaving  the  growths  that  are  to  fruit  the  following 
season  about  3  inches  apart,  and  on  the  top  side  of  the  branch  if  possible. 
Again  syringe  the  trees  two  or  three  times  daily,  taking  care  to  wet  every 
part  thoroughly  each  time  it  is  done,  and  give  plenty  of  air  on  all  favour¬ 
able  occasions.  Do  not  let  the  borders  lack  moisture,  and  when  watering, 
it  will  be  found  beneficial  to  the  trees  if  a  little  lime  is  sprinkled  on  and 
washed  in. 
The  following  varieties  are  suitable  for  early  use  :  Alexander,  Waterloo, 
Larlv  Beatrice,  Male’s  Early,  and  Royal  (ieorge  Beaches,  with  Cardinal, 
Early  Rivers,  Lord  Napier,  and  Violette  lliitive  Nectarines. — B.  B. 
WKK.fo^I'theWEEK.. 
A  I 
FRUIT  FOKCINC. 
Melons. — 'I'he  earliest  plants  in  houses  are  now  well  advanced,  and  if 
stopjied  when  they  have  extended  about  two-thirds  across  the  trellis 
laterals  follow,  with  fruit  showing  at  the  second  or  third  joint.  To  insure 
a  good  and  prompt  set  of  fruit  afford  a  bottom  heat  of  H0°  to  S.'i®, 
and  suflicient  water  only  at  the  roots  to  prevent  flagging.  This  will  arrest 
growth,  and  in  c  unbination  with  a  rather  dry  atmosphere,  a  circulatioii 
of  warm  air  passing  through  the  house  will  favour  the  production  of 
pollen.  W  hen  this  is  ripe,  fertilise  the  pistillate  blossoms  as  they  expand 
every  day,  and  sttip  the  shoots  at  the  same  time  one  joirt  beyond  them. 
When  the  fruits  cominence  swelling  earth-up  the  roots  by  placing  warm 
soil  against  the*  sides  of  the  ridges  or  hillocks.  Apply  water  as  reijuired, 
but  avoid  a  soddened  condition  of  the  soil,  duly  maintaining  moisiure  by 
sprinkling  the  paths  in  the  morning  and  evening,  and  .syringing  lightly  at 
closing  time  in  bright  weather.  If  a  succession  of  fruit  is  reqiiiretl  in  the 
same  house,  deprive  some  of  the  plants  of  the  flowers  that  appear  on  the 
first  laterals  Sto[)ping  tho.se  at  the  first  joint  will  came  the  sub-laterals 
to  show  fruit,  which  will  be  later  and  finer,  owing  to  the  increased 
vigour  of  the  (ilants. 
Vines.— Fi  io’tiV/  Vines  in  I’ots, — Those  started  early  in  last  November 
will  now  have  the  fruit  stoned  and  taking  the  last  swelling.  Surfacc-dress 
the  pots  with  rich  material  and  feed  with  liquid  manure.  When  the 
Crapes  are  evenly  coloured  supply  pure  water  only,  and  just  enough  to 
preserve  the  foliage;  fresh  and  the  fruit  p/ump. 
Earli/  Houses. — The  Vines  have,  as  a  rule,  made  satisfactory  progresv, 
but  there;  are  cases  in  which  the  Vines  have  starteel  slowly  and  breiken 
irregularly,  a  few  bunches  showing  a  tenelency  to  blindness,  anel  eithers 
twisting  anel  twining  in  any  but  the  right  direction.  In  such  instane-es  a 
slight  increase  of  temj)e*rature  and  a  reeluced  supply  of  moisture  for  a  short 
time  may  be  beneficial.  'I’hinning  the  berries  shetuld  bo  kept  well  in 
hand,  commencing  as  soon  as  those  likely  to  swell  freely  can  be  detected, 
and  as  a  rule  thin  well  in  the  interior  of  the  bunches,  leaving  the  berries 
with  room  to  attain  their  full  si/e  without  wedging,  and  yet  so  full  as 
not  to  fall  out  of  shape  when  placed  on  a  disli.  [liquid  manure 
applied  to  inside  borders  will  materially  assist  the  swelling  of  the  Grapes 
after  thinning,  but  it  is  best  to  vary  the  diet,  giving  a  top'dressing  of  some 
approved  fertiliser  about  every  three  weeks. 
A  liberal  supjily  of  atmosiiheric  moisture  is  also  necessary,  and,  if 
moderately  charged  with  ammimia,  it  is  beneficial  to  the  Vines  and 
inimical  to  red  spider.  It  may  be  secured  by  sprinkling  the  border  and 
paths  with  guano  water,  1  lb.  to  twenty  gallons  of  water  occasionally,  or 
tietter  still,  supply  a  mulch  of  sweetened  horse  droppings  a  little  at  a 
time  over  the  whole  border,  but  too  much  at  once  will  prejudicially 
affect  thi;  foliage.  Sharp  winds  necessitate  care  in  ventilating,  so  as  to 
avoid  sudden  changes  of  temperature  and  moisture,  and  thus  crippled 
foliage  and  rusted  (irapes  may  be  avoided.  Air  should  be  admitted  with- 
great  care  in  such  weather,  closing  early  in  the  afternoon  at  85°,  allowing 
an  advance  of  ,5°,  and  from  that  point  the  temperature  should  gradually 
fall  to  05°  at  night.  During  the  daytime  the  heat  should  be  maintained 
at  70°  to  75°  when  the  sky  is  overcast. 
Grapes  that  have  passed  the  stoning  process  ought  to  have  copious- 
supplies  of  liquid  manure  in  a  tepid  state.  Avoid  the  close  stojiping 
system  until  the  trellis  is  evenly  covered  with  foliage,  us  every  leaf 
promotes  root  action  and  assimilates  food,  which  it  is  necessary 
res](ectively  to  maintain  active  and  as  clean  as  (lossible  for  securing 
properly  swelled  berries,  hut  remember  that  this  also  depends  on  the  full 
exposure  of  every  leaf  to  the  light,  ihrrefere  avoid  the  least  tendency  to 
overcrowding. 
Surcessuin  Houses. —  Disbud  and  seciiio  the  growths  as  they  ailvance, 
stopping  them  two  joints  beyond  the  bunch  wliere  the  space  is  limited, 
but  where  there  is  room  allow  a  greater  extension  before  stopiiing. 
Remove  the  laterals  from  the  joints  below  the  show  of  fruit,  except  from' 
the  two  basal  leaves,  which  may  be  stopj  ed  at  the  first  leaf,  and  lo  one  after* 
ward.s  as  produced.  'I’he  laterals  above  the  fruit  may  be  allow  ed  to  make 
such  growths  as  can  have  exposure  to  light  without  crowding,  and  then- 
be  stopped,  keeping  them  closely  pinched  afterwards,  as  well  as  in  the 
case  of  those  having  room  for  extension.  Remove  all  superfluous  and 
ill-formed  bunches  of  the  free  setting  varieties  as  soon  as  those  most 
promising  for  the  crop  can  be  determined. 
Vines  started  at  the  beginning  of  the  year  will  be  in  flower.  A  rather 
dry  atmosphere,  with  a  free  circulation  of  air,  and  a  temperature  of  6.5? 
to  70°  at  night,  and  70°  to  75°  by  day,  are  conducive  to  a  good  set, 
moderate  moisture  being  maintained  by  damping  tbe  house  two  or  three 
times  a  day  in  bright  weal  her.  Any  shy  setting  varieties,  such  as 
Muscats,  should  be  kept  5°  higher,  the  flowers  being  carefully  fertilised, 
taking  pollen  for  the  purpose  from  those  varieties  that  afford  it  plentifully, 
such  as  Black  Hamburgh,  Foster’s  Seedling,  and  others. 
Late  [louses. — Start  the  Vines  intended  to  afford  fruit  from  Augttst 
onwards — indeed.  Muscats,  Alicantes,  Lady  Downe’s,  and  other  late  sorts 
should  be  encouraged  now,  as  the  fruit  keejis  much  better  when  ripened 
early  in  Sejitendier  than  when  the  season  is  more  advanced  at  the  ripening 
period.  fJros  Colman  and  Gros  (luillaume  re(|uire  a  long  period  of 
growth,  hence  start  them  without  delay.  Inside  borders  should  be  brought 
into  a  thoroughly  moist  condition,  but  avoid  needless  watering,  as  it  only 
tends  to  retard  root  action,  and  in  many  cases  causes  the  smalh'r  fibres  to 
decay,  and  shanxing  is  the  c  nsccjuence.  'I'ho  outside  borders  are  not 
benefited  by  protective  material  after  this,  but  care  should  bo  taken  to 
keep  the  stems  of  any  V'ines  that  are  planted  otitside  well  wrapped  in  hay- 
bands.  'I’he  atmosphere  will  be  kept  sufficiently  moist  by  damping  floors 
and  walls  two  or  three  times  a  day — 50°  is  a  proper  night  temperature, 
and  6.5°  by  day  with  sun.  Depress  any  young  canes  to  the  horizontal 
line  I  r  lower,  so  as  to  insure  their  starting  the  buds  evenly  throughout 
their  entire  length.  In  the  case  of  late  Black  Ilamburghs  the  Vines  may 
be  kept  cool,  and  they  will  then  start  naturally  next  month. 
THE  KITCHEN  GARDEN. 
Jerusalem  Artichokes. — 'I’he  weight  and  (piality  of  crop  is  greatly 
improved  when  this  vegetable  gets  fair  play.  Instead  of  being  allowed  to 
come  III)  thickly  on  the  same  site  year  after  year,  fresh  plantations  should  be 
made  each  season.  A  dee|),  well  manured  freely  worked  soil  best  suits  this 
crop.  Open  brills  about  (5  inches  deep  and  3  feet  apart.  In  these  plant 
either  medium  sized  whole  sets  with  the  first  strong  shoot  intact,  or 
cut  large  tubers  into  two  or  three  sets,  each  with  two  or  thrte  shoots 
or  eyes,  disposing  them  1  foot  apart.  In  all  other  respecis  treat  similarly 
to  Botatoes.  The  old  plantation  should  he  dug  over,  every  tuber  found 
thrown  out,  and  all  worth  saving  for  use  during  the  next  week  be  cleared 
of  sprouts  and  stored  in  sand  or  soil  till  wanted. 
Early  Carrots.— ( )nly  the  smaller  early  varieties  of  Carrots  should  be 
sown  as  yet  ;  early  sowing  of  the  Intermediate  and  longer  rooted  sorts 
resulting  in  the  production  of  coarse,  deformed  roots,  unfit  for  storing. 
A  small  portion  of  a  warm  border  or  slope  may  well  he  devoted  to  early 
Carrots,  and  this  should  he  got  into  as  finely  divided  a  condition  as 
possible,  adding  to  the  heavier  soils  a  dressing  of  sand  or  sandy  soil, 
forking,  not  digging,  this  in  and  mixing  it  with  the  surface  soil.  Draw 
shallow  drills  9  inches  apart,  sow  the  seeds  regularly  and  not  too  thickl 
and  cover  with  fine  soil. 
Chicory. — Large  Carrot-like  roots  produce  the  finest  tufts  of  leaves 
when  forced,  and  in  order  to  procure  these  a  fairly  long  period  of  growth 
must  he  allowed.  If  the  ground  was  well  maiiuied  for  a  preceding  crop 
of  any  kind,  all  the  further  preparation  is  deep  digging,  followed  by 
making  the  soil  fine  to  a  good  depth  Shallow  drills  should  be  drawn 
1  foot  apart,  the  seeds  sown  thinly  and  covered  with  fine  soil.  'I'he  seeds 
being  small  and  cheap  are  frequently  sown  thickly,  with  the  result  that 
nearly  or  quite  all  grows,  and  much  thinning  out  is  needed  accordingly. 
Onions. —  Directly  the  ground  can  be  got  into  a  suita'ole  condition,  the 
seeds  ought  to  be  sown.  If  the  ground. has  been  previously  heavily 
manured,  dug  deeply,  and,  if  of  a  heavy  nature,  laid  up  roughly,  it  may  be 
