June  8,  1899. 
479 
JOURNAL 
OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Noclarinefi,  and  Morello  Cherries.  Disbudding  is  the  first  process  of 
removing  superfluous  growths.  When  the  shoots  attain  to  a  greater 
length,  those  not  required  must  be  cut  out.  The  growths  retained  ought 
now,  therefore,  to  be  laid  in,  securing  them  in  a  temporary  manner  in  the 
direction  they  are  ultimately  to  be  trained. 
Strawberries. — Cut  off  all  runners  as  quickly  ns  they  form  on  Straw¬ 
berries  planted  this  spring.  The  flowers  also  ought  to  be  nipped  out. 
Where  manurial  mulching  has  not  been  applied  to  fruiting  plants,  a  layer 
of  short  straw  should  be  laid  down.  Give  liquid  manure  to  plants  that 
iiave  set  Iruit.  The  later  fruiting  plants  may  have  a  mnlohing  of 
half-deca)'ed  manure  containing  short  straw.  Some  early  runners  from 
young  and  vigorous  fruiting  plants  ought  to  be  layered  into  small  pots  or 
on  turves.  l‘'ruiting  plants  must  be  well  supported  by  plenty  ot  water  or 
liquid  manure.  The  value  of  a  good  mulching  lies  not  only  in  providing 
a  clean  bed  for  the  fruit,  but  in  affording  nutriment  to  the  roots,  rain  and 
waterings  carrying  it  down  into  the  soil. 
FRUIT  FORCING. 
Peaches  and  Nectarines. — Earlii  Ho’ises. — When  frees  of  the  very  early 
varieties,  such  as  Alexander,  Wa  erloo,  and  Early  Louise  Peaches, 
Advance  and  Cardinal  Nectarines,  have  been  cleared  of  their  crops,  the 
shoots  on  which  the  fruits  were  borne,  if  not  required  for  the  extension  of 
the  trees,  should  be  cut  away  to  the  successional  growths  from  their  base, 
which  will  allow  light  and  air  free  access  to  the  foliage.  Syringe  forcibly 
Co  cleanse  the  leaves  of  red  spider,  and  if  this  and  scale  continue  trouble¬ 
some,  the  prompt  application  of  an  insecticide  will  be  necessary  to 
eradicate  the  pests.  It  is  highly  important  that  the  foliage  be  kept 
healthy,  and  to  prevent  over-maturity  or  premature  ripening  of  the  wood,  it 
is  necessary  to  keep  the  atmosphere  of  the  house  cool  by  ventilating  to 
the  fullest  extent  after  the  fruit  is  gathered,  excepting  when  the  weather 
be  unusually  cold  and  the  wood  somewhat  sappy.  Keep  the  borders 
moist,  and  in  showery  weather  remove  the  roof-lights.  Stop  the  laterals, 
especially  the  gross  ones,  but  avoid  giving  a  check  by  a  great  reduction 
of  foliage  at  one  time,  as  this  has  a  tendency  to  hasten  the  ripening  of 
the  growths,  and  when  such  is  the  case  the  trees  will  be  swelling  their 
buds,  or  casting  them  through  over-development  when  they  should  be 
vesting. 
Trees  of  Hale’s  Early,  Rivers’  Early  York,  Dr.  Hogg,  A  Bee,  Early 
Alfred  and  other  second  early  Peaches,  with  Early  Rivers  and  Lord  Napier 
Nectarines,  closely  follow  the  very  early  varieties,  and  are  now  ripening  or 
have  the  fruits  ripe,  the  house  not  being  started  later  than  the  new  year. 
Those  varieties  arc  succeeded  by  Stirling  Castle,  Royal  George,  Dymond, 
an  1  Crimson  Gaiande  Peaches,  with  Stanwick  Elriige,  Goldoni,  and 
Humboldt  Nectarines.  The  fruits  are  now  ripening,  and  must  not  be 
syringed  unless  the  trees  are  infested  with  red  spider.  When  water 
hangs  on  the  fruits  for  any  length  of  time  after  they  commence  ripening, 
the  skin  is  liable  to  crack.  The  trees  must  not  be  allowed  to  suffer  by 
want  of  water  at  the  roots,  but  any  excess  of  moisture  at  this  stage  has 
a  tendency  to  cause  splitting  at  the  stone.  Every  care,  therefore,  should 
be  taken  to  secure  good  finish. 
Houses  Started  in  January. — Where  the  trees  have  been  forced  for 
several  3-ears  consecutively  they  will  have  the  fruit  in  condition  descrilted 
cn  the  preceding  paragraph,  but  where  they  are  forced  for  the  first  time, 
or  have  progressed  gently',  the  finest  fruits  will  now  be  ripening.  The 
leaves  should  be  turned  aside  and  the  fruits  raised  on  laths  placed 
across  the  trellis,  and  secured  with  its  apex  to  the  light.  This,  however, 
ought  to  have  been  effected  some  time  ago.  and  the  fruit  will,  where  that 
has  been  done,  now  have  attained  a  good  colour.  If  the  weather  prove 
dull  and  wet  gentle  fire  heat  will  be  necessary  to  secure  a  circulation  of 
air  constantly,  the  temperature  being  ruaintained  at  60’’  to  65°  at  night 
and  70°  to  75°  by  day.  Cease  syringing  as  soon  as  the  fruit  begins  to 
ripen  or  soften,  and  take  care  to  have  the  foliage  free  from  red  spider 
before  the  syringing  ceases,  as  the  pest  otherw’ise  will  increase  so  rapidly 
whilst  the  fruit  is  ripening  as  to  seriously  jeopardise  future  crops.  See 
that  there  is  no  deficiency  of  moisture  in  the  i)order,  and,  if  necessary, 
give  a  thorough  supjply  of  water,  mulching  lightly  with  rather  short 
lumpy  manure,  such  as  that  of  a  spent  Mushroom  bed  or  partially 
decayed,  always  sweetened,  stable  litter. 
Succession  Houses. — Hurrying  the. trees  during  the  stoning  process  is 
sometimes  fatal  to  the  fruit,  therefore  give  time  for  this  most  exhausting 
essential.  Allow  a  free  circulation  of  air,  ventilating  early  in  the  morning, 
and  close  in  the  afternoon  with  abundance  of  atmospheric  moisture, 
so  as  to  raise  the  temperature  to  80°  or  85°,  and  ventilate  a  little  after¬ 
wards  for  the  night,  the  temperature  being  allowed  to  fall  to  between  60° 
and  65".  This  must  only  bo  practised  after  the  stoning  is  completed,  as 
a  close  atmosphere  has  a  tender  cy  to  promote  growth,  and  is  not  favour¬ 
able  to  that  process  ;  therefore  avoid  undue  excitement  when  the  trees 
are  in  that  condition.  When  the  fruits  have  stoned  remove  all  superfluous 
fruits,  and  turn  the  other  with  their  apexes  to  the  light  to  insure  colour 
and  even  ripening  from  the  apex.  Allow  a  rather  free  extension  of  the 
laterals  as  an  encouragement  of  root  action,  but  be  careful  not  to  crowd 
the  principal  foliage,  and  keep  insects  in  check  by  syringing  twice  a  day. 
■Give  thorough  supplies  of  water  through  a  light  mulching  of  lumpy 
material,  and  supply'  weakly  trees  with  liquid  manure.  Vigorous  trees 
will  not  need  more  than  a  surface  mulching,  as  high  feeding  will  only 
■cause  grossness,  which  must  be  avoided. 
Late  Houses. — Train  and  lio  in  the  shoots  that  are  to  carry  next  year’s 
crop,  allowing  them  to  extend  to  a  length  of  about  15  inches  or  more  if 
there  be  space,  or  stop  them  at  about  that  size,  and  pinch  laterals  to  one 
leaf,  being  careful  to  avoid  overcrowding.  Young  shoots  required  for 
extension  or  furnishing  the  trees  should  be  allowed  to  extend  as  far  as 
space  admits,  and  pinch  all  side  shoots  on  last  year’s  e.xtensions  that  are 
not  requireil  for  furnishing  the  trees,  so  as  to  form  spurs  and  secure  an 
equal  distribution  of  the  sap.  In  thinning  the  fruit  leave  a  few  more  than 
will  be  required  for  the  crop.  A  Peach  to  every  square  foot  of  trellis 
covered  by  the  trees  is  ample  to  secure  the  fino.^t  examples  of  the  large 
fruited  varieties.  The  medium-sized  and  Nectarines  may  be  left  a  little 
closer.  Keep  the  loaves  clean  by  syringing  twice  a  day,  and  always 
sufficiently  early  to  allow  the  foliage  to  become  dry  before  right.  If 
insects  cannot  bo  kept  under  by'  those  means,  promptly  apply  an  insecti¬ 
cide.  ]\Iulch  the  borders  w  ith  a  little  short  manure,  or  if  the  trees  are 
young  and  vigorous,  lighter  and  loss  rich  material  will  be  more  suitable. 
Water  thoroughly  whenever  necessary,  always  giving  sutlicicnt  at  a  time 
to  reach  the  drainage. 
IE  BEE-KEEPEI? 
Tkeatmext  of  Swarms. 
The  closing  days  of  IMay  were  remarkable  for  the  favourable 
change  in  the  weather,  the  maximum  shade  temperature  during  the 
last  three  days  of  the  month  being  over  70’.  From  early  morn  to  late 
at  night  the  bees  were  observed  returning  to  their  hives  heavily  laden 
with  ])ollen  and  honey.  There  being  such  a  wealth  of  bloom  in  all 
directions  it  is  not  surprising  that  stocks  increased  at  a  rapid  rate. 
If  the  bees  have  not  been  provided  with  extra  room  in  advance  of 
their  requirements  swarming  will  now  become  general.  From  reports 
to  hand  there  is  not  so  much  difference  in  the  forwardness  of  stocks  in 
the  northern  and  midland  counties  when  compared  with  those  in  the 
more  favoured  south.  This  is  doubtless  owing  to  the  mild  winter  and 
the  cold  backward  spring  that  has  been  general  throughout  the 
country. 
Early  swarms  must  be  treated  generously  if  good  results  are  to  ha 
obtained  during  the  present  season.  Should  a  sudden  change  take 
place  in  the  weather,  give  at  least  a  pint  of  thin  syrup  to  each  swarm 
every  evening.  This  will  enable  them  to  build  combs  or  draw  out  the 
cells  if  provided  with  comb  foundation,  so  that  when  a  favourable 
change  takes  place  thev  will  at  once  commence  to  store  a  surplus. 
All  arrangements  should  be  made  beforehand  so  that  there  may  be 
no  delay  in  hiving  the  swarm.  As  soon  as  the  bees  have  settled  thev 
should  be  shaken  into  a  straw  skep  and  placed  on  the  ground  near  the 
place  where  they  alighted.  The  skep  may  be  propped  up  a  couple  of 
inches  so  as  to  allow  the  bees  that  are  on  the  wing  to  settle  down,  as 
it  is  often  impossible  to  shake  all  into  the  skep.  They  must  be  .shaded 
from  the  sun,  and  as  soon  as  they  have  clustered  in  the  hive  it  will  be 
an  advantage  to  place  them  in  their  permanent  position. 
If  they  are  to  remain  in  the  skep  it  will  not  be  necess.sry  to  disturb 
them.  But  if  their  future  home  is  to  he  a  frame  hive,  prop  up  the 
hive  a  couple  of  inches  from  the  alighting  board,  place  a  sheet  of 
newspaper  in  front  of  it,  and  shake  the  bees  into  it.  A  puff  or  two 
of  smoke  will  cause  them  to  run  into  the  hive,  and  in  a  few  minutes 
they  will  he  comfortably  settled  in  their  new  home.  The  reason 
new'spaper  is  recommended  for  shaking  the  bees  on  is  the  readiness 
with  which  the  queen  may  be  seen.  Should  the  queen  be  left  on 
the  ground  by  accident  the  bees  would  not  remain  in  the  hive,  bi:t 
would  return  to  the  parent  stock. 
If  the  bee-keeper  is  at  all  nervous  about  shaking  the  bees  down  in 
front  of  the  hive,  the  same  end  may  be  obtained  by  removing  three  or 
four  frames  from  the  middle  of  the  hive  and  shaking  the  bees  into  the 
open  space.  Place  the  quilt  over  the  tops  of  the  frames  as  quickly  as 
possible,  and  after  the  bees  have  settled  down  and  clu.stered  between 
the  frames  the  combs  that  were  removed  may  be  replaced.  We 
prefer  placing  the  swarm  in  their  permanent  position  as  soon  as 
possible,  as  the  bees  commence  working  at  once. 
Some  bee-keepers  delay  the  operation  till  evening.  The  plan, 
however,  is  not  recommended,  as  for  several  days  afterwards  bees  may¬ 
be  seen  returning  to  the  spot  where  they  were  first  hived.  If  they 
are  lost  much  valuable  time  is  wasted.  Bees  at  this  season,  when 
honey  is  coming  in  freely,  will  often  carry  their  stores  into  other 
hives,  and  arc  not  molested. — Ax  English  Bee-keeper. 
Grouping-  Plants  in  Borders. — Some  of  the  most  effective 
groups  for  a  hardy  plant  border  which  I  have  had  for  early  flowering 
this  year  are  the  following  :  —  1,  Strong  plants  of  Doronicum  planlnginenm 
exeelsiim  profusely  flowered,  arising  from  a  groundwork  of  iMyosotis 
alpestris,  which  extends  well  beyond  the  Doronicum?,  and  is  also 
abundantly  flowered.  This  has  had  an  excellent  appearance,  and  been 
much  admired.  2,  Narcissus  poeticus  ornatus  <  n  a  foundation  of  Cliveden 
Purple  Pansies  :  this  is  still  attractive,  as  well  as  another  of  a  similar 
character,  but  with  deep  blue  Pansies.  3,  The  finely  variegated  and  well- 
known  Grass  Phalaris  arundinacea,  associated  with  the  blue  ordinary 
variety  of  Iris  germanica,  placed  a  foot  or  more  apart,  constitutes  another 
handsome  but  simple  bed.  Groups  of  this  kind  impart  much  interest  to 
extensive  borders. — L. 
