172 
February  19,  1903. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE 
at  night  to  keep  the  temperature  between  40deg  and  45deg. 
This  will  insure  a  good  set,  of  fruit,  and,  by  liberal  ventilation 
afterwards,  the  crop  can  be  timed  so  as  to  ripen  at  the  desired 
period.  Where  the  blossoms  are  superabundant,  remove  those 
on  the  under  side  or  back  of  the  shoots,  drawing  the  hand  the 
reverse  way  of  the  growtlis.  See  that  there  is  no  aphides,  for 
cleanliness  is  all-important,  fumigating  if  there  be  the  least 
trace. 
LATE  HOUSES. — Unheated  structures  are  the  worst  possible 
when  the  roof  lights  are  fixed  in  an  early  season,  or  the  flowering 
is  early,  and  spring  frosts,  with  damp  and  cold  weather,  fre¬ 
quently  prevail,  so  that  the  set  of  fimit  is  often  better  on  walls, 
with  protection,  than  under  glass.  With  the  roof  lights  off  the 
buds  are  quite  dormant,  and  need  not  be  replaced  until  the  buds 
commence  swelling,  and  the  colour  “peeps”  in  the  forwardest. 
Under  fixed  roofs  ventilate  freely,  and  where  there  is  heat  merely 
exclude  frost.  Heat  is  absolutely  essential  in  cold  districts,  as 
the  blossom  is  not  safe  from  spring  frosts,  and  the  fi’uit  does  not 
ripen  perfectly  if  the  season  be  cold  and  sunless,  as  is  often  the 
case  after  forward  springs.  Besides,  a  gentle!  heat  during  flower¬ 
ing  does  much  towards  securing  a  good  set,  and  in  late  summer 
and  autumn  gentle  artificial  heat  is  sometimes  necessary,  and 
in  many  cases  of  doubtfulness  desirable,  to  make  sure  of  per¬ 
fectly  ripening  the  fruit  and  wood.  Indeed,  the  latest  varieties 
cannot  be  depended  upon  to  produce  good  fruit  in  cold  localities 
with  aid  in  backward  seasons,  and  some  of  the  latest  sorts  are 
noble  in  appearance,  good  in  quality  when  the  trees  are  well 
nourished,  a  little  heat  making  great  diffei’enoe  in  the  fniit  as 
regards  its  thorough  ripening.  Borders  that  have  been  exposed 
are  thoroughly  moistened  through  to  the  drainage,  and  will  not 
require  watering  until  the  fruit  is  advanced  in  swelling.  Inside 
borders  under  fixed  roofs  should  be  examined,  and  if  at  all  dry  bo 
w'ell  supplied  with  water.  The  liability  of  such  borders  to  become 
dry  w'hilst  the  trees  are  at  rest  is  one  of  the  chief  causes  of 
tlie  buds  being  cast  when  the  trees  should  be  developing  their 
flowers,  while,  in  the  case  of  exposed  borders,  bud-casting  is 
reduced  to  a  minimum. — St.  Albans. 
- - 
Young  Gardeners’  Domain." 
Books  for  the  Bothy. 
We  print  from  the  Report  of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society 
the  list  O'!  books  which  the  Council  recommend  for  study  to  those 
who  are  preparing  for  the  April  examination  in  horticulture,  held 
by  this  ^ciety. 
Primer  of  Botany,  by  Sir  J.  D.  Hooker,  K.C.S.I.  (MacMillan  and 
Co.,  30,  Bedford  Street,  W.C.),  Is. 
Elementai-y  Botany,  by  Professor  Percy  Groom  (Bell  and  Sons, 
Co  vent  Garden),  3s.  Od. 
Elementary  Botany,  by  J.  W.  Oliver  (Blackie  and  Sons,  50, "’Old 
Bailey,  E.C.),  2s. 
Agricultural  Botany,  by  Professor  Potter  (Methuen),  4s.  Gd. 
Agriculture,  b.y  R.  Hedger  Wallace  (Chambers),  3s.  Gd. 
Botany  for  Beginners,  by  Profe.ssor  Henslow'  (Stanford).  2s.  Gd. 
Floral  Dissections,  by  Professor  Henslow'  (Stanford),  4s. 
How  to  Study  Wild  Flowers,  by  Professor  Henslow  (R.T.S.), 
2s.  Gd. 
Structural  Botany  (Flowering  Plants),  by  Dr.  D.  H.  Scott 
(A.  and  C.  Black,  Soho  Square  W.C.),  3s.  Gd. 
Plant  Life,  by  Dr.  M.  T.  Masters,  F.B.S.  (Vinton  and  Co.,  9,  New 
Bridge  Street,  E.C.),  2s.  Gd. 
Plant  Breeding,  by  Professor  L.  H.  Bailey  (MacMillan  and  Co.), 
4s. 
Elements  of  Agriculture,  by  W.  Fream,  LL.D.  (J.  Murray,  Albe¬ 
marle  Street,  W.),  3s.  Gd. 
Primer  of  Horticulture,  by  J.  AVright,  V.M.H.  (MacMillan  and 
Co.),  Is. 
Physiology  of  Plants,  by  Dr.  Paul  Sorauer  (Longmans,  Green, 
and  Co.,  39,  Paternoster  Row,  E.C.),  9s. 
Chemistry  of  the  Garden,  by  H.  Cousins  (MacMillan  and  Co.),  Is. 
Disea.ses  of  Plants,  by  Profes.sor  H.  Alarshall  M’ard  (S.P.C.K., 
Northumberland  Avenue,  AV.C.),  2.s.  6d. 
Pi-ofitable  Fruit  Growing,  by  J,  Mwight,  V.M.H.  (Journal  of 
Horticulture,  12,  Mitre  Court  Chambers,  E.C.).  Is.  3d. 
Art  of  Budding  and  Grafting,  by  C.  Baltet  (Cro.ssby  Lockwood, 
Stationers’  Hall  Court,  E.C.),  2s.  Gd. 
Pruning,  by  Professor  L.  H.  Bailey  (MacMillan  and  Co.),  5s. 
Natural  History  of  Plants,  2  vols.,  bj'  Kerner  and  Oliver  (Blackie 
and  Son),  50s. 
Remarks  on  Crocking. 
This  most  important  item  is,  in  many  cases,  more  or  less 
carelessly  done,  instead  of  being  carefully  performed,  for  on  it 
hangs  inuch  of  the  success  or  failure  of  pot  plants.  The  lads  who 
have  this  task  to  perform  should  lay  to  heart  the  fact  that  it  is 
*  The  editor  invite.s  young  gardeners  wlio  are  readeis  to  contribute  tp  tlie 
Pomain,  and  lie  will  at  all  times  endeavour  to  ensure  the  iiublication  of  their 
letters.  ' 
A\D  COTTAGE  G ARDEN ER, 
one  of  the-  most  important  matters  in  potting.  It  is  not  suffi¬ 
cient  merely  to  place  a  few  pieces  of  broken  pots  in  the  bottom 
of  the  ones  to  be  crocked.  I  well  remember  telling  two  lads 
that  such  was  really  the  case,  and  my  remarks  were  received 
with  no  little  amazement,  and  turned  off  as, being  a  huge  joke; 
but  when  I  emptied  about  fifty  pots,  which  they  said  w-ere 
crocked,  they  seemed  to  think  there  was  something  in  it  after 
all.  “Crock  that  pot,  John,”  said  a  gardener  to  his  apprentice 
one  day.  John  had  not  crocked  a  jiot  before,  and  acted  accord¬ 
ing  to  his  deductions  by  lifting  a  hammer  and  smashing  the 
pot  to  smithereens! 
Now  that  the  repotting  of  plants  engages  our  attention,  we 
should  carefully  examine  all  pots  before  putting  a  plant  into 
them,  tO'  see  that  the  crocking  is  perfectly  done.  Great  numbers 
of  sickly  plants  with  soured  soil  are  the  result  of  careless  crock¬ 
ing,  and  many  heart-burnings  could  be  saved  the  journeymen, 
who  are  sometimes  blamed  for  careless  watering,  but  which  is 
really  caused  by  bad  drainage.  Let  those  of  uS,  therefore,  who 
have  charge  of  the  crocking,  see  that  it  is  performed  with  the 
greatest  care,  that  all  concerned  may  benefit  thereby. — Calypso, 
Derby. 
- - - 
TRADE  NOTES. 
Mr.  A.  lil.  Gwillim. 
We  learn  that  this  gentleman  has  started  in  business  as  a 
Begonia  and  seed  grower  at  Cambria  Nursery,  New  Eltham, 
Kent,  after  some  .years  with  Messrs.  J.  Peed  and  Son,  of  West 
Noi’wood. 
Recent  Catalogues. 
Hereunder  we  draw  attention  to  catalogues  of  special  note  re¬ 
cently  issued.  Messrs.  Webb  and  Sons,  Wordsley,  Stourbridge, 
have  published  their  invaluable  reference  to  farm  seeds  and 
manures.  It  is  admirably  illustrated  from  photographs  of  Corn, 
Turnip,  Mangold,  Pea,  and  Grass  crops,  and  includes  Potatoes. 
Our  Home  farmers  will  find  it  a  useful  catalogue,  and  one  they 
must  not  be  without. 
Mr.  H.  J.  Jones,  of  Ryecroft,  Lewisham,  has  combined  his 
plant  list  with  that  of  his  seeds  and  new  Chrj'santhemums.  For 
an  up-to-date  collection  of  popular  greenhouse  plants,  including, 
of  course,  Chr.vsanthemums,  this  is  to  be  commended. 
Messrs.  Kelway  and  Son,  Langport,  Somerset,  again  produce 
their  magnificent  “  Manual,”  a  most  compendious  publication, 
perhaps  unequalled  for  the  elaborate  st.yle  of  its  get-up  in  this 
countr.y,  and  forming  an  horticultural  book  over  -which  many 
hours  could  be  profitably  spent.  It  embraces  all  sections  of 
garden  plants  and  products. 
Peter  Henderson  and  Co.,  of  New  York,  send  over  a  very  com¬ 
plete  list,  tightly  packed  with  descriptions  of  varieties  and  nian.y 
illustrations  (including  implements),  the  catalogue  rivalling  in 
.size  that  of  a  Sutton,  Veitch,  Webb,  or  Carter.  As  an  index  to 
American  floricultural  and  culinai*y  selections,  it  is  a  commend¬ 
able  work. 
Messrs.  Ant.  Roozen  and  Son,  nurserymen,  of  Overveen,  near 
Haarlem  (general  agents  for  Great  Britain,  Mertens  and  Co.,  3, 
Cross  Lane,  St.  Mary-at-Hill,  London,  E.C.),  publi.sh  a  catalogue 
of  bulbs  .suitable  for  spring  planting,  including  vegetables  and 
flower  .seeds.  From  Mr.  John  Forbes,  of  Hawick,  come  his  ex¬ 
tensive  lists  of  florists’  flowers  and  hardy  border  plants. 
- - 
Meteorological  Observations  at  Chiswick. 
Taken  in  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society’s  Gardens  at  Chis- 
w'ick,  height  above  sea  level  24  feet. 
Date. 
!  Direction  ol 
Wind.  ! 
Temperature  of  the 
Air. 
Bain.  j 
.  .  1 
Temperature  of 
the  Boil. 
At  9  A.M. 
Lowest 
Temperature 
on  Grass. 
1903. 
February. 
At  9  A.M. 
Day. 
Night 
At 
1-ft. 
deep. 
At 
2-ft. 
deep. 
At 
4-ft. 
deep. 
Dry 
Bulb. 
Wet 
Bulb. 
49 
OQ 
« 
A 
to 
« 
Lowest. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
Ins. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
Sunday  ...  8 
S.W. 
52  2 
50-7 
54-2 
48-2 
— 
44  9 
43-8 
44-7 
46  3 
Monday  ...  9 
S.W. 
52-9 
50-3 
56.’4 
51-0 
— 
46-4 
44-5 
45-0 
48-0 
Tuesday  ...10 
W.S.W. 
48-9 
47-7 
55-1 
48-9 
— 
46-9 
45-3 
45-0 
40-3 
Wed’sday  11 
S.W. 
46-1 
44-9 
55-4 
43-9 
— 
46-1 
45-8 
45-2 
37-0 
Thursday  12 
W. 
45-5 
43-5 
53-1 
44-2 
— 
45-9 
45-8 
45-3 
32-3 
Friday  ...13 
N.N.W. 
399 
38-6 
46-9 
34-8 
— 
44-5 
45-7 
45-8 
23-6 
Saturday  14 
1 
W.S.W. 
41-6 
40-3 
49-3 
35-5 
42-9 
45-2 
45-8 
24-9 
Total. 
Means  ... 
46-7 
45-1 
52-9 
43  8 
— 
45-4 
45-2 
45  4 
36-1 
A  fine  mild  week  with  bright  sunshine  on  most  of  the  days.  No 
vain  has  fallen  since  the  7th  inst. 
