June  4,  1903. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AXD  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
501 
pots  of  very  beautiful  Streptocarpus.  A  cultural  Certificate  was 
awarded  Mr.  Siiiale.  Mr.  Wood,  Oswald  House,  exhibited  some 
nice  specimens  of  Odontoglossum  crispum.  Mr.  Todd,  flori.st, 
iSbandwick  Place,  exhibited  three  veiy  beautiful  pans  of  Violas. 
The  varieties  were  IMarchioness  (a  beautiful  white),  W.  H. 
Welsh,  and  Redbraes  Yellow,  both  handsome  yellows.  Messrs. 
Grieve  and  Sons  .exhibited  some  interesting  hardy  flowers  and 
a  beautiful  seedling  fancy  Pansy  named  King  Edward,  to  which 
a  certificate  was  awarded.  A  vote  of  thanks  to  the  chairman 
brought  the  proceedings  to  a  close. 
Fruit  Forcing. 
VINES :  EARLY  HOUSE.— As  soon  as  the  Grapes  are 
cleared,  give  the'  inside  borders  a  thorough  suppl_y  of  liquid 
manure,  or  a  top-dressing  of  fertiliser  Ava.shed  in.  One  of  the 
best  artificially  compounded  manures  for  Vines  after  the  crops 
are  cleared,  and  also  as  a  winter  dressing,  is  composed  of  three 
parts  dissolved  bones,  drj'  and  crumbling,  two  parts  double  sul¬ 
phate  of  potash  and  magnesia  (refined  kainit),  and  one  part 
ground  gypsum,  mixed,  applying  4oz  to  8oz  of  the  mixture  per 
square  yard,  and  pointing  into  the  border  lightly.  Keep  the 
rentilators  open  constantly,  even  in  cold  weather.  Syringe 
thoroughly  tO'  oleanse  the  foliage,  and  repeat  occasionally  to 
keep  the  old  leaves  healthy.  Fresh  laterals  will  soon  be  pro¬ 
duced,  and  cultivators  should  maintain  an  even  growth  all  over 
the  Vines,  pinching  the  gross  laterals  and  encouraging  the  weak. 
The  mulching  or  covering  having  been  removed  from  the  out¬ 
side  border,  with  just  enough  of  the  lighter  part  left  to  protect 
the  roots,  a  good  watering  may  be  given  with  liquid  manure, 
but  this  will  only  be  needed  where  no  rain  has  fallen.  Avoid 
heavy  mulching,  an  inch  or  two  thickness  of  sweetened  horse 
droppings  for  inside  borders  is  quite  suflficient,  similar  material 
being  used  for  outside  borders. 
SECOND  EARLY  HOUSE. — Vines  started  at  the  new  year 
have  the  Grapes  ripening,  but  thei'e  is  fully  a  fortnight  or  three 
weeks^  difference  in  the  time  of  ripening  between  Vines  carrying 
light  crops  and  those  with  heavy  burdens.  Maintain  a  circula¬ 
tion  of  warm,  rather  dry,  air  constantly,  increa.sing  the  ventila¬ 
tion  early.  Keep  the  floors  well  damped  on  hot  days,  Avith  a 
view  tO'  check  excessive  eAmporation,  alloAving  the  temperature 
to  fall  to  GOdeg  at  night  when  cold,  or  Godeg  evhen  Avarm.  Avith 
sufficient  Avarmth  in  the  pipes  to  preent  Avater  condensing  on  the 
berries.  If  there  is  likely  to  be  any  AA-ant  of  finish,  alloAA-  the 
Vines  time  by  girung  as  long  a  rest  at  night  as  possible.  If 
there'  is  any  doubt  about  the  roots  lacking  moisture,  examine 
the  border,  and  if  found  necessaiy,  give  a  thorough  soaking  on 
the  morning  of  a  fine  day,  and  AAdien  soaked  in  mulch  Avith  a 
little  light  material.  Moclerate  motsture  is  essential  to  the 
health  of  the  foliage,  hence  damping  the  floor  must  be  resorted 
to  occasionally,  as  there  is  no'  fear  of  damaging  ripe  Grapes  at 
this  season,  if  only  it  be  accompanied  Avith  air  ;  besides,  the 
moisture  will  assist  in  keeping  the  Grapes,  and  to  preA^ent 
colour  being  taken  out  of  Hamburghs  a  double  thickness  of 
herring  net  should  be  clraAvn  over  the  roof  lights,  AIIoav  a 
moderate  extension  of  the  laterals  to  encourage  root  action, 
GRAPES  SCALDING. — Muscats  and  other  A’arieties,  particu¬ 
larly  Lady  Downei’s,  in  the  later  .stages  of  stoning  are  liable  to 
sC'Uld;  therefore  must  be  Avatched  in  hot,  bright  Aveather,  and  air 
admitted  more  freely  for  a  fortnight  or  three  AAeeks.  or  until 
colouring  commences,  Avhen  all  danger  Avill  be  over.  Black 
Hamburghs  are  also  sometimes  scorched  Avhen  the  berries  are 
exposed  to  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun,  Avhich  can  mostly  be 
avoided  by  a  good  spread  of  foliage,  and  remedied  by  a  bountiful 
supply  of  air  by  day,  and  a  little  constantly  increased  early  in 
llie  day,  AAuth  a  genial  Avarmth  in  the  hot  Avater  pipe's. — 
St.  Albans, 
Kitchen  Garden 
OUTDOOR  TOMATOES, — Where  a  faAmurably  situated  AA’all 
or  fence  exists,  or  an  open  sunny  plot  of  ground,' Tomatoes  ma.y 
be  planted  out.  In  front  of  AAarm  AAalls  on  a  faA’ourable  aspect, 
and  sheltered  from  rough  Avinds  is  an  excellent  place.  The  chief 
thing  must  be  in  jhese  positions  to  maintain  throughout  the 
season  adequate  supplie.s  of  Avater  to  the  roots.  Sturdv  plants 
must  be  planted  out,  and  they  should  IiaAd?  a  fair  lot  of  roots.  If  1 
the  plants  are  of  a  size  sufficient  to  have  produced  floAvers  and 
perhaps  set  some  fruit,  they  are  in  a  fair  Avay  for  doing  well. 
The  soil  must  be  fertile  and  substantial,  adding  but  little  manure, 
Avhich  should  be  of  a  Avell  decomposed  character.  Some  bone- 
meal  and  Avood  ashes  may  be  intermixed  Avith  the  material.  In 
planting  make  the  soil  firm  about  the  roots.  Secure  the  main 
stem  to  a  stake  or  nail  upright  to  the  AA’all.  Continue  to  secure 
the  stems  as  they  lengthen,  at  the  .same  time  rubbing  out  the  side 
shoots  Avhich  issue  from  the  axils  of  the  leaA'es. 
EARLY  CELERY. — Celery,  noAv  sturdy  and  strong  in  the 
.seed  beds,  or,  rather,  pricked  out  on  spent  hotbeds  or  in  prepared 
soil  in  a  frame,  may  be  planted  out  in  the  trenches.  The  trenches 
may  be  cut  loin  Avide  and  9in  de-ep.  Into  the  bottom,  which 
must  be  Avell  broken  up,  work  some  decomposed  manure,  mixing 
.some  of  the  fre.sh  top  soil  AA’ith  the  other  material.  Plant  Gin  to 
Sin  apart,  lifting  Avith  balls  of  soil  and  roots,  planting  firmly,  and 
Avatering.  In  very  dry  and  sunny  Aveather  a  little  shade  for  a 
feAV  days  during  the  hottest  part  o'f  the  day  AA'ill  be  beneficial. 
BRUSSELS  SPROUTS. — Well  prepared  plants  are  iioaa’  ready 
for  lifting  from  the  quarters  Avhere  they  haA’e  been  strengthen¬ 
ing.  Plant  this  crop  if  possible  in  an  open  sjAace  on  good  soil, 
giving  them  ample  .space  betAveen  the  rows ;  2^ft  is  a  suitable 
di.stance,  the  plants  being  18in  apart.  It  is  best  to  lift  the  plants 
Avith  a  troAA’el,  securing  plenty  of  roots  and  soil.  Give  them  a 
good  Avatering,  and  hoe  frequently  betAveen  until  they  are 
established. 
THINNING  CROPS. — Onions,  Carrots,  Parsnips,  Beet,  and 
Lettuce  must  be  finally  thinned  before  they  become  too  croAA’ded. 
So  long  as  they  have  plenty  of  room  to  develop  they  will  not  spoil, 
but  in  a  croAvded  state  they  are  Aveakened,  and  seldom  recover 
their  proper  vigour. 
CAULIFLOWERS.— Tho.se  in  an  advanced  state  must  be 
supplied  Avith  liquid  manure.  Frequent  hoeing  Avill  accelerate 
the  groAvth  of  the  younger  and  recently  placed  out  plants. 
BEANS. — Frequently  stir  the  soil  betAA^een  the  roAvs  of  Scarlet 
Runners,  and  place  stakes  to  any  requiring  them.  A  further 
.soAving  may  be  made,  these  furnishing  a  useful  late  crop  Avhen  the 
early  roAvs  are  failing.  In  dry  and  light  soils  prepare  to  give 
occasional  liberal  soakings  of  Avater,  folloAving  by  a  mulching  of 
manure. 
TURNIPS. — Select  a  rich  and  deep  plot  of  ground  for  Turnips, 
as  soiHetimes  they  are  difficult  to  establish,  especially  in  hot 
dry  AA'eather,  when  the  fly  is  liable  to  attack  the  seedlings 
immediately  they  are  through  the  soil.  PreAuous  to  soAving 
thoroughly  moisten  the  drills,  and  sprinkle  some  artificial  manure 
along  them  as  an  incentive  to  rapid  groAvth  Avhen  the  seed  ger¬ 
minates.  The  small  Avhite  varieties  are  the  best  to  groAv. 
CUCUMBERS  IN  FRAMES. — Frequent  attention  must  be' 
given  to  regulating  the  groAvth  and  .stopping  the  side  shoots 
beyond  the  shoAv  of  fruit.  All  useless  shoots  may  be  cut  out,  as 
Avell  as  too  large  and  yelloAv  leaves.  Keep  the  rooting  material 
in  a  thoroughly  moist  condition,  applying  Avater  that  has  become 
Avarmed  at  the  time  of  closing  the  frames,  Avliich  should  be  ju.st 
befoi’e  the  sun  finally  leavms  the  frame.  Cut  all  fruits  as  they 
attain  a  fair  size.  Large  fruits  allowed  to  stay  impov’erish  the 
plants  to  a  considerable  extent,  Avhile  at  the  same  time  they 
deteriorate  in  quality. — East  Kent. 
- - 
Meteorological  Otiservatioiis  at  Chiswiclr. 
Taken  in  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society’s  Gardens  at  Chis¬ 
wick,  height  above  sea  level  24  feet. 
Date, 
Temperature  of  the 
Air. 
Temperature  of 
the  Soil, 
At  9  A.M, 
o 
1903, 
May. 
-O  > 
At  9  A.M. 
Day. 
Night 
.5 
*3 
- 
At 
1-ft. 
deep. 
At 
2-ft. 
deep. 
At 
4-ft. 
deep. 
U  • 
3  n 
•s  » 
?  d  d 
It  >4  M 
^  cr*5 
u  ' 
a 
Dry 
Bulb. 
Wet 
Bulb. 
49 
cc 
o 
.a 
bA 
B 
49 
CO 
o 
s 
o 
Jag 
o  o 
Sunday  ...17 
w.s.w. 
deg. 
47-8 
deg. 
44-9 
deg. 
54-4 
deg. 
44  0 
Ins. 
C-14 
deg. 
52-3 
deg. 
51‘7 
deg. 
49-9 
deg. 
41-3 
Monday  ...18 
N.N.AV. 
47-9 
43-9 
57-3 
36-2 
— 
520 
51-7 
50  0 
26-3 
Tuesday. ..19 
S.S.AV. 
561 
48-8 
62-7 
35-8 
— 
52-3 
51-8 
50-1 
26-3 
Wed’sday  20 
S.S  E. 
55‘5 
51-0 
65-2 
40-2 
— 
53-8 
52  1 
50  2 
3()-3 
Thursday  21 
S.W. 
58-2 
53'0 
71-2 
45-3 
— 
54  0 
52-3 
50-3 
34'0 
Friday  ...22 
S.S.AV. 
69-9 
60  0 
77-3 
45-8 
003 
56-3 
53- 1 
50-5 
36-3 
Saturday  23 
E.N.E. 
£0  9 
53-6 
£8-3 
51-3 
58-8 
54  0 
50-7 
4ro 
Means  ... 
E6'6 
50  7 
£5  2 
42-7 
Total. 
0-17 
54-2 
52-4 
50-2 
33-6 
With  the  exception  of  the  first  pai-t  of  the  Aveek  the  Aveather  ha 
been  AA’arm  and  bright.  Small  quantities  of  rain  fell  on  tAvo  days. 
