JVUt{.\'AL  Oh'  HOnrWULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
December  20,  1900. 
/)6C 
Fruit  Forcing. 
'  Cherry  House. — To  have  ripe  Cherries  in  April  the  trees  must  now 
be  started.  Early  Rivers,  Governor  Wood,  and  Black  Tartarian  are 
unsurpassed  for  size  and  q'lality,  it  being  unwise  to  grow  many  varieties, 
as  these  will  give  a  long  succession  of  fruit.  In  the  case  of  trees  in 
pots,  greater  variety  may  be  indulged  in,  yet  there  are  few  to  equal 
those  named.  Be  careful  of  fire  heat  at  the  commencement,  not 
employing  it  unless  absolutely  necessary  to  maintain  the  temperature 
at  40°  during  the  night,  and  45°  to  50°  by  day,  ventilating  when  the 
temperature  is  that,  and  not  allowing  55°  to  be  exceeded  without  full 
ventilation.  Close  the  house  at  50°.  Syringe  the  trees  and  other 
surfaces  early  on  fine  afternoons,  so  as  to  admit  of  the  buds  becoming 
dry  before  night.  The  border  will  be  sufficiently  moist  through  the 
removal  of  the  roof-lights,  if  not  it  must  have  water  to  bring  it  into 
a  thoroughly  rnnist  state.  Trees  in  pots,  if  at  all  dry,  will  require 
repeated  supplies  of  water  to  insure  the  thorough  moistening  of  the 
soil  to  the  base  of  the  pots. 
Aphides  do  not  usually  appear  until  the  buds  swell  and  growth 
takes  place,  but  a  sharp  look  out  should  be  kept  on  the  buds,  and  if 
there  are  any  minute  objects  about  it  is  wise  to  fumigate  on  two  or 
three  consecutive  evenings.  This  will  make  quick  work  of  the  small 
aphides  that  may  appear  from  the  eggs  as  a  result  of  the  warmth,  and 
repeating  the  fumigation  at  intervals  of  a  fortnight  or  three  weeks  it 
is  likely  there  will  be  few,  if  any,  to  infest  the  growths.  Of  course, 
the  aphides  may  come  on.  the  wing,  but  that  takes  time  to  arrive  at, 
the  eggs,  as  a  rule,  being  deposited  on  the  Cherry  trees  in  the  autumn. 
The  thing  is  to  keep  the  trees  clear  of  the  pests,  otherwise  Cherries 
fit  for  use  will  not  be  forthcoming. 
Vines. — Early  Forced  in  Pots. — Where  feimenting  materials  are 
employed  in  the  pits  and  the  pots  are  placed  on  pillars  frequent 
additions  of  fresh  leaves  or  sweetened  material  should  be  made  as  the 
heat  declines.  The  heat  about  the  pots  must  not  exceed  70°  to  75° ; 
indeed,  that  temperature  at  the  base  of  the  pots  is  s  iffioient  until  the 
buds  commence  to  swell,  when  the  heat  may  be  gradually  increased 
at  the  roots  by  placing  material  about  the  pots,  so  as  to  have  it 
between  the  degrees  named  by  the  time  the  Vines  are  coming  into 
leaf.  Increase  the  temoerature  of  the  house  gradually  after  the  buds 
are  on  the  move  from  55°,  so  as  to  have  it  60°  to  65°  by  the  time  the 
shoots  commence  developing,  allowing  an  advance  of  6°  to  10°  by  day, 
carefully  admitting  a  little  air  at  70°  and  closing  early.  Disbud  as  soon 
as  the  shows  for  fruit  can  be  detected  in  the  points  of  the  shoots, 
reserving  the  most  promising.  Stop  about  two  joints  beyond  the 
bunches  and  pinch  the  laterals  from  the  current  growths  at  the  first 
leaf,  or  remove  them  up  to  the  bunches,  allowing  those  beyond  to 
extend  as  space  permits;  but  this  is  usually  limited  in  the  case  of 
Vines  in  pots,  therefore  retain  no  more  foliage  than  can  have  full 
exposure  to  light,  for  to  encourage  more  and  afterwards  reduce  it  is 
disastrous. 
Moderate  moisture  only  will  need  to  be  applied  by  sprinkling  where 
fermenting  materials  are  employed,  and  where  these  are  not  at 
command  an  occasional  damping  with  dilute  liquid  manure,  such  as 
guano,  1  lb.  to  20  gallons  of  water,  will  be  of  service,  while  evaporation 
troughs  should  be  kept  charged  with  it  at  half  strength.  This  will 
give  a  perceptible  smell  of  ammonia  as  well  as  moisture  constantly,  and 
modify  the  dry  heat  where  it  is  solely  derived  from  hot-water  pipes. 
Water  should  be  given  carefully  at  the  roots,  as  these  do  not  move 
much  until  the  Vines  are  in  growth,  and  even  then  they  do  not  require 
very  oopicus  supplies  before  the  leaves  have  formed  and  evaporation 
from  them  is  considerable. 
Early  Forced  Planted-ovt  Vines, — The  bods  of  Vines  started  last 
month,  even  those  subjected  to  fire  heat  and  forced  early  in  previous 
years,  are  now  swelling,  and  need  a  moist  but  not  very  wet  condition  at 
the  roots.  Mtking  the  soil  sodden  by  needle.ss  waterings  is  very 
injurious,  retarding  instead  of  accelerating  root  formation.  Raise  the 
temperature  gradually,  say  2’  or  3°  in  the  course  of  a  few  days,  so  as  to 
have  it  60’  to  65°  at  night,  when  the  Vines  come  into  leaf,  and  70°  to  75° 
in  the  d  lytime,  with  a  little  air  at  70°  without  lowering  the  heat,  if 
only  for  a  short  time,  so  as  to  secure  a  change  of  air  at  least  once  in 
twenty-four  hours.  If  the  Vines  have  not  been  forced  before,  and  are 
tardy  in  moving,  ripe  fruit  being  required  by  a  given  time,  growth  may 
be  induced  by  a  brisk  moist  heat  of  70°  to  75°,  continuing  it  until  the 
Vines  have  fairly  s  arted  growing,  when  the  temperature  should  be 
allowed  to  fall  to  60°  to  66°  at,  night  and  kept  at  70°  to  75°  in  the  daytime, 
it  beii  g  important  whilst  the  foliage  is  being  made  that  a  moderate 
temperature  be  employed,  iu  order  to  secure  short-jointed  wood  and 
stoat,  well  developed  foliage. 
Young  Vines  that  have  not  been  forced  before  will  need  more  time. 
and  all  young  canes  must  be  brought  down  to  a  horizontal  position,  or 
lower,  to  insure  the  buds  breaking  regularly  along  the  canes.  Some 
well -fermented  short  stable  litter  and  leaves  placed  in  ridges  on  the 
insme  oorder  will  afford  a  genial  moisture  and  ..armth,  aud  lessen  the 
necessity  for  syringing,  it  being  a  bad  plan  to  keep  the  rods  dripping 
with  water,  which  greatly  accelerates  aerial  roots  in  pushing  and 
developing.  The  outside  border  should  have  such  protection  as  will 
prevent  the  soil  becoming  frozen.  Where  fermenting  materials  are 
employed  they  must  not  be  allowed  to  become  cool,  but  should  have 
fresh  material  added,  and  spent  removed  as  required,  so  as  to  maintain  a 
genial  warmth,  otherwise  chill  will  be  productive  of  more  harm  than 
the  material  rightly  used  confers  benefit. 
He  Kitclien  Garden. 
Mushrooms. — The  best  Mushrooms  are  grown  in  a  temperature 
seldom  exceeding  55°,  and  if  this  warmth  is  maintained  by  means  of 
manure  beds  the  crops  will  be  much  heavier  and  more  continuous  than 
is  usually  the  case  when  subjected  to  the  drying  effects  of  fire  heat. 
There  is  less  fluctuation  in  the  temperature  when  both  the  sides  and 
roof  of  the  structures  are  heavily  thatched.  A  moist  atmosphere  is 
desirable,  and,  if  necessary,  this  can  be  maintained  by  means  of  daily 
syringings  of  the  walls  and  floors,  taking  care,  however,  not  to  damp 
the  beds  beyond  what  is  good  for  them.  Mulching  he.avily  with  strawy 
manure  serves  to  keep  the  beds  warmer  and  moister,  the  Mushrooms 
also  apparently  growing  all  the  stronger  when  pressing  against  a  yielding 
substance.  Occasional  gentle  waterings  with  tepid  water  may  be  given 
whenever  the  beds  are  becoming  dry.  At  this  time  of  the  year  manure 
should  be  prepared  in  an  open  fronted  shed,  and  it  must  be  damped 
oftea  enough  in  the  process  to  keep  it  just  moist. 
Mushrooms  without  Fire  Heat.  —  Open-air  beds  have  not  done 
particularly  well  this  season,  especially  where  tarpaulins  have  not  been 
used  to  ward  off  the  rains.  A  thick  covering,  12  inches,  of  strawy 
manure  is  not  too  much,  as  it  serves  to  keep  the  beds  warmer  and  drier, 
and  therefore  in  a  productive  state  during  moderately  cold  weather. 
Beds  in  unheated  structures  should  be  heavily  covered  with  strawy 
manure.  Woodlice  are  the  greatest  hindrance  to  success,  especially  in 
dry  sheds.  Trapping  in  small  flower  pots  laid  on  their  sides,  with  pieces 
of  Potato  by  way  of  bait,  and  dry  moss  to  keep  them  from  leaving  again, 
is  a  slow  hut  fairly  effective  way  of  keeping  them  down.  Where, 
however,  they  are  very  numerous,  it  is  advisable  to  saturate  their 
lurking  places,  usually  against  the  walls  or  boards  as  the  case  may  be, 
with  scalding  hot  water  occasionally. 
Tomatoes. — Growth  made  at  this  time  of  the  year  is  usually  of  a 
weakly  unserviceable  description,  and  neither  old  nor  young  plants 
ought  therefore  to  be  forced  hard.  A  temperature  of  55°  to  60°,  and  a 
dry  atmosphere,  will  keep  the  fruit  on  old  plants  swelling  or  ripening 
as  the  cise  may  be  without  unduly  exciting  leaf  growth,  and  these  old 
plants  will,  if  so  desired,  push  forth  strong  early-fruiting  shoots  a  few 
weeks  later.  Autumn-raised  plants,  kept  in  a  sturdy  healthy  state  on 
shelves  in  a  gentle  heat,  will  be  most  suitable  for  placing  in  their 
fruiting  quarters — pots,  boxes,  or  narrow  raised  borders — early  in 
January.  Any  still  in  seed  pans  may,  if  well  into  rough  leaf,  be  placed 
singly  in  2 J -inch  pots,  and  given  the  benefit  of  gentle  heat  and  a  light 
position,  will  become  sufficiently  strong  to  place  in  their  fruiting 
quarters  four  to  six  weeks  later.  These  young  plants,  under  ordinarily 
good  treatment,  should  produce  valuable  crops  of  fruit  early  in  May 
and  June.  More  seed  may  be  sown  the  first  week  in  January,  and  the 
resulting  plants  if  need  be  may  also  be  made  to  produce  good  crops  of 
fruit  in  May. 
Seed  Potatoes. — The  mild  weather  experienced  this  autumn,  and 
which  is  extending  into  the  winter,  has  tended  to  promote  early 
sprouting  in  the  case  of  Potatoes  generally.  If  this  is  allowed  to 
continue  it  will  have  a  most  weakening  effect  upon  the  tubers. 
Premature  sprouting  should  be  prevented  by  storing  the  tubers  thinly 
in  light  and  cool  positions.  Shallow  trays  with  raised  blocks  in  each 
corner  are  excellent  for  the  purpose.  Packed  closely  together,  sprout 
end  uppermost,  and  the  trays  disposed  above  each  other  by  means  of  the 
blocks  in  an  outhouse  or  room,  it  is  astonishing  what  a  large  quantity  of 
Potatoes  may  be  stored  in  very  little  space.  Let  all  the  light  and  air 
possible  reach  the  tubers,  taking  the  precaution  to  cover  with  mats  or 
paper  whenever  severe  frosts  are  imminent. 
- 1  mtm  t - 
H.  Vegetarian  Bazaar. — A  vegetarian  bazaar  was  held  in  the 
Memorial  Hall,  Farringdon  Street,  on  Saturday,  which  was  in  every 
way  successful.  Mr.  A.  P.  Hills,  the  shipbuilder,  a  prominent  leader  in 
the  vegetarian  movement,  delivered  an  address,  advocating  the 
adoption  of  a  purely  vegetable  diet,  and  supported  his  argument  by 
citing  instances  of  the  wonderful  advancement  made  abroad,  and 
particularly  in  the  colonies,  in  vegetarian  teaching  and  practice.  The 
Viscountess  de  Panama  declared  the  bazaar  open,  and  brisk  selling 
commenced  at  once.  The  stalls  were  charmingly  decorated,  and 
contained  anything  from  needlework  to  sweetme.ats,  but  never  a 
suggestion  of  anything  for  which  an  animal  had  paid  the  death  penalty 
to  furnish.  Among  the  visitors  was  Dr.  Josiah  Oldfield,  whose  hospital 
at  Loughton,  the  Oriolet,  is  doing  highly  instructive  work  in  the 
treatment  of  diseases  by  open  air  and  vegetarian  diet. 
