March  28,  1901. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
269 
Young  Gardeners’  Domain. 
His  First  Charge. 
The  Editor  has  an  eager  eye  for  all  that  savours  of  interest  and 
encouragement  to  yourg  gardeners,  and  when  by  chance  he  got  hold  of 
the  following  letter  he  thought — well,  this  will  just  please  “  An  Old 
Boy  ”  and  all  the  younger  “  boys  ”  who  read  the  notes  in  this 
“Domain."  “Old  Boy"  has,  in  common  with  other  correspondents, 
from  time  to  time  described  the  young  gardener’s  feelings  and  difficulties 
on  assuming  his  first  headship.  But  without  delaying  my  readers 
longer  I  will  herewith  present  the  letter,  which  so  naively  describes  the 
state  of  one  young  gaidener  on  taking  np  his  first  charge,  and  who,  no 
doubt,  will  rub  his  e>es  when  he  sees  where  his  letter  has  got  to.  He 
writes  to  his  friend  as  follows  : — 
It  is  a  week  or  two  since  I  made  the  acquaintance  of  L - ,  and  now 
can  express  an  opinion  of  its  merits  or  otherwise.  I  am  afraid  the  first 
few  days  I  was  very  much  disappointed  with  it,  and  wrote  something 
in  that  strain  to  Mr.  - ,  but  now  in  a  more  sane  mood  I  think  very 
much  better  of  it,  and  think  that  after  all  I  may  not  have  done  so 
badly.  I  find  that,  as  a  rule,  both  people  and  things  improve  on 
acquaintance.  1  know  when  I  went  to  W -  I  thought  I  should  not 
have  stayed  three  months,  and  had  I  left  it  I  know  I  should  have 
regretted  the  fact  ever  after,  as  both  W - and  Mr. - have  turned 
out  two  of  my  best  friends  I  do  think  this  will  prove  a  most  comfortable 
place;  everything  points  to  it.  The  lady  is  most  kind  and  thoughtful 
in  many  ways.  I  do  not  anticipate  any  difficulty  in  pleasing  her — 
rather  sanguine,  you  will  say,  in  the  case  of  a  lady.  Mr.  G -  is  a 
typical  Norfolk  squiie.  His  hobby  is  breeding  thoroughbreds,  and  for 
other  recreation  saws  and  cleaves  wood  sufficient  for  the  household,  and 
at  eighty  hunts  three  or  four  days  a  week.  I  may  say  that  whilst  cleaving 
wood  he  finds  his  lungs  si  fficiently  strong  to  sing  as  well,  but  perhaps 
this  may  only  be  when  an  awkward  piece  comes  to  hand.  Wise  man 
he  !  Another  form  of  recreation  he  occasionally  indulges  in  is  sprinting 
behind  the  carriage  c<  ming  home  from  church  on  Sunday  mornings, 
and  in  summer  pays  tennis.  Isn’t  it  wonderful?  I  thought  him  a 
feeble  old  gentleman,  but  think  differently  now.  The  squire  takes  no 
interest  in  the  garden,  except  that  he  is  fond  of  fruit.  This  is  a  very 
large  estate  indeed,  but  the  “  style  ”  throughout  is  very  different 
to  W - . 
The  flower  garden  is  the  best  feature  of  the  place.  It  will  be  very 
pretty,  I  imagine,  when  at  its  best.  There  is  much  bedding,  formal 
and  otherwise.  The  glasshouses  are  about  as  antique  a  lot  as  could 
well  be  imagined,  although  they  are  in  fair  condition.  I  have  had 
considerable  insight  into  horticultural  building  whilst  living  at  W - , 
but  not  until  now  did  1  realise  the  number  of  ingenious  contrivances 
there  are  for  tffi  cting  ventilation.  I  have  had  personal  acquaintance 
with  geari'  gs  worked  with  a  crank,  but  I  certainly  think  some  of  these 
here  must  have  been  invented  by  one.  What  a  utilitarian  age  that  must 
have  been  when  a  4-inch  wire  nail,  driven  to  the  hilt,  formed  part  of 
the  apparaius  for  closing  a  ventilator — or,  rather,  for  keeping  it  closed. 
Such  an  idea  would  r  ever  have  occurred  to  my  unpractical  mind.  It  is 
at  once  cheap  ai  d  effective.  The  vinery  is  span-roofed,  and  of  about 
the  same  dimensions  as  my  bedroom.  I  believe  they  cut  some  Grapes 
frim  it  ;  I  should  hardly  have  thought  it  possible  !  The  Peach  tr  ees 
inside  are  fair,  but  the  bouse  is  crammed  full  with  other  plants.  We 
have  an  interesting  collection  of  scented. leaved  Pelargoniums  ;  I 
wonder  if  friend  S -  or  you  could  get  them  named  for  me  ? 
Cyclamens  are  good  as  regards  flowers,  both  as  to  size  and  quantity,  • 
but  the  plants  themselves  are  not  so  fine.  There  is  a  fair  quantity  of 
wall  fruit,  but  the  trees  have  not  received  the  same  attention  as 
at  W - . 
I  wish  the  kitchen  garden  was  twice  the  size,  as  with  a  little  more 
labour  it  could  then  be  made  a  very  creditable  affair.  The  soil  is  first- 
class,  both  in  quality  and  depth.  I  should  particularly  have  liked  to 
have  made  it  the  feature,  but  Mrs.  G - ’s  sympathies  do  not  lie  in 
that  direction,  so  1  must  follow  her  lead.  Perhaps  it  will  be  to  my 
permanent  go<  d  that  I  have  to  give  the  artistic  side  first  place,  but  I 
must  sav  that  until  now,  at  any  rate,  my  inclination  has  not  been  that 
way,  and  except  in  a  very  constricted  fashion  I  have  never  given  it  any 
consideration.  We  me  much  later  heie  than  in  Devonshire  ;  the 
ground  is  not  yet  si  fficiently  dry  for  seed  sowing.  I  am  anxious  to  sow 
Peas  and  Beans,  but  cannot  tread  the  ground  yet  ;  I  can  see  already 
that  with  this  soil  it  n  ust  either  be  early  or  late  digging.  The  ground 
turned  up  last  week  is  alieady  much  drier  than  that  oug  before  snow 
fell,  but  I  think,  w  ith  1  eae  in  particular,  that  late  digging  is  not  to  be 
recommended.  I  am  laviigthe  Celery  quarters,  which  are  cleared, 
dressed  with  wood  ashes,  and  turned  back  ready  for  Shallots,  Leeks, 
Parsnips,  and  Eh  et.  Spring-sown  Oni<  ns  we  grow  few  or  none.  I  am 
much  happier  now  than  1  was  the  first  week  here.  I  really  felt  like 
“  bolting"  then  if  I  had  not  set  about  doing  something.  The  gardener’s 
house  is  not  yet  ready  for  me,  hut  I  am  in  first-rate  quarters,  and  a 
week  or  two  hence  the  same  adjective  should  be  equally  applicable  to 
my  “condition.” 
Manx  Forest  Fire. — On  Thursday  morniDg,  March  21st,  a 
destructive  fire  broke  <  ui  in  the  forest  of  Glen  Helen,  Isle  of  Man,  and 
consumed  60  acres  of  timber.  Glen  Helen  is  a  popular  tourist  resort. 
WOKK.F0R.THE  W  £  EK,. 
I 
Fruit  Forcing. 
Melons. — Aim  at  securing  stout,  leathery  leaves,  and  short- jointed 
growths,  for  such  plants  usually  produce  heavy,  highly  flavoured  fruits, 
while  plants  with  thin  foliage  and  long-jointed  wood  produoe  soft,  light 
(for  size),  and  indifferent  flavoured  samples.  No  effort  should  be  spared 
to  induce  solidification,  as  this  is  essential  to  fertility,  and  with  it  there 
is  little  difficulty  in  getting  fruit  to  set  on  the  first  laterals.  When 
in  flower,  and  during  the  BettiDg  period,  water  should  only  be  given 
to  prevent  flagging,  and  the  atmosphere  must  be  kept  drier,  with 
an  increase  of  temperature  of  about  5°,  a  circulation  of  warm  air 
conducing  to  a  good  set,  and  if  necessary  a  little  air  should  be  admitted 
at  night  to  prevent  the  deposition  of  moisture  on  the  flowers. 
Fertilise  the  fully  expanded  pistillate  blossoms  every  day,  and  pinch 
each  growth  at  the  same  time  one  joint  beyond  the  fruit.  When  the 
fruits  are  set  and  about  the  size  of  a  hen’s  egg  give  a  thorough 
wa  ering  of  tepid  liquid  manure,  having  the  soil  for  earthing  the  roots 
warmed,  for  if  the  roots  are  chilled  by  cold  water  or  soil  the  fruits  turn 
yellow  instead  of  swelling.  In  a  day  or  two  top-dress  with  rich,  turfy 
rather  strong  loam,  pressing  it  down  firmly,  and  again  supply  water. 
Stop  the  subsequent  growths  to  one  or  two  leaves,  and  avoid  over¬ 
crowding  the  foliage  by  removing  superfluous  growths.  The  bottom 
heat  should  be  kept  steady  at  80°  to  85°  ;  this,  assisting  the  swelling  of 
the  fruits,  and  speedy  growth  with  early  ripening,  is  a  great  point  in 
growing  the  first  crop  of  Melons. 
Syringe  the  plants  mcdetately  about  3  p.m.  on  bright  and  warm 
afternoons,  or  soon  after  midday  when  the  air  is  sharp.  Damp  the 
floor  in  the  morning,  and  keep  the  evaporation  troughs  charged  with 
liquid  manure,  or  failing  these  sprinkle  the  floor  with  stable  drainings 
diluted  with  five  times  the  bulk  of  water,  unless  sufficiently  diluted  by 
water  running  into  the  tank.  L  quid  manure  will  be  needed  by  plants 
in  restricted  borders,  and  a  mulching  of  rather  lumpy  and  sweet  manure 
encourages  roots  and  affords  support.  Water,  liquid  mauure,  and 
mulching  must  always  be  applied  equal  to  or  in  advance  of  the 
tempeiature  of  the  house. 
Later  •plants  will  need  the  growths  trained  regularly,  removing  the 
laterals  on  the  stem  up  to  the  trellis,  then  rubbing  off  every  alternate 
latetal  directly  they  are  perceived,  leaving  the  rest  on  the  right  and 
left  of  the  main  stem,  pinching  the  point  out  of  the  primary  stem  after 
it  has  extended  two-thirds  of  the  required  distance.  Increase  the 
supply  of  water  as  the  days  lengt  hen,  but  avoid  making  the  soil  too  wet, 
as  that  hinders  root  actioD,  and  secure  a  genial  condition  of  the 
atmosphere  by  damping  in  the  morniug  and  lightly  syringing  on  fine 
afternoons. 
Sow  seeds  to  raise  plants  for  occupying  small  houses  or  pits  as  they 
become  cleared  of  bedding  plants,  keeping  the  seedlings  sturdy  by 
growing  near  the  glass,  and  not  allowing  them  to  become  very  much 
root- bound.  In  pits  and  frames  a  bottom  heat  of  80°  should  be 
maintained  where  the  plants  are  growing  freely  ;  newly  made  beds  will 
have  a  bottom  heat  of  90°,  which  is  safe  for  planting  out,  and  as  the 
heat  declines  it  can  be  increased  by  renewing  the  linings,  employing 
thick  night  coverings  over  the  lights. 
Vines.—  Earliest  Forced  in  Pots. — The  canes  started  last  November 
that  have  been  duly  attended  to  are  now  ripening  the  Grapes.  The 
supplies  of  nourishment  and  water  at  the  roots  shou'd  be  lessened 
gradually,  so  as  not  to  give  a  check,  and  the  atmospheric  moisture 
must  be  reduced,  yet  not  withholding  it  entirely.  Maintain  a  tempera- 
tuie  of  60°  to  65u  at  night  and  70°  to  75°  by  day,  keeping  between 
75u  and  85°  from  sun  heat,  ventilating  freely  in  favourable  weather. 
Early  Houses — In  the  house  slatted  in  December  the  Grapes  are 
rapidly  advancing  towards  the  o  flouring  stage,  and  should  be  afforded 
due,  but  not  excessive,  supplies  of  liquid  nourishment.  A  light  mulching 
of  short  sweetened  stable  manure  rnaiutains  an  even  moisture  in  the 
soil,  in  which,  however,  thtre  must  not  be  any  deficiency,  as  it  is 
important  that  the  Grapes  be  kept  plumn  and  the  foliage  healthy. 
Damp,  the  paths  and  borders  at  closing  tine  u>  til  the  fruit  is  well 
advanced  in  colouring,  after  which  reduce  the  moisture  graduilly,  and 
provide  a  circulation  of  warm  air  day  and  n  ght.  This  is  all  that  is 
usually  necessary  to  prevent  Madresfield  Court  and  other  Grapes  from 
cracking;  it  is  also  an  excellent  preventive  of  “spot.” 
Vines  Started  at  the  New  Year — When  the  Vines  come  into  flower 
afford  a  circulation  of  rather  dry  air,  with  a  temperature  of  65°  to  70° 
at  night  for  Black  Hamburgh  and  similar  varieties,  and  70°  to  75°  for  ’ 
Musoats.  All  shy  setting  kinds  should  have  the  bunches  lightly  gone 
over  with  a  large  oamel’s-hair  brush,  to  remove  the  caps  and  the 
glutinous  substance  sometimes  too  abundant,  choosing  a  warm  part  of 
the  day,  after  the  house  has  been  freely  ventilated,  aud  fertilise  them 
gently  with  pollen  from  a  free-setting  variety.  When  the  berries  are 
lairly  set  Black  Hamburghs  and  similar  sorts  may  be  thinned,  hub 
