460 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
May  ‘2e^  1904. 
WOKK.fo^ItheWEEK.. 
Fruit  Forcing. 
CHERRY  HOUSE.— When  the  whole  of  the  crop  is  ripe, 
the  chief  consideration  ^^■ill  he  to  keep  tlie  fruit  fresh  and  i^ro- 
long  the  season  of  supply  as  long  as  possible.  Shading  will  do 
so,  hut  it  is  only  desirable  where  the  fruit  is  directly  exposed 
to  the  sun,  owing  to  limited  foliage.  Free  ventilation  must  be 
attended  to,  and  in  hot  weather  a  sprinkling  of  the  surface  of 
the  border  in  the  hottest  part  of  the  day  will  assist  in  keeping 
the  frnit  plump.  The  supply  of  water  mmst  not  be  neglected, 
tor  dryness  at  the  roots  in  inimical  to  the  development  of  the 
buds  for  the  ensuing  crop  of  fruit  and  health  of  the  trees. 
PEACHES  AND  NECTARINES:  EARLY  FORCED 
HOUSES. — The  early  varieties,  Alexander,  Waterloo,  and 
Duchess  of  Cm-nwall, " Am.sden  June,  Early  Beatrice,  and  Early 
liOuise  Peach^,  with  Cardinal  and  Early  Rivers  Nectarines,  are 
nearly  cleared  of  their  fruits.  When  these  are  all  gathered, 
the  shoots  on  which  the  fruit  has  been  borne,  if  not  required  for 
the  extension  of  the  tree,  must  be  cut  away  to  the  successional 
growth  at  the  base,  to  admit  light  and  air  freely  to  the  foliage. 
Syringe  forcibly  to  cleanse  the  trees  of  red  siiider,  and  if  this 
pest  and  scale  continue  troublesome,  promptly  use  an  insecti¬ 
cide.  To  prevent  overmaturity  of  the  buds,  ventilate  to  the 
fullest  extent  on  all  favourable  occa.sions.  Keep  gross  laterals 
stopped,  but  avoid  checking  the  growth  by  removing  large 
quantities  of  foliage  at  one  time.  Trees  of  the  second  early  and 
midseason  varieties  will  now  be  ripening  the  fruit,  and  must 
not  be  syringed,  though,  if  the  trees  become  infested  with  red 
spider,  a  thorough  syringing  may  be  given  when  there  is  a 
prospect  of  a  fine  day.  The.  trees  must  have  water  at  the  roots 
in  sufficient  quantity  to  keep  the  foliage  in  a  healthy  state. 
HOUSES  STARTED  IN  JANUARY.— The  fruits  in  the 
structures  brought  forward  gently,  and  the  varieties  second 
early  or  midseason,  are  now  fast,  advancing  towards  ripening. 
The  leaves  will  have  been  turned  aside,  and  the  fruit  raised,  so 
that  the  apex  receives  most  light.  If  the  weather  jirove  cold 
and  wet,  gentle  fire  heat  will  be  necessary  to  secure  a  circulation 
of  air  constantly,  as  moisture  deposited  on  the  apex  induces 
“  spot,”  maintaining  a  temperature  at  night  of  60deg  to  65deg, 
and  TOdeg  to  75deg  by  day.  Cease  syringing  as  soon  as  the 
fruit  begins  to  ripen,  and  take  care  to  have  the  trees  free  from 
red  spider' before  this  stage,  or  the  pest  will  increase  so  rapidly 
as  to  prejudice  future  ci'ops.  Give  a  good  watering  to  the 
border  if  necessary,  mulching  with  some  light  material. 
SUCCESSION  HOUSES. — During  stoning  the  trees  must 
not  be  hurried,  but  be  given  time  to  complete  the  process. 
Allow  a  free  circulation  of  air,  ventilating  early,  and  clo.sing 
early  in  the  afternoon,  so  as  to  maintain  a  temperature  of 
SOdeg  to  85deg,  and  ventilate  a  little  afterwards  for  the  night, 
the  temperature  being  allowed  to  fall  to  between  60deg  ancl 
65deg.  A  free  extension  of  the  laterals  may  be  allowed  as  an 
encouragement  of  root  action,  but  do  not  crowd  the  principal 
foliage,  and  keep  insects  in  check  by  syringing  twice  a  day. 
When  the  fruits  nave  stoned  remove  all  surplus  ones,  and  turn 
the  others  to  the  light  to  insure  their  colouring  well  from  the 
apex.  Give  thorough  supplies  of  water  through  a  surface 
mulching  of  manure  an  inch  or  two  inches  in  thickness,  not 
more,  and  supply  top-dressings  of  fertiliser  or  liquid  manure  to 
weakly  trees.  Vi.gorous  trees,  however,  mu.st  not  be  too  libe¬ 
rally  fed,  as  it  will  induce  grossness,  which  must  be  studiously 
avoided. 
LATE  HOUSES. — Young  shoots  that  are  to  carry  next 
year’s  crop  must  be  tied  in,  and  allowed  to  extend  as  far  as 
space  admits,  taking  care  to  avoid  overcrowding.  Pinch  ail 
side  shoots  on  extensions  that  are  not  required  for  next  year’s 
fruiting,  or  for  furnishing  the  trees,  training  a  growth  from 
the  base  of  the  present  bearing  shoots.  In  thinning  the  fruits, 
leave  a  few  more  than  will  be  required  for  the  crop.  Keep  the 
foliage  clean  by  syringing  twice  a  day  in  fine  weather,  and 
always  early,  to  allow  the  foliage  to  become  dry  before  night. 
Mulch  the  borders  with  short  manure  and  water  thoroughly 
when  necessary.  Ventilate  early,  and  increa.se  the  ventilation 
with  the  sun  heat,  closing  early  if  the  ripening  is  to  be 
accelerated,  but  if  wanted  late  keep  as  cool  as  possible. 
\OUNG  TREES. — Tho.se  in  cour.se  of  formation  must  be 
properly  disbudded,  leaving  the  main  branches  or  shoots  about 
15in  to  18in  apart,  and  the  bearing  wood  at  those  distances 
along  them.  Train  the  extensions  their  full  length,  and  pinch 
the  side  shoots  on  last  year’s  growths  to  two  or  three  leaves. 
so  as  to  form  spurs,  and  to  one  of  subsequent  growth.  Laterals 
on  current  j'ear’s  wood  should  be  pinched  at  the  first  joint,  and 
successional  growths  so  treated  as  made. — G.  A.,  St.  Albans,' 
Herts. 
The  Flower  Garden. 
PLANTING  FL01YER  BEDS.-AYhere  the  spring  flowering 
plants  have  been  removed,  and  the  beds  duly  prepared  for  the 
reception  of  the  summer,  the  work  of  filling  them  may  be  pro¬ 
ceeded  with.  Due  attention  should  be  given  to  the  proper 
preparation  of  . the  soil  and  bringing  it  to  a  moist  condition, 
spring  blooming  plants  often  exhausting  the  ground  of  moi.sture. 
To  such  beds  give,  therefore,  a  thorough  good  .soaking  of  water 
several  days  before  replanting.  For  any  subjects  which  require 
the  soil  enriching,  decayed  manure  must  be  worked  in.  Some 
plants  will  flower  better  in  comimratively  iioor  soil. 
CALCEOLARIAS. — Although  advisable  to  plant  these  out 
earlier  in  the  month,  this  may  not  be  possible,  and  they  must 
be  one  of  the  first  to  be  dealt  with  if  grown.  Small,  poorly 
rooted  specimens  are  not  suitable,  but  if  plants  are  used  which 
have  been  transplanted  in  nunsery  beds,  and  which  lift  with 
large  balls  of  fibrous  roots,  these,  carefully  planted  quickly  ih 
fairly  rich  soil  and  watered,  will  soon  be  re-establi.shed,  and 
suffer  but  little  from  the  shift.  C.  angustifolium.  Golden  Gem, 
and  aurea  floribunda  are  the  best  yellows.  Prince  of  Orange  is 
a  good  brown,  and  Sultan  the  best  dark  variety. 
GERANIUMS  (ZONAL  PELARGONIUMS).— These  may 
now  be  planted,  beds  of  one  variety  being  most  effective,  though 
appropriate  mixtures  of  varieties  may  be  made  according  to 
tastes  and  varieties  in  hand  or  obtainable.  Soil  well  dug  and 
made  friable  is  better  for  Geraniums  than  when  any  enriching 
material  is  added,  the  latter  causing  leaf  growth  too  freely  at 
the  expense  of  flowers.  Plants  from  pots  should  be  well 
moistened  before  planting.  Root-bound  and  dry,  they  are  liable 
to  be  long  in  making  a  proper  start.  They  must  also  have  been 
carefully  hardened  to  outside  conditions.  Any  plants  that 
have  been  kept  growing  under  glass  should  be  placed  outside 
now  to  prepare  them  for  planting. 
MARGUERITES. — AYliite  iMarguerites  or  Paris  Daisies  are 
effective  plants  for  large  beds,  and  may  be  used  for  central 
groups  and  in  other  positions.  Plants  from  5in  pots  in  flower 
will  continue  to  bloom  all  the  summer  if  afforded  moderately 
good  soil,  and  an  adequate  .supply  of  water  at  the  roots.  Clean 
plants  free  from  the  leaf-mining  grub  should  be  put  out. 
FUCHSIAS. — Most  effective  beds  may  be  made  by  employ¬ 
ing  Fuchsias,  the  free  floAvering  single  varieties  being  the  best. 
Tall  plants  with  a  single  stem,  and  well  furnished  with  side 
shoots,  may  be  planted,  using  some  loAv  groAving  floAvering  plant 
such  as  Violas  as  groundAvork. 
PLANTS  FOR  EDGING  BEDS  AND  BORDERS.— Few 
plants  can  excel  blue  and  Avhite  Lobelia  for  the  margin  of  beds 
next  the  grass.  They  are  dAvarf  and  floriferous.  Echeverias, 
Antennaria  tomentosum,  Sedum  glaucum,  Cerastium,  Stachys 
lanata,  and  Cineraria  maritimum  are  all  white  foliage  dwarf 
plants  suitable  for  this  purpose.  The  Avell  knoAvn  Golden 
Feather,  and  the  improved  varieties  of  it,  may  be  employed 
Avhere  bright  yelloAv  is  Avanted.  Tagetes  signata  ijumila  and 
dAvarf  French  Marigolds  have  finely  cut  leaves  and  a  profusion 
of  yelloAV  blooms.  White,  yellow,  or  blue  Violas  form  excellent 
edgings.  The  dark  foliage  of  some  of  the  fibrous  rooted 
Begonias  form  a  good  contrast  to  many  plants,  and  as  they 
also  floAver,  their  usefulness  is  obvious.  The  dwarf  forrris  of 
Antirrhinums  are  pleasing,  as  also  are  Asters. — E.  D.  S., 
Grave.send. 
The  Kitchen  Garden. 
PLANTING  TOMATOES.— If  these  have  been  properly 
prepared,  viz.,  Avell  groAvn  and  thoroughly  hardened  in  cold 
frames,  they  may  now  be  planted  out.  Where  a  south  Avail 
exists  this  Avill  be  much  the  best  place  on  Avhich  to  plant.  Fail¬ 
ing  this,  a  sunny  border  should  be  chosen.  The  soil  should  be 
light  and  Avarm.  If  each  plant  has  a  cluster  of  fruit  already 
set  on  it,  so  much  the  better.  When  the  plants  are  placed 
against  a  Avail  fasten  each  plant  to  the  Avail.  If  they  are 
planted  on  a  border,  a  neat,  but  strong  .stick  should  be  placed 
to  each  plant  to  prevent  the  plants  from  being  broken  by  Avind. 
EARTHING  UP  POTATOES.— Owing  to  the  very  Avet 
Avinter  the  soil  Avas  not  in  good  condition  Avfiere  Potatoes  were 
planted  early,  consequently  the  soil  is  in  a  hard  state.  Earthing 
is  no  easy  task.  It  is  an  excellent  plan  to  lightly  fork  up 
betAA'een  the  i’oaaas  i^revious  to  draAving  the  soil  up  to  the  plants. 
A  little  artificial  manure  may  be  worked  in  Avith  the  soil. 
PliANTING  OUT  VEGETABLE  MARROWS.— After  these 
have  been  thoroughly  hardened  off  they  shoAild  be  planted  out. 
It  may,  hoAvever,  be  necessary  to  give  a  little  protection  on 
cold  nights,  or  Avhen  frost  is  expected.  These  succeed  Avell  on 
beds  on  Avhich  early  Potatoes  have  been  lifted,  after  adding  a 
little  more  soil,  which  should  be  placed  to  form  slight  mounds 
on  which  the  plants  should  be  planted. 
