524 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
June  16,  1904 
succeeding  growths.  Night  coverings  will  not  now  be  required, 
but  it  is  necessary  to  attend  to  the  ventilation  early. 
VINES  IN  POTS  FOR  EARLY  FORCING.— Stop  the  canes 
when  from  6ft  to  8ft  long,  pinching  the  laterals  and  sub-laterals 
to  one  joint  as  produced.  This  applies  to  cut-backs,  and  to  those 
from  eyes  started  early  and  shifted  into  the  fruiting  pots.  The 
smaller  canes  intended  for  planting  need  not  be  given  more 
than  Gin  or  Tin  pots,  as  good  fibrous  roots  are  of  more  importance 
than  luxuriant  canes. 
Hardy  Fruit  Garden. 
AMERICAN  BLIGHT.— This  pest  has  made  a  re-appearance 
on  old  espaliers,  after  being  treated  in  the  winter.  Prompt 
measures  should  be  taken  in  similar  cases  to  check  the  insects, 
as  they  breed  at  this  season,  and  quickly  spread  from  the  older- 
neglected  trees  to  young  and  hitherto  clean  stock.  A  forcible 
washing  with  the  garden  engine  will  destroy  a  great  number, 
but  it  is  well  to  supplement  this  with  an  insecticide.  Any 
washes  containing  petroleum  must  not  be  used  at  great  strength, 
or  the  foliage  may  be  damaged.  If  time  can  be  found,  the 
worst  crevices  on  the  old  branches  should  be  touched  with 
paraffin.  This  will  destroy  many  insects,  and  the  numbers  of 
embryo  now  hatching. 
PEACHES  AND  NECTARINES. — Lay  in  by  more  or  less  tem¬ 
porary  means  a  sufficient  supply  of  young  shoots  for  carrying  the 
crop  next  season.  These  must  be  in  addition  to  those  already 
fruiting.  Remove  superfluous  growths  so  far  as  possible  by 
pinching.  Do  not  allow  a  number  of  strong  foreright  shoots 
to  get  away  to  any  great  extent,  as  they  not  only  rob  the  fruit 
and  weaken  flowering  portions  of  the  trees,  but  there  is  always 
risik  of  a  check  to  the  whole  if  these  greatly  extend,  and  are 
then  suddenly  removed. 
MULCHING  YOUNG  TREES.— Apples  in  particular  that 
have  a  number  of  fruits  forming  upon  them  will  derive  benefit 
from  a  mulching  of  manure.  This  need  not  be  of  a  rich  nature ; 
strawy  material  from  stables  will  be  found  of  service  in  main¬ 
taining  the  soil  in  an  equable  state  of  moisture.  We  have 
already  this  season  proved  the  utility  of  this  practice,  as  a 
number  of  young  trees  of  Cox’s  and  other  sorts  are  swelling  a 
fine  crop,  with  their  roots  under  a  heavy  dressing  ;  while  others, 
which  it  was  not  possible  to  so  treat,  have  cast  many  fruits. 
This  advice  is  particularly  applicable  to  growers  having  sandy 
soils  to  deal  with. 
STANDARDS. — Many  of  these  are  showing  promise  of 
enormous  crops.  The  size  of  the  heads  prohibits  any  hope  of 
thinning  being  carried  out  to  ease  the  burden  of  the  trees,  and 
the  only  thing  advisable  in  such  cases  is  to  assist  them  by 
pouring  liquid  manure  around  the  stems  as  far  as  the  branches 
extend.  This  is  best  done  after  rain,  and  the  sooner  the  liquid 
can  be  applied,  the  greater  will  be  the  benefit  resulting.  Young 
recently  planted  heads  should  not  be  allowed  to  overcrop ;  by 
allowing  this  to  occur,  growth  is  sometimes  crippled  for  two  of 
three  seasons.  The  stems  of  young  trees  in  orchards  should  be 
kept  clear  of  grass. 
MORELLO  CHERRIES. — In  regulating  the  growths  of 
these  on  walls,  allow  a  fair  number  to  remain  and  be  laid  in 
as  opportunities  arise,  for  carrying  out  the  work ;  but  there 
must  be  no  overcrowding  of  the  shoots  that  are  to  provide  next 
year’s  fruit.  We  never  thin  the  fruit  of  these,  as  if  the  roots 
are  given  generous  treatment  the  tiiees  will  cari-y  heavy  crops 
of  fruit  for  a  number  of  years. 
WATERING  WALL  TREES. — In  dry  weather,  see  that 
these  do  not  lack  moisture,  as  they  are  very  apt  to  do  at  the 
foot  of  walls.  Should  the  ground  become  hard  through  being 
trodden  during  the  successive  operations  of  thinning,  dis¬ 
budding,  &c.,  loosen  the  surface  soil  with  a  fork  before  giving 
water.  If  this  is  not  done,  very  little  will  find  its  way  to  the 
dry  soil,  but  Avill  run  over  the  surface  of  the  border.— J  W 
INewent,  GIos.  ’ 
Fruit  Forcing. 
clumbers. — When  the  night  temperature  can  be  pre 
vented  riom  falling  below  65deg,  or  even  GOdeg,  artificial  heal 
inay  be  dispensed  with,  making  the  most  of  sun  heat  by  earlj 
closing.  Look  over  the  plants  twice  a  week,  well  tliinning  the  ok 
giowtfis  and  supply  liquid  manure  occasionally.  Syringe  earl;; 
in  the  afternoon,  but  damp  in  the  morning  and  through  the  day 
so  as  to  maintain  moisture  in  the  house  according  to  require 
ment.  V\  ith  the  ends  of  the  structures  north  and  south,  i 
slight  shade  becomes  necessary,  or  from  four  to  five  in  tin 
a  ternoon,  when  there  is  danger  of  the  foliage  being  scorehed 
its  and  frames  .should  be  closed  about  4  p.m.  or  earlier,  so  as  t( 
husffiand  the  sun  s  heat  assisting  plants  in  bearing  with  liquic 
maniue.  Remove  bad  leaves,  cut  out  exhausted  and  too  closi 
<^^^0  joints  beyond  tin 
plants  are  enfeebled  in  bearing,  top-dress  witl 
from^vbfrdi’  younger  growths  at  a  joint 
tom  vhich  roots  will  be  admitted,  and  thus  strengthen  tin 
HOUSES  OF  RIPE  GRAPES.— Black  Hambiirghs,  and  also 
Buckland  Sweetwater,  will  be  better  for  a  slight  shade  from 
powerful  sun.  A  double  thickness  of  herring  nets  will  mostly 
be  sufficient  shade,  and  a  good  spread  of  foliage  w-ill  assist  the 
Grapes  in  keeping  their  colour.  Moderate  ventilation  at  all 
times,  and  free  in  bright  weather,  will  prevent  injury  from 
moisture.  Keep  the  laterals  fairly  under,  but  a  little  extension 
will  assist  in  the  retention  of  the  principal  leaves,  and  upon 
their  continuance  in  health  depends  the  maturity  of  the  buds 
for  the  next  year’s  crop. 
GRAPES  RIPENING. — When  the  Grapes  begin  changing 
colour,  admit  a  little  air  constantly,  with  sufficient  heat  in  the 
pipes  to  maintain  a  night  temperature  of  65deg  and  TOdeg  to 
75deg  by  day,  with  80deg  to  85deg  or  90deg  through  the  day 
from  sun  heat.  Avoid  an  arid  atmosphere,  damping  occasion¬ 
ally,  and  do  not  allow  the  border  to  become  and  remain  dry. 
Vines  carrying  and  ripening  heavy  crops  will  be  assisted  in  per¬ 
fecting  them,  and  storing  nutriment  for  the  future,  by  an 
application  of  tepid  liquid  manure  or  a  top-dressing  of  fertiliser 
washed  in.  A  light  mulching  of  dry,  spent  material  will  assist 
the  Vines  by  securing  uniform  moisture.  It  is  a  stagnant 
atmosphere  that  does  most  of  the  mischief  in  Grapes  spotting 
and  oftentimes  in  cracking. 
THINNING  LATE  GRAPES. — There  must  not  be  any  delay 
in  thinning  the  berries  and  bunches.  Thin  well  to  ensure  large 
and  highly  finished  berries,  leaving  those  of  the  large-berried 
varieties,  such  as  Gros  Colman,  about  an  inch  apart,  the  oval- 
berried  varietie,s  not  requiring  so  much  room  as  the  round  ones. 
All  should  be  thinned  so  as  to  allow  space  for  their  swelling  fully 
without  wedging,  and  yet  be  so  close  when  dished  that  they 
will  retain  the  form  of  the  bunch.  A  pound  of  Grapes  per  foot 
run  of  soil  is  as  many  as  Vines  ordinarily  finish  v-ell ;  therefore 
reduce  the  bunches  so  as  to  give  about  that  weight ;  and  if  error 
is  made,  let  it  be  on  the  safe  side,  as  Vines  that  are  overcropped 
never  finish  their  fruit  well,  and  the  Grapes  are  inferior  in 
quality  and  keeping  properties. 
REGULATING  THE  GROWTHS. — All  foliage  that  can  have 
full  exposure  to  light  should  be  allowed,  but  when  the  space  is 
nearly  covered  with  leaves  keep  the  growths  closely  pinched. 
The  foliage  should  be  rather  thinner  in  the  case  of  white  Grapes 
than  in  black ;  this  more  particularly  applies  to  Muscats,  which 
require  high  elaboration  of  the  sap  to  ensure  their  assuming  a 
)-ich  golden  amber  colour.  Avoid  large  reductions  of  foliage  at 
a  timej  it  only  tends  to  cause  shaiiking  through  the  check  given 
to  the  roots.  Keep  the  growths  tied  down  from  the  glass,  and 
so  prevent  scorching.  Vines  extending  must  be  allowed  to  make 
as  much  lateral  growth  as  practicable,  but  never  permit  them 
to  interfere  with  the  principal  leaves. 
WATERING.— Inside  borders  must  be  properly  supplied  with 
water,  following  in  the  case  of  Vines  carrying  a  heavy  crop,  and 
in  vigorou.s,  but  not  luxuriant,  growth,  with  liquid  manure,  or 
a  top-dressing  of  fertiliser  washed  in  and  mulched  with  a  little 
sweetened  material  to  keep  the  surface  moist  and  attract  the 
roots.  Outside  borders  may  only  need  a  light  mulch,  as  the 
recent  rains  have  made  them  moist  enough ;  but  if  dry  a  proper- 
supply  of  liquid  manure  should  be  given  whenever  necessary. 
TEMPERATURE  AND  VENTILATION.— All  late  Grapes 
thrive  in  a  high  temperatur  e,  with  abundant  nourishment  at  the 
r  oots  and  genial  moistrrre  in  the  atmosirhere.  Maintain  a  night 
ternperatrrre  of  65deg,  and  TOdeg  to  TSdeg  by  day  in  dirll 
weather.  Admit  air  early,  and  allow  a  little  air  at  the  top  of 
the  hqrrse  constaritly,  increasing  the  ventilation  with  the  tem- 
per-atrrr-e,  advancing  from  80deg  to  85deg  from  srrn  heat,  at 
which,  or  90deg,  keep  through  the  day,  r-edrrcing  with  the 
declining  sun.  Close  at  85deg,  danrping  the  paths  then,  aird 
agarrr  before  nightfall.  It  is  well  to  close  for  a  short  time,  and 
then  admit  a  little  air,  so  as  to  pr-eveirt  a  vitiated  atmosphere, 
and  allow  of  perit-rrp  moistrrre  escaping.  Avoid  cold  drarrghts  or 
sirdden  depressions  of  temperatrrr-e,  as  thev  cause  rrr.st  and  favorrr 
the  spr-ead  of  mildew.  — G.  A.,  St.  Albans, ‘Herts. 
The  Flower  Garden. 
CARNATIONS  AND  PICOTEES.— As  the  plants  are 
advancing  now  to  blooming,  it  is  necessary  that  they  be  fur¬ 
nished  with  stakes  and  ties,  or,  better  still,  the  wire  supports 
which,  having  a  peculiar  twist  towards  the  top,  are  adapted 
for  holding  the  .stems  secrrrely  without  having  recourse  to  tying. 
Green  fly  attacks  the  plants  about  this  time,  but  it  may  be 
