June 
1904. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  '  GARDENER. 
rc  7 
WOKK,F0fl.THE  WEEK.  ^ 
Fruit  Forcing. 
VINES  CLEANED  OF  THEIR  CROPS.- Syiini>;c  occasion¬ 
ally  to  keep  the  foliage  clean,  afford  water  to  render  the  soil 
moist,  innlch  the  border  with  short,  spent  material,  and  thus 
prevent  the  surface  cracking,  whilst  encouraging  the  roots  to 
work  at  the  upper  part  of  the  border.  Allow  a  moderate  exten¬ 
sion  of  the  laterals,  and  admit  air  freely  above  hOdeg.  There  is 
no  fear  of  the  wood  not  ripening,  and  the  difficulty  is  to  prevent 
its  doing  so  prematurely. 
MELONS.  —  Plants  with  the  fruit  ripeniiig  must  have  a 
plentiful  supply  of  aii‘,  and  water  should  he  withheld  from  the 
fruit.  If  the  plants  are  strong,  and  there  is  a  disposition  to 
crack,  in  addition  to  withholding  water,  cut  the  growths  about 
halfway  through  a  few  inches  below  the  fruit.  A  diy  atmo¬ 
sphere  is  essential,  and  a  temperature  of  70dcg  to  75deg  arti¬ 
ficially,  falling  about  odeg  at  night.  If  the  sun  be  powerful, 
])lace  a  slight  .shade  of  some  kind  directly  over  the  fruit  so  as  to 
ensure  their  ripening  evenly  and  gradually.  Water  only  to  pre¬ 
vent  flagging.  A  slight  shade  after  a  dull  period  is  better  than 
heavy  waterings  and  a  close,  vitiated  atmosphere. 
PEACHES  AND  NECTARINES— PEARLY  HOUSE  — The 
fruit  will  shortly  he  all  gathered,  therefore  admit  all  the  air 
possible  day  and  night.  If  the  roof  lights  of  the  earlie.st  forced 
hou.s-e  are  moveable,  take  them  off  after  the  trees  have  had  full 
ventilation  for  a  fortnight,  and  keep  the  trees  free  from  insects 
by  forcible  syringing.  I^et  the  borders  be  duly  watered,  afford 
liquid  manure  to  weakly  trees,  which  helps  them  to  plump  the 
buds,  and  mulch  with  short  manure.  Cut  away  the  wood  which 
has  borne  fruit  to  the  shoot  at  the  base  intended  to  bear  frnit 
next  season, unless  such  shoot  is  required  for  extension.  If  there 
be  any  superfluity  of  shoots  remove  them  now  ;  they  only  keep 
air  and  light  from  the  principal  foliage,  and  hinder  cleansing 
operations.  Keep  laterals  and  any  gross  shoots  closely  stopjjed. 
HOUSES  WITH  FRUIT  RIPENING.— The  trees  must  not 
be  syringed,  but  moderate  moisture  should  be  maintained  until 
the  fruit  is  ripe  ;  even  when  ripe  an  arid  atmosphere  should  be 
avoided,  as  it  is  highly  prejudicial  to  the  principal  foliage. 
Water  mu.st  be  given  liberally,  but  not  excessively,  at  the 
roots.  Admit  air  abundantly.  In  gathering  Peaches,  great  care 
is  necessary,  as  the  least  presstire  makes  a  mark,  and  spoils  their 
appearance.  A  piece  of  wadding  should  be  held  in  the  hand, 
and  the  fruit  removed  by  gentle  pressure,  then  laid  gently  in 
a  padded  basket  or  tray.  A  cool,  airy  fruit-room  is  the  best 
place  for  Peaches  and  Nectarines  after  they  are  gathered. 
LATE  HOUSES. — Train  the  growths  thinly,  reserving  a 
.shoot  at  the  base  of  the  current  year’s  bearing  wood,  and  stop 
those  on  a  level  with  or  above  the  fruit  at  two  or  three  leaves, 
and  succeeding  growths  at  a  joint  or  two.  Side  shoots  or  exten¬ 
sions  not  reqtiired  for  forming  bearing  rvood,  or  for  furnishing 
the  trees,  stop  at  an  inch  dr  two  of  growth  to  form  spurs.  Thin 
the  fruit  to  a  few  more  than  will  be  required  for  the  crop,  retain¬ 
ing  the  largest  and  best-placed.  There  should  not  be  more  than 
one  fruit  to  each  "Square  foot  of  trellis  covered  by  the  trees,  but 
a  few  more  may  qe  left  to  meet  casualties  in  stoning.  Syringe 
twice  a  day  except  on  dull  days.  During  the  prevalence  of  dull 
weather  an  occasional  .syringing  will  be  all  that  is  requii-ed,  as 
it  does  not  answer  to  keep  moisture  hanging  on  the  foliage. 
Water  inside  borders  as  necessary,  and  afford  liquid  manure  to 
weakly  trees.  Mulch  the  borders  lightly  with  short  manure,  and 
keep  it  moi.steued  as  it  becomes  dry. — G.  A.,  St.  Albans,  Herts. 
The  Flower  Garden. 
WALLFLOWERS. — The  transplanting  of  Wallflowers  from 
the  seed-beds  .should  take  place  now  at  favourable  opportunities, 
so  as  to  obtain  a  good  .stock  of  plants  to  furnish  beds  and  borders 
in  autumn.  The  later-sown  beds  may  require  a  short  time 
longer  to  strengthen.  Select  a  piece  of  open  ground  where  the 
soil  is  of  moderate  fertility,  and  prepare  it  by  deeply  digging  and 
working  in  .some  decayed  manure,  or  any  old  material  which 
will  enrich  the  ground.  In  transplanting,  form  a  trench  deep 
enough  only  to  4dmit  the  roots  straight  down.  The  trenches 
may  be  bin  apart,  and  the  seedlings  bin  asunder:  Should  the 
ground  be  very  dry,  after  partially  covering  over  tlu'  roots  and 
making  firm,  give  a  good  soaking  before  filling  in  the  trench. 
This  will  carry  them  on  without  water  for  some  time. 
SEEDS  TO  SOW.  -  To  ohtahi  a  good  stock  of  Pansies,  Violas, 
Colunahines,  Canterbury  Rolls,  Primroses,  and  Polyanthuses, 
seeds  may  be  sown  at  the  j)resent  time.  Secure  good  strains 
from  a  reliable  fiiun.  Prepare  a  bed  on  a  sheltered  piece  of 
:  ground  or  in  a  fiaine.  Sow  i}i  drills  or  broadcast,  merely 
covering  the  .seed  with  fine  soil.  Keep  moist  and  shaded  until 
germination  ensues,  then  aff’oid  abundant  li.ght.  and  protect 
c,ccording  to  needs.  As  the  plants  increase  in  size,  prick  out 
sepai-ately. 
REDS  AND  RORDJdRS.  —  Cut  off  the  withered  flower  stems 
from  Larkspurs,  Pyi’ethruius,  .Eveilasting  and  Sweet  Peas, 
Ro.ses,  Pansies,  and  Violas.  Ry  so  doing,  many  of  these  will  b(j 
enabled  to  continue  floAvering  longer  than  they  otherwise  would. 
Pinks  will  he  in  full  bloom,  and  Carnations  must  have  all  the 
fiowei'  stems  supported.  Thin  out  annuals  further,  encouraging 
growth  by.  stirring  the  soil  about  them.  All  recently  planted 
subjects  Avill  be  the  better  foi'  having  the  .soil  stirred  about 
them,  and  kept  clear  of  weeds.  Now  that  the  plants  in  beds 
and  borders  are  becoming  established  in  their  positions,  water¬ 
ings  will  not  he  so  frequently  necessaiy.  Peg  down  as  necessary 
all  plants  of  a  trailing  habit. 
PROPAGATING  PYRETHRUMS,  PENTSTEMONS, 
PHLOXES.— It  is  es.sential  to  propagate  young  .stock  of  thes(! 
as  soon  as  side  .shoots  are.  obtainable  during  the  summer.  Pre¬ 
pare  a  bed  of  light,  sandy  soil  in  a  frame  or  on  a  moist  border. 
Stocky  young  shoots  of  a  short  jointed  character,  Avithout  an.y 
flower  buds  in  the  centre,  are  lif’st.  Dibber  them  in  drills  about 
2in  apart.  Keep  moi.st  and  shaded. fiom  the  strongest  sun. 
CANTERRURY  REELS.— These  being  noAv  in  flower,  large 
plants  should  be  accorded  .some  supnort,  and  as  the  individual 
flowers  decay,  cut  them  off,  and  thus  prolong  the  floAvering. 
There  will  also  be  found  among  the  flowering  plants  where  these 
Campanulas  have  been  grown  the  previous  year  a  number  of 
strong  young  seedlings.  These  Avill  prove  serviceable  for  next 
season,  making  .sturdy  plants,  which  may  be  moved  when  neces¬ 
sary. — E.  D.  S.,  Gravesend. 
The  Kitchen  Garden. 
AUTUMN  CAULIFLOWERS  AND  RROCCOLIS. -These 
should  now  be  planted  out  without  further  delay.  The  soil 
should  be  rich  and  deepl.y  cultivated  for  this  important  crop. 
The  plants  should  be  carefully  lifted,  with  as  much  soil  attached 
to  their  roots  as  po.ssible.  Good  broad  holes  should  be  made  to 
receivq  these  balls,  and  a  thorough  soaking  of  water  should  be 
given  as  the  plants  are  set  out.  If  liqAud  manure  can  be  used, 
so  much  the  better. 
LETTUCES  AND  ENDIVE. — As  soon  as  these  are  large 
enough  to  handle,  the.y  .should  be  thinned  to  a  distance  of  bin  or 
Sin  from  plant  to  plant.  It  is  much  the  safe.st  plan  to  sow  where 
the  plants  harm  to  .stand  at  this  season,  as  a  spell  of  warm 
weather  may  set  in,  Avhen  transplanted  plants  do  very  little 
good.  The  plants  should  never  want  for  Avater.  A  feAv 
soakings  of  liquid  manure  .should  be  given  if  possible.  This  Avill 
cause  a  crisp  groAvth. 
PARSLEY. — The  early  soAving  of  this  should  noAv  be  thinned 
to  Gin  to  8in  from  plant  to  plant.  "Well  groAvn  Par.sley  AA’ill  resi.st 
sharp  frost  far  better  than  plants  Avhich  have  been  draAvn  up 
Aveakly  in  thickly  soAvn  drills.  Another  soAving  should  at  once 
be  made.  A  Avarm,  dr.y  border  should  be  chosen  if  possible,  as 
the  plants  Avill  be  all  the  more  likely  to  Avinter  here.  Fill  the 
drills  Avith  Avater  an  hour  before  soAving  the  .seed,  as  Parsley 
germinates  badly  in  di'.y  AAeather. 
TURNIPS. — Frequent  .soAvinc.s  of  these  should  be  made.  At 
this  time  of  year  they  soon  become  unfit  for  the  table.  Soav  on 
a  shady  border  if  po.ssible,  and  treat  the  drills  as  for  Parsley. 
Mdie.re  the  Turnip-fly  is  troublesome,  .syringe  the  plants  with 
quassia  extract  as  soon  as  they  appear  through  the  soil. 
LATE  CARROTS.  Young  Carrots  are  generally  appreciated 
at  all  times.  If  a  soAA'ing  is  noAv  made  on  a  warm  border  they 
Avill  afford  tender  roots  in  the  autumn.  If  a  bed  can  be  .squared 
off  so  that  it  can  be  conveniently  coA-ered  Avith  a  frame,  so 
much  the  better,  as  sometimes  the  AA-eather  is  not  suitable  fol¬ 
iate  groAvth  in  autumn, 
SPINACH. — Another  soAving  of  summer  Spinach  should  noAv 
be  made.  Give  the  plants  ample  room  to  develop,  both  betweoi 
the  roAA's  and  from  plant  to  plant  AAhen  thinning.  Treat  th»A- 
drills  as  for  Parsley. 
HOEING.- It  is  important  at  this  season  to  keep  the  hoe 
going,  and  every  available  niche  should  he  frequently  hoed. 
WATERING.  — Such  kinds  of  crops  as  Peas,  Scarlet  Runners. 
Salads,  CaAdifloAver,  Ac.,  Avill  recpiire  con.stant  attention  from  the. 
hose  in  dry  AA-eather.  This,  together  AA'ith  the  hoe,  AA-ill  generally 
keep  crops  moving.  Peas  and  Reans  shotild  be  mulched  aftm-  a 
thorough  .soaking  of  AAatei-.--  A.  T.,  Cirencester. 
