90 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
July  23,  1903. 
have  the  latter  number  of  leaves  left.  Some  thinning  out  may 
also  be  done,  taking  the  opportunity  to  dispense  with  weakly 
.spray  growing  towards  the  interior,  or  crowded  shoots  pushing 
in  any  direction. 
PREPARING  GROUND  FOR  STRAWBERRIES.— The 
season  for  planting,  especially  early  prepared  plants,  will  soon  be 
upon  us,  hence  it  is  very  essential  that  the  ground  should  be  in 
readiness  for  inserting  the  plants  without  undue  delay.  Some 
growers  wisely  decide  in  the  spring  previous  where  the  quarter  of 
early  Strawberries  shall  be  established,  liberally  manuring  and 
deeply  digging  the  position  at  that  time,  growing  thereon  a  crop 
.such  as  Potatoes,  which  can  be  removed  in  time  to  plant  Straw¬ 
berries.  This  is  a'  good  method,  as  the  ground  becomes 
ameliorated  and  improved  by  the  cultui'e  afforded,  during  the 
occupancy  of  the  soil  by  the  summer  crop.  But  little  labour  is 
attached  to  preparing  the  soil  for  planting.  It  suffices  to  fork 
over  the  surface  and  break  down  lumps,  removing  weeds  nnd 
Potato  haulm.  If  such  ground  is  not  available,  liberal  prepara¬ 
tion  must  be  given  a  suitable  plot.  The  soil  must  be  moved 
deeply,  and  the  best  manner  of  doing  so  is  by  bastard  trenching — 
that  is,  digging  the  soil  two  spits  deep,  but  not  changing  the  posi¬ 
tion  of  the  spits.  At  the  same  time  incorporate  a  fair  dressing 
of  well-rotted  manure.  This  ought  to  be  done  as  early  a.s  possible 
now  in  order  to  give  time  for  the  ground  to  become  consolidated. 
Very  light,  sandy  soil  must  be  trodden  firmly  when  in  a  mode¬ 
rately  dry  state. 
TREATMENT  OF  STRAWBERRY  BEDS  AFTER  FRUIT¬ 
ING. — Immediately  fruit  has  all  been  gathered  from  the  beds  the 
nets  used  for  protecting  the  fruit  must  be  cleared  off.  The  next 
step  should  be  to  cut  out  superfluous  runners.  If  more  are 
wanted  to  root  for  stock  they  will  all  be  superfluous,  but  in  the 
event  of  a  number  being  z-equired  for  this  purpose,  a  selection  of 
the  best  must  be  made,  and  the  rest  cleared  away.  Those  re¬ 
tained  may  be  pegged  down  on  a  layer  of  fresh  soil,  and  kept 
well  watered.  Layering  in  pots  or  on  square  pieces  of  turf  may 
be  done  if  this  is  more  convenient.  The  strongest  runners  ought 
in  all  cases  to  be  selected  for  layei-ing,  cutting  off  all  growth  be^ 
yond. — E.Z.ST  Kent. 
Frnit  Forcing. 
PEACHES  AND  NECTARINES  :  EARLY  FORCED  TREES. 
— Trees  in  pots  of  the  very  early  vai'ieties,  such  as  Amsdeiz  June, 
Alexander,  Waterloo,  Early  Beatrice,  and  Early  Louise  Peaches; 
Cardinal,  Pi-ecoce  de  Croncels,  Early  Rivers,  and  Rivers’  Oi’ange 
Nectarines,  may  be  placed  outdoors  as  soon  as  the  wood  has 
become  firm,  assigning  them  a  sheltered,  sunny  situation,  stand¬ 
ing  the  pots  on  a  bed  of  rough  ashes,  and  covering  the  pots  up 
to  the  rims  with  sifted  ashes,  keeping  duly  syringed  and  supplied 
with  water.  They  will  then  not  be  liable  to  over-maturity  of 
wood  and  buds,  and  blossom  buds  will  form  on  the  latei’als,  which 
usually  set  freely.  Planted-out  trees  started  at  or  before  the 
new  year  have  been  cleared  of  fruit,  and  the  wood  on  whicli  it 
was  borne  removed.  This,  and  the  taking  out  of  any  superfluous 
shoots,  admit  light  and  air,  so  that  the  wood  retained  becomes 
brown  and  hard,  and  the  buds  attaiiz  perfect  formation,  but  this 
is  contingent  upon  clean  foliage  and  proper  supplies  of  nourish¬ 
ment.  The  trees,  therefore,  must  be  syringed,  and,  if  necessary, 
have  an  approved  insecticide  promptly  applied,  supplying  water, 
and  in  case  of  weakly  ti'ees  liquid  manure,  to  the  roots,  so  as  to 
keep  the  soil  beautifully  moist.  Mulching  with  light,  rather 
lumpy  manure  a  couple  of  inches  thick,  will  keep  the  surface 
moist,  the  roots  active,  prevent  the  soil  cracking,  and  assist  in 
the  retention  of  the  foliage  in  health.  The  buds  will  be 
sufficieiztly  advanced,  and  the  wood  matured,  to  allow  the  roof 
lights  to  be  removed,  and  this  should  not  be  fui'ther  delayed. 
This  secures  a  sort  of  rest,  has  a  most  beneficial  effect  on  the 
trees,  while  the  soil  becomes  well  moisteized  by  the  autumn  rains. 
SUCCESSION  HOUSE.S. — The  graizd  midseasoiz  varieties 
Dymond,  Royal  Geoi’ge,  Grosse  Mignonne,  Noblesse,  Bellegai'de, 
and  Goshawk  Peaches :  Loi’d  Napier,  Stanwick  Eli'uge,  Hum¬ 
boldt,  and  Pineapple  Nectarines,  are  now  ripening  on  ti'ees 
started  in  Februaiy,  and  leave  very  little  to  be  desired  in  size, 
form,  colour,  and  quality.  As  the  fruit  is  cleai'ed  off  the  ti'ees 
cut  out  the  wood  that  has  borne  it,  thinning  the  growths  where 
they  are  so  close  that  the  foliage  cannot  have  due  exposui'e  to 
light  and  air.  Cleanse  the  growths  of  dust,  red  spider,  and  other 
insects,  by  means  of  the  syringe  or  engine  with  water,  using  an 
insecticide  if  necessary.  Keep  the  borders  moist,  not  soddeued, 
affording  liquid  manure  if  the  trees  are  weak,  have  boi'iie  heavily, 
and  the  buds  are  not  developing  well,  but  keep  it  from  those 
inclined  to  over-luxuriance.  Stop  all  laterals  to  one  joint,  but 
where  the  buds  are  in  an  advanced  condition  allow  a  little  lateral 
extension,  which  prevents  the  premature  ripening  of  the  foliage 
by  continuing  the  root  action,  with,  at  the  same  time,  growth 
on  which  to  expand  it,  without  danger  of  starting  the  principal 
buds.  When  the  buds  are  well  formed,  the  fruit  .having  been 
cleared  off  the  trees,  remove  the  roof  lights.  If  under  fixed  roofs 
veiztilate  to  the  fullest  possible  extent. 
TREES  SWELLING  THEIR  CROPS. — The  ti'ees  started  in 
March  have  stoned,  and  are  taking  the  last  swelling.  Draw  the 
leaves  aside  and  raise  the  fruit  by  means  of  laths,  with  the  apex 
to  the  light.  Water  the  inside  border,  and  outside  if  inclined 
to  dryncvss,  affording  liquid  manure  and  a  mulch  of  lumpy  manure. 
Avoid  a  close  surface,  for  it  excludes  air;  to  be  open  is  essential 
for  the  assimilation  of  food  for  taking  up  by  the  roots,  as  its 
elaboration  by  healthy  foliage.  Ventilate  early  ;  in  fact,  leave 
a  little  air  on  all  night,,  syringing  and  damping  by  7  a.m. 
and  through  the  early  part  of  the  day  ventilate  fi'eely.  When 
the  sun  loses  power  in  the  aftei'iioon  I'educe  the  ventilation,  and 
raise  the  tempei'atui'e  to  85deg  to  90deg,  about  4  p.m.,  with 
a  good  syringing  and  damping  of  surfaces,  but  it  must  be  done 
with  judgmeizt,  for  when  water  hangs  for  any  length  of  time  on 
the  fruit  during  the  last  swelling  it  is  apt  to  damage  the  skin, 
cau.sing  it  to  crack,  and  imparting  a  musty  flavour.  Therefore, 
have  tlze  fruit  di'y  before  night,  and  if  the  day  is  dull,  omit  the 
iziorning  syringing.  Directly  the  fruit  commences  to  soften  or 
ripen  cease  syringing,  but  afford  air  moisture  by  damping  the 
paths,  and  especially  the  border,  whenever  it  becomes  dry,  venti¬ 
lating  rather  freely,  and  admit  a  bit  of  air  throughout  the  night. 
LATE  HOUSES. — If  it  is  desired  to  accelerate  the  ripening 
ventilate  rather  fi'eely  in  the  early  part  of  the  day,  and  up  to 
the  early  part  of  the  afternoon,  then  keep  the  heat  obtained  by 
reducing  the  ventilation,  so  as  to  secure  80deg  to  85deg,  and  at 
about  4  p.m.  close,  syringe  well,  and  no  hai'in  will  come  if  the 
temperature  rise  to  90deg  or  95deg,  ventilating  a  little  at  the 
apex  about  6  o’clock  so  as  to  let  the  pent-up  moisture  escape 
and  the  temperature  gradually  cool  down.  Regulate  and  tie 
down  the  shoots  as  they  advance,  allowing  no  more  than  are 
necessary  for  next  year’s  fruiting  or  for  fui'iiishing  the  trees. 
Let  all  have  space  for  development,  keeping  laterals  stopped  to 
one  leaf,  and  retain  growths  to  attract  the  sap  to  the  fruit.  Any 
gross  shoots  pushing  laterals  from  the  leaf  buds  may  be  cut  back 
to  where  the  buds  remain  intact,  or,  if  likely  to  disarrange  the 
equilibrium  of  the  trees,  cut  them  out  altogther.  They  only 
tend  to  pi'omote  gumming,  imperfect  setting,  and  certain  casting 
of  the  fruit  iiz  stoning.  Draw  the  leaves  aside  from  the  fruits, 
whicli  raise  fi'om  the  under  side  of  the  trellis,  and  expose  to  the 
sun.  If  the  fruit  is  to  be  retarded  ventilate  freely  day  and  night, 
but  not,  as  a  rule,  have  I'ecourse  to  shading,  though  a  slight 
.shade  obtained  by  drawing  herring  nets  over  the  roof  lights  is 
beneficial  than  otherwise  where  the  panes  of  glass  are  large. 
Ob.serve  the  conditions  laid  down  in  the  pi'eceding  paragraph 
after  the  fruit  commences  I'ipening,  also  as  to  assisting  the 
swelling. 
WALL  CASES. — Secui'e  the  growths  to  the  trellis  as  they 
advance,  being  careful  to  allow  space  in  the  trees  for  the  swelling 
of  the  shoots,  neglect  of  this  being  often  a  precursor  of  gumming. 
Keep  the  gi'owths  thin  to  allow  of  the  foliage  having  full  exposure 
to  light  and  air  and  for  development.  Syringe  about  7  a.m., 
the  house  having  a  little  ventilation  instantly,  increasiiig  tem¬ 
perature  to  7odeg,  or  if  it  is  desired  to  accelerate  the  ripening 
maintain  a  temperature  of  80deg  to  85deg  during  the  day,  but 
always  with  ventilation,  and  close  sufficiently  early  to  maintain 
that  temperatui'e.  but  not  to  raise  it  above  90deg.  Syringe  again 
about  5  p.m.  Red  spider  will  not  make  much  headway,  pro¬ 
vided  the  syringing  is  thorough,  and  the  trees  are  well  supplied 
with  water  at  tlze  z'oots.  Afford  liquid  manure  to  weakly  trees, 
especially  those  heavily  cz'opped.  Thin  finally  directly  the  fruit 
is  .stoned.  Neglect  of  early  thinning  results  izz  thin-fleshed, 
fiavouz'less  fruits,  and  they  sometimes  ripen  prematurely. — 
St.  Albans. 
Meteorological  Obseryations  at  ChiswicL 
Takezz  izi  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society’s  Gardens  at  Chis¬ 
wick,  height  above  sea  level  24  feet. 
Date. 
Direction  of 
Wind. 
Temperature  of  the 
Air. 
Rain. 
Temperature  of 
the  Soil. 
At  9  A. 11. 
Lowest 
Temperature 
on  Grass. 
1903. 
July. 
At  9  A. 11. 
Day. 
Night 
At 
1-ft. 
deep. 
At 
2-ft. 
deep. 
At 
4-ft. 
deep. 
Drv 
Bulb. 
Wet 
Bulb. 
03 
0) 
5 
■4^ 
CQ 
0) 
o 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
Ins. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
Sundav  ...12 
N.W. 
S2-7 
61-0 
67-2 
600 
— 
66  9 
62-6 
57  9 
56-7 
Monday  ...13 
N.W. 
58-6 
53  0 
64-9 
46-3 
— 
64-7 
62-4 
580 
35  0 
Tuesday  ...14 
N.W. 
62  0 
55  2 
69  2 
45-3 
— 
62-0 
61'8 
58T 
34-5 
Wed'sday  15 
W.N.W. 
64-7 
58-3 
75-7 
54 '0 
— 
62  8 
61-3 
581 
47-6 
Thursday  16 
S.W. 
64-4 
60-0 
66-6 
54-6 
0  09 
63-7 
61-5 
58-1 
46-3 
Friday  ...17 
S.W. 
65-5 
60-4 
71-2 
56-2 
0-75 
631 
61-3 
58-1 
45-8 
Saturday  18 
N.E. 
61-6 
60-0 
71-0 
57-5 
0T5 
63-5 
61-5 
58-2 
50-9 
Total. 
Means  ... 
62-8 
58-3 
69  4 
53-4 
0-99 
63-8 
61-8 
58-1 
45-3 
Rather  dull  weather,  with  sonze  thunder  showers  towards  the  eizd 
!  of  the  week. 
