October  15,  1903. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
363 
Hardy  Fruit  Garden. 
CHECKING  THE  WINTER  MOTH. — From  the  present  time 
until  the  end  of  the  year  the  winter  moth  is  on  the  wing,  but  it 
is  only  the  male  moths  which  fly,  the  females  being  only  fur¬ 
nished  with  rudimentary  wings,  consequently  they  have  to  crawl 
up  the  stems  or  trunks,  of  Apple  trees  chiefly,  for  the  purpose 
of  depositing  their  eggs.  It  is  while  in  the  act  of  ascending  the 
stems  that  means  should  be  taken  to  trap  the  female  moths. 
This  is  best  done  by  tying  grease-proof  paper  round  the  trunks 
a  few  feet  from  the  ground  in  the  case  of  standard  trees,  but 
necessarily  lower  with  bush  trees,  and  smearing  this  Avell  over 
Avith  ordinary  cart'  grease,  or  Horne’s  fruit  tree  dressing.  In 
attempting  to  cross  the  band  of  grease  the  moths  are  trapped, 
also  should  they  pass  underneath  the  paper,  their  progress  is 
stayed  by  the  tie  Avhich  bars  tbe  Avay.  Although  the  moths  are 
not  general  until  November,  it  is  desirable  to  place  the  bands 
early  so  as  to  catch  the  first  on  the  move.  The  grease  Avill  dry 
up  in  time,  but  before  this  happens  smear  the  bands  Avith  a  fresh 
supply ;  in  fact,  keep  the  surface  of  the  paper  in  a  sticky  con¬ 
dition.  A  flat  knife  may  be  used  to  lay  on  the  grease,  Avhich 
should  be  in  a  condition  that  it  does  not  run. 
TREPARATIONS  FOR  PLANTING  FRUIT  TREES.— The 
most  important  matter  requiring  attention  prior  to  planting  any 
kind  of  fruit  tree  or  bush  is  the  due  preparation  of  the  soil. 
Where  any  large  plot  of  ground  is  to  be  devoted  exclusively  to 
fruit,  the  best  method  of  preparation  is  to  trench  the  ground, 
not  doing  so  and  bringing  up  inert  material  to  the  surface,  but 
deepening  the  AAdiole  bulk  tAvo  spits  deep  by  the  process  knoAvn  as 
bastard  trenching.  Briefly  described,  this  is  a  method  of  trench¬ 
ing  Avhereby  tAvo  spits  of  .soil  are  moved,  but  still  holding  the 
same  relative  position.  Only  in  very  poor  material  should 
manure  be  applied,  and  then  only  liberally  for  small  bush 
fruits  and  StraAvberries.  Rich  soil  in  the  case  of  Apples,  Pears, 
and  stone  fruits,  producing  over-luxuriant  growth.  Where  a  tree 
here  and  there  is  only  required  to  be  planted  stations  of  sufficient 
size  may  be  prepared.  These  AA'ill  suffice.if  6ft  or  8ft  in  diameter. 
Break  up  to  a  good  depth,  and  place  in  drainage,  if  the  ground 
is  Avaterlogged,  or  raise  the  soil  above  the  natural  level.  For 
planting  trees  against  Avails  a  Avidth  of  border  should  be  pre¬ 
pared  of  3ft  tO'  6ft.  The  former  Avill  do  for  cordons,  the  latter 
for  fan-shaped  and  horizontally  trained  specimens.  All  details 
as  regards  the  soil  having  been  settled,  there  still  remain  several 
minor  points  to  be  seen  to.  Tall  trees  or  standards  Avill  require 
.stakes,  and  these  should  be  provided  in  readiness,  together  AAuth 
ties  and  .straAV  or  .strips  of  caiiAUS  toi  prevent  abrasion  of  the 
bark.  Some  flaky  manure  to  spread  over  the  roots  as  a  mulch¬ 
ing  is  necessary  also. 
THE  TREES  ON  ARRIVAL  FROM  THE  NURSERY  must 
be  carefully  unpacked,  the  roots  pruned,  and  spread  out  carefully 
in  a  trench  of  moist  soil  to  recoAmr  someAvhat  before  the  final 
planting,  Avhich,  of  course,  may  be  delayed  by  the  Aveather 
Under  this  treatment  the  trees  Avill  not  suffer,  but  may  be  form¬ 
ing  young  fibrous  roots 
THINNING  ORCHARD  TREES.  —  Trees  standing’  too 
thickly  upon  the  ground  in  orchards  are  not,  and  cannot  be,  pro¬ 
ductive.  They  are  simply  spoiling  each  other  by  the  Avhole.sale 
exclusion  of  light  and  air.  In  such  case.s  drastic  measures  are 
necessary.  First  of  all  the  trees  them.selves  should  be  thinned 
so  as  to  leave  space  all  round  each.  Then  Avill  folloAv  the  thin¬ 
ning  Put  of  branches  ;  but  too  much  ought  not  to  be  effected 
at  once.  A  little  readju.stment  may  be  made,  and  dead  or  very 
AA’eakly  Avocd  removed.  Tliis  Aiill  suffice  for  one  season.  A  more 
general  thinning  and  regulation  may  be  effected  Avhere  no  pre- 
Auous  thinning  of  trees  has  been  necessary. 
WALL  TREES. — Branch  thinning  and  sour  thinning  may 
Avell  be  carried  out  this  month.  The  branches  of  horizontally 
trained  trees  are  frequently  too  closely  together,  and  this  is  mo.st 
apparent  Avhen  the  spurs  are  elongated,  so  that  those  proceeding 
from  one  branch  compete  Avith  those  from  others.  Branches, 
however,  should  not  be  too  thickly  placed  if  not  nearer  each  other 
than  a  foot.  CroAvding  most  likely  is  then  caused  by  the  near- 
ness  together  of  clu.sters  of  .spurs.  Take  the  opportunity  to  first 
tliin  these  out,  and  then  to  shorten  the  most  prominent  anti 
the  least  fruitful  parts.  By  carrying  this  out  for  a  feiv  years 
a  gradual  improvement  Avill  be  effected. 
i^KAINED  MALL  TREES  must  also  be  examined 
removing  croAvded  branches  and  .shoots,  Aveakly  and  useless  spray’ 
exhairsted  and  debilitated  groAvths.  If  spur  growths  are  present 
a.s  tliey  may  be  on  trees  not  Avholly  confined  to  being  furnished 
with  young  shoots,  as  Peaches  and  Nectarines  usually  are,  they  i 
should  be  gradually  reduced  in  length  so  as  to  keep  the  spur.s 
close  to  the  Ai'all.  The  trimming  and  pruning  effected  aauII  neces¬ 
sitate  the  re-arranging  of  the  trees  on  the  Avail  or  fence.  This 
Avill  permit  of  giAung  full  effect  to  the  principle  of  alloAving  ample 
space  for  all  the  main  bearing  parts,  and  ensuring  good  crop.s. — 
East  Kent. 
Fruit  Forcing. 
VINES  FOR  STARTING  IN  DECEMBER.— Pruning,  if  not 
already  done,  must  not  be  further  delayed,  as  early  and  com¬ 
plete  rest  for  a  foAv  AAceks  contributes  to  an  even  break.  Pruning 
to  tAvo  buds  is  usually  folloAved  by  a  good  shoAv  of  useful  bunches, 
but  if  such  has  not  been  so  in  previous  years,  or  larger  bunche.s 
are  desired,  the  shoots  may  be  left  a  little  longer,  or  pruned 
to  the  most  promising  bud  near  to  thei  base.  What,  hoAAever, 
is  gained  in  size  of  bunch  is  usually  lost  in  compactness  thereof, 
unevenness  of  berries,  and  bad  finish.  Besides,  bunche.s  of  lib 
to  21b  weight  are  quite  large  enough  for  early  Grapes. 
Remove  any  loose  bark,  but  avoid  the  close  peeling  and 
scraping  that  injures  the  rods,  and  Avash  them  with  tepid  soapy 
Avater,  4oz  paraffin  softsoap  to  a  gallon  of  Avater,  or  Avhere'  there 
has  been  red  spider,  loz  caustic  .soda  and  loz  pearlash  to  a 
gallon  of  Avater,  or  Avhere  there  has  been  fungi  trouble  use  a 
solution  of  sulphate  of  copper,  loz  to  IJ  gallon  of  Avater,  apply 
carefully,  but  ju.st  Avetting  cAmry  part  Avith  -a  brush  moistened 
in  the  solution.  Thoroughly  cleanse  the  AvoodAvork  of  the  hoAise 
and  limewash  the  Avails.  Remove  the  surface  soil  down  to  the 
roots,  if  not  to  the  Avhole  extent  of  the  border,  for  a  distance 
of  3ft  or  4ft  from  the  stem,  and  supply  fresh  loam  so  as  to 
encourage  neAv  fibres,  and  an  extension  of  fresh  roots  from  the 
collar,  adding  about  a  quart  of  steamed  bonemeal  and  a  gallon 
of  wood  ashes  to  each  three  bushels  of  loam,  or  supply  some 
ajAproved  fertiliser,  according  to  the  instructions.  Keep  the 
house  cool,  dry,  and  airy  until  the  time  arrives  for  starting. 
HOUSES  OF  RIPE  GRAPES. — Thin-.skinned  Grapes  are  more 
susceptible  to  cold  and  damp  than  are  the  thick-skinned  Grapes. 
This  applies  equally  to  Black  Hamburgh  and  similar  kinds,  as  to 
Muscat  of  Alexandria  and  Madrevsfield  Court ;  but  Hamburgh.s 
do  not  require  a  temperature  of  over  45deg  for  good  keeping, 
and  there  must  not  be  any  deficiency  of  moisture  at  the  roots, 
cthei’Avise  the  Grapes  will  shrivel.  Lose  no  opportunity  of  giving 
air  when  the  days  are  fine,  turning  on  the  heat  Jso  as  to  cause 
a  gentle  Avarmth  in  the  hot-water  pipes. 
LATE  GRAPES. — Thick-skinned  Grapes  require  time  to 
mature  after  they  are  ripe.  Alicante,  however,  improves  nothing 
Avhatever  in  keeping,  and  is  at  its  best  as,’  soon  as  well  ripened, 
and  the  .same  may  be  said  of  Gros  Alaroc. — St.  Albans. 
- - 
Young  Gardeners’  Domain. 
The  Winter  Season. 
This  is  the  season  of  long  nights  and  shortened  days ;  and 
during  these  evenings  of  lengthened  leisure  and  freedom  from. 
Avork  in  the  garden,  the  Editor  Avould  again  extend  the  usual 
invitation  to  the  men  of  the  bothjq  to  send  short  notes  on  the 
subjects  Avith  Avhich  they  are  chiefly  engaged.  M^e  have  had 
a  letter  on  the  bothy  question  during  the  pa.st  week ;  but  that 
matter,  we  think,  aa'bs  sufficiently  debated  in  these  pages  last 
spring,  and  for  the  nonce,  may  be  left  at  rest.  Mmuld  writers 
please  confine  their  efforts  to  from  300  to  500  Avords,  Avriting 
clearly,  and  only  on  one  side  of  the  paper?  Horticulture  is 
wide,  and  its  pha.ses  are  numerous;  the'  choice  of  a  .subject 
cannot  be  difficult. 
- ^ - 
Old  English  Gaeden  Books  and  Gardening  to  the  End  op 
THE  17th  Century. — The-  first  monthly  meeting  of  the  present 
session  of  the  Isle  of  Wight  Horticultural  Association  was  held 
at  Mh.rburton’.s  Hotel,  Newport,  under  the  presidency  of  Dr. 
Groves,  J.P.  After  the  reading  of  the  minutes  of  the  last  meet¬ 
ing,  and  reports  of  the  Association  Excursion  to  Ryde,  and  of 
the  recent  SAA’eet  Pea  ShoAV  having  been  -  approved  and  con¬ 
firmed,  the  Chairman,  in  the;  course  of  a.  stirring  address,  con¬ 
gratulated  the  Association  on  the  progress  made.  Subsequently 
be  read  a  most  interesting  and  instructive  paper,  entitled  “  Old 
English  Garden  Books  and  Gardening  tO’  the  End  of  the  17th 
Century.”  The  doctor  prefaced  his  paper  by  remarking  that  to 
fully  comprehend  things  of  the  present  Ave  must  be  Avell  conver¬ 
sant  Avith  the  past  history  of  the  subject  dealt  with,  so  that 
the  standard  of  to-day  might  be  judged  by  the  standard  of 
time.  In  concluding  his  revieAv  of  Old  English  garden  literature 
and  his  delightful  excursions  into  Old  English  gardens,  Dr. 
Groves  remarked  that  Avhen  Ave  read  old  gardening  books;  we 
are  inclined  to  say.  “  There  is  nothing  ncAv  under  the  sun.” 
The  certificates  at  the  Siveet  Pea  Show  Avere  distributed  to  the 
succe.ssful  exhibitors.  Tavo  new  members  Avere  elected.  The 
next  meeting  Avill  be  at  IVarburton’.s  Hotel,  Avhen  Mr.  J.  H. 
Silsbury,  of  Shanklin,  Avill  deal  Avith  “  Chrysanthemum  Culture.’^ 
