REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. 115 



Some of the effects not clearly shown in the table were the much greater 

 amount of dead wood, the more frequency of the sun scalds, and the uuevenness of 

 the growth of the fall planted trees, as compared to those set out in the spring. 



These results are more marked in the case of the tenderer varieties and those most 

 difficult to transplant, such as Black Walnut, Eed Oak and Mountain Ash. In 

 the case of Green Ash, which is very hardy, and one of the easiest trees to trans- 

 plant, slightly greater growth was made by those transplanted in the spring; other- 

 wise there was no difference between the two sets. On the whole it is safe to con- 

 clude that in the case of trees which do not transplant easily and which are not 

 strictly hardy, spring planting is attended with better results than autumn 

 planting. 



PEUNING OAKS IN MID-SUMMER. 



The following experiment was suggested incidentally in connection with the too 

 severe summer pruning of a number of oaks standing in nursery rows. These had 

 been trimmed higher than desired, and in order to learn if it was possible to form 

 a new head the same season, they were cut back in July with the results delineated 

 below : — 



A. Three trees cut back to one tear old wood. — These made a feeble start the 

 same year, and produced a growth of a few inches which was winter killed. 



Their condition in the fall of 1893, was as follows : — 



No. 1.— Dead. 



No. 2. — To the ground. 



No. 3. — Sprouting feebly at two feet from the ground. 



B. Three trees cut back to two year old wood. — No. 1, grew six inches the 

 same season and eighteen inches the following summer. Fairly healthy but slightly 

 sun scalded. 



No. 2 and 3 made a slight growth the same summer, and a growth of fourteen 

 to sixteen inches in 1893. Numerous dead points on all three. 



C. Three trees cut back to three year old wood. — Each made a growth of 

 from six to twelve inches the same season. During 1893 a growth of fifteen to 

 twenty inches was made of well ripened wood. All fairly vigorous and healthy. 

 Dead points not prominent. 



D. Three trees cut back to pour year old wood. — No. 1, made a growth of 

 ten inches which was slightly killed back the first year ; 1893 a strong growth was 

 made, but the tree was ill-shapen and spreading. 



No. 2, made a weak growth which was mostly killed back the following winter. 



No. 3, was killed to the ground last winter. 



We can readily gather from the above that trees, however hardy and vigorous 

 should not be heavily pruned during the season of active growth, and also that in 

 the case of Red Oak, adventitious buds (by whose agency foliage is renewed) are 

 most easily developed on three year old branches; so that if severe pruning is 

 necessary during summer, it is best to cat back at once to this point. 



PROPAGATION OF ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS AND CONIFERS. 



The ease with which many of our most valued ornamental shrubs may be pro- 

 pagated is not generally understood and appreciated. The methods employed in 

 multiplying such fruits as grapes, currants and gooseberries, which may or should 

 be classed among the necessities of life, are universally understood, and there is little 

 excuse for any one — no matter how small the number of plants he starts with — if he 

 does not increase the number sufficiently to meet the home demand. 



With ornamental shrubs a more general knowledge of simple methods of pro- 

 pagation by the farmei*, would give an increased interest and would redound to the 

 benefit of the planter as well as the nurseryman. 

 3c— 8i 



