FEBRUARY. 43 



THE FRUITIST. 



The Cosford Nut. This most excellent of all the true Nuts is 

 but little known ; it, however, deserves a place in every garden for 

 its abundant bearing, its sweetness, and excellent flavour, and for its 

 very thin shell. In size it is between the common Hazel-nut and 

 the large Cob, and is slightly cleft at its extreme end, so that it will 

 open with a smart pressure of the finger and thumb. For garden- 

 culture, in common with the Filbert, it is better to graft it on straight 

 stems four to five feet in height, raised from seed of the Spanish 

 Nut ; it must, however, be grafted by approach, or inarched. Pretty 

 round-headed trees are soon formed, occupying but little space, and 

 abundantly prolific. 



The Purple-leafed Filbert. This is commonly known in 

 nurseries as the Purple-leafed Nut ; it is, however, a true Filbert, of 

 the same excellent flavour as the red and white Filbert. Hitherto 

 it has been considered merely an ornamental shrub, which indeed it 

 is, with its large purple leaves ; but it well deserves a place in the 

 fruit-garden, and more particularly as a standard, as recommended 

 for the Cosford Nut, As it is, however, imjjossible to procure plants 

 tall enough to inarch a stock four feet in height, dwarf plants may 

 be potted, then placed on a platform or any four-legged stool three 

 feet in height, the stocks planted close to the platform, and the shoots 

 thus brought to the proper height, so as to be easily inarched. 



T. R. 



OUR MONTHLY REMEMBRANCER. 



Auriculas will require protection from cold winds, &c. As the 

 fibres move, a mat or two should be thrown over the frames at night ; 

 and towards the latter end it may be increased to three. Give air 

 whenever the weather will permit, but close the frames against frosty 

 winds. More frequent supplies of water may now be given, and 

 the quantity increased as the plants advance in growth. Rain is 

 more beneficial than artificial waterings. Top-dress if the weather 

 is open ; look over the young stock in small pots at the same time, 

 and select those most likely to throw good blooms, or all that have 

 filled their pots with roots, and shift them into a size larger. This 

 should be done without breaking the ball of earth ; and if the fibres 

 are much entwined among the drainage -crocks, do not disturb them, 

 the crocks will do no harm ; cleanse all pots before using them a 

 second time, prepare tallies, crocks for drainage, and have every 

 necessary in readiness before commencing the work. Remove the 

 top-soil down to the roots, which should be disturbed as little as 

 possible. Take away all offsets that have a shoulder or tap formed, 

 in order to strengthen the plant for blooming, and fill up with fresh 

 soil a little above the bottom part of the foliage, covering the stem 

 well. Plant the largest and best-rooted offsets in separate pots, and 

 those with fewer fibres two or more in a pot. Protect them in a 

 cold frame, or under a handglass, till they have become established. 



