280 THE GARDENER. [June 



in at first are always insufficient for their purpose, at least in training 

 young or pliable wood. The branches must not be trained along the 

 line of studs, or a likely consequence would be that the wood will get 

 grown about them, if tied tightly ; and if tied loosely, they cannot be 

 close to the wall, and the winds would be liable to throw them loose 

 altogether. The ties being done with matting, are not to be depended 

 on for bearing much strain the second year. As the branches are 

 taken between the two rows of studs, therefore each tie is about 4 

 inches in length ; and if the piece of matting used be at all stout, it will 

 in my opinion be more unsightly than a neat shred, which can be 

 nailed close to the branch, and yet not be so tight as to cut into it 

 during its growth. Stand a few yards in front of a wall done in this 

 fashion, and from which a tree has just been taken ; extra studs have 

 been put in from time to time, and of course these cannot be driven 

 deep, not often one-third of their length ; well, there they are, each 

 head of them three times the size of a nail-head. Then they cannot 

 be drawn well. It is easy to give a nail a tap on the head, give a 

 twist and draw it out ; but try a lot of studs in the same way, if you 

 don't smash the eye you break it off short with the wall, or if you 

 draw it, out comes half an inch or even more of the lime along with 

 it. Sometimes you can draw, without much breakage, some of the 

 extra-strong sorts, but these require no pointing out to show their 

 unloveliness. On calculating the difference of the two pieces of metal, 

 you will find that to do a tree properly, about thrice the time is 

 required to do it with the studs ; and take into account the extra 

 labour and cost, there will remain a pretty round balance in favour of 

 the nail. Every nail can be drawn from a piece of blank wall, and 

 come again into use ; with studs, the originals must remain while the 

 wall lasts — a continual eyesore where not filled up — and of the rest 

 the one-half will be useless by breakage. As for the harbouring of 

 insects, I have never yet seen the difference, so I think that may go 

 for nothing. 



But on looking over, I find that I have said a great deal on a very 

 small subject — not too much, however ; and I trust it may have the 

 consideration of all gardeners, to whom time and labour are important 

 objects. E. S. 



HORTICULTURAIi EXHIBITION'S. 



Royal Botanic Society, Regent's Park, April 27. — This was the second of the 

 small spring shows, but so meagre was the tent room provided that a good many 

 of the plants had to be placed in the conservatory, and visitors came upon them 

 quite unexpectedly in nooks and corners, and quite away from other groups of a 



