310 THE GARDENER. [July 



the soil witliin their reach, and are at a standstill after having covered 

 a large surface ; or when the trees are of a smaller size suitable for 

 gardens, they have been lifted, root-pruned, and otherwise handled to 

 promote fruitfulness, and then summer-pruning is not of so much con- 

 sequence, except where tidiness is a consideration. We wish we could 

 find time to do all our pruning in summer. Some stunted trees require 

 all the growth they make to keep them in health ; in such cases mulch- 

 ing and soakings of manure-water are of great service, or lift them at 

 the proper season and place the roots in healthy soil. Cherries we find 

 more difficult to renovate than any other trees. Pears on walls should 

 have the shoots pulled off altogether where the spurs are already too 

 thick. Sun and air are of great imi)ortance in preparing the trees for 

 fruiting next year. All growths should be stopped by degrees, as great 

 quantities of wood pulled ofi" while the trees are in active growth is fatal 

 to success. We prefer going over the upper parts, then the centres, and 

 lastly along the bottom ; the growths thus become equal. Some go 

 over Pears and break the shoots half over, which answers pretty well ; 

 but the decaying leaves are untidy, and a harbour for earwigs, wood-lice, 

 &c. Finer kinds of Apples and Cherries grown on walls require simi- 

 lar treatment to Pears. Morello Cherries do best when growth is 

 medium, and a number of side shoots cut out yearly, and as many left 

 (which have started from the main branches) to fill up the vacant 

 space. Whatever is done now is so much towards reducing labour when 

 the weather is cold. Plums, Peaches, and Apricots should be kept 

 closely tied to the wall. In the north they seldom ripen their wood 

 thoroughly ; but we have seen in the south-west of England, Apricots 

 and Plums growing far out from the walls, and bearing heavy crops of 

 fine fruit — but locality makes all the difierence. Where there is rank 

 growth and little fruit on wall-trees, a little root-pruning at this season 

 can be practised with the best results. As an example, we half lifted two 

 Plums last season (Dovebank and Washington) which were all wood 

 and leaves, and little fruit. The roots were replaced in healthy loam 

 made firm; little more growth was made, and the few fruit ripened very 

 w'ell. By the end of October the leaves were turning yellow. We then 

 lifted the other portion of the trees. They are now bearing good crops 

 and looking exceedingly healthy. By this treatment no time is lost, 

 as often occurs when the whole of the roots are lifted in early winter. 

 Let grubs be picked off at once whenever they appear. Apricots 

 are liable to their attacks. Hellebore powder we often use with 

 excellent effect on wall-trees. Place 4 ounces in 2 or 3 gallons of 

 water, thoroughly stir it, and apply with a syringe to the under sides 

 of the leaves. 



Roses will be tempted by good soakings of water. Guano or any 



