504 THE GARDENER. [Nov. 



wbicli the fibres were matted ; but the principal feeders were far down 

 into the bottom, which was only poor sand, which could not keep fruit- 

 trees in existence. A firm bottom of loam and stones has kept the roots 

 in their place, and the trees every year bear heavy crops of fine fruit. 

 We examined a large old tree last season, which always carried fine 

 crops of fruit, but was difiicult to keep free from red-s^^ider. Though 

 the border inside the house was matted with roots, the spider would 

 come when the structure was kept drenched with moisture. We found 

 that a number of large roots had found their way under the concrete of a 

 vine-border. We cut them clean off, and applied a good dressing of cow- 

 dung over the remaining roots, and a fine crop of fruit has been picked, 

 and the tree is in finer condition than ever we saw it, no spider having 

 appeared. A house of Vines we once examined at the roots, which had 

 been planted in a carefully-formed border of excellent loam, bones, &c. ; 

 but the drainage rested on sandy gravel, in which the roots found their 

 way, and ran many feet downwards. Red-spider, in the autumn, 

 always appeared in great force ; no prevention had any effect on it, while 

 a house of Vines adjoining growing in similar loam resting on concrete 

 never showed spider at all, even though the weather was ever so dry 

 or fine, heat ever so strongly applied, The upper stratum of roots 

 often keeps the trees well supplied for a time, and while the supply is to 

 be had from those lower down, red-spider, and badly coloured or cracked 

 fruit are the result. Quantities of good Pears are now had from standard 

 trees here ; until they were lifted from the miserable subsoil, small, 

 gritty, and cracked fruit was all that was produced. Pruning of 

 trees and bushes may be proceeded with as soon as the leaves are all 

 off. Apples, if in bush form, may be pruned to spurs left on upright 

 rods, cutting out all crop shoots, keeping the hearts open, allowing 

 young shoots to take the place of old ones wearing out. Trees, to keep 

 them healthy and vigorous, should have a portion of old wood cut out 

 yearly, and enough young growth left to take the place of the old. 

 This rule should apply to all fruit-trees. Continued spurring-in brings 

 on stunting and premature decay. Currants, red and white, may be 

 treated like Apples. Black Currants do best by thinning out a portion 

 of young and old wood, keeping the bush healthy and vigorous with 

 upright clean wood. Gooseberries require to be severely thinned, cut- 

 ting out crossing branches, spurring-in to the main stems, leaving a 

 supply of young wood, and removing old crooked branches. Little 

 topping of the wood is necessary, if upright sturdy leaders can be 

 secured. Save prunings true to name, to keep up a stock of fresh 

 bushes ; put them in by the lower ends, to keep them fresh till the cut- 

 tings can be made. Apple and Pear shoots may be kept for grafts. 

 Wall-trees should be pruned in open weather, leaving Peaches, Nectar- 



