1869.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 505 



ines, and Apricots till February or March. Pears should be spurred 

 in closely, leaving the side spurs close to the wall ; old spurs may be 

 thinned out if they are too thick. The centres of young trees may be 

 cut back if a supply of wood is scanty, but for no other reason would 

 we cut back young trees. Plums may be allowed to retain all natural 

 spurs when they are well placed, but nothing should be allowed to grow 

 straight out from the walls. Where proper attention was given during 

 the growing season, there will be little to do with the knife now. Figs 

 may be wrapped up with straw-bands for protection, or thatch placed 

 against the walls will do well. Morello Cherries require a portion of 

 last year's wood cut out, and enough fresh shoots left to keep the tree 

 regular and balanced, but crowding is a great evil. These trees are 

 often liable to canker and die off. Lifting them cannot be always safely 

 done ; but if done piecemeal, the trees will stand it well and profit by 

 it. Much cankering in trees is caused by late unripened growth and 

 starting early in spring, when frost takes hold of the sappy wood. Well- 

 ripened wood is perhaps the most important agent in securing free- 

 bearing healthy trees. Nailing and tying in the shoots should be done 

 on every mild occasion. Raspberry canes which have supplied fruit 

 should be cut out, and the number of young canes reduced if necessary. 

 Rows of them, tied to rails, 9 inches to a foot apart, will be thick 

 enough for ordinary fruiting ; they may be topped to 4 or 5 feet high, 

 or more if the rods are strong. 



All kinds of shrubs may still be planted when weather is mild : let 

 the pits for the roots be much wider than the roots of the plants ; sup- 

 ply plenty of fresh soil if necessary. No roots of other trees should be 

 allowed to enter the fresh soil. If the tree or bush is large, ropes fast- 

 ened to stakes may be required to keep the tree secure against wind. 

 Fastening all round in the way tents are done will keep all secure, and 

 allow the roots to take hold of the fresh soil. All occupants of flower 

 borders and beds should be cleared off, if not already done. The 

 empty spaces may be filled up, to give effect, at once, with such plants 

 as Stachys, Arabis, Ajuga, &c. Such shrubs as variegated Hollies, Aucu- 

 bas, Yariegated Yews, and many others, can be used with fine effect. 

 We often stick pieces of them into beds, to keep the earth covered 

 through the winter. Where annuals are wanted for spring-flowering, 

 shrubs can only be sparingly used. A^ariegated Kales have found 

 only limited favour. Though I admired Miss Hope's arrangement at 

 Wardie, I was not able to carry it out here. When snow fell, and was 

 followed by wet or frost, both nose and eyes suffered. The scent and 

 sight were anything but pleasant. Dahlias should be removed to dry 

 quarters where no frost can reach them. Bulbs of all kinds should be 

 planted without delay : rich fresh turfy loam and some sand in it is 



