1869.] PEACH CROP OF 1869. 561 



of the branches, and be kept short, and when they are likely to crowd 

 one another they should be thinned out. A number of old trees we 

 treated in this way last year, and tied the old spurs back to the wall, 

 where they did not break off. The fruit was much finer in size, more 

 of it, and the quality vastly improved. A mixture of soft-soap, clay, 

 and tobacco-water, made like paint, may be applied with a brush to 

 trees which have been infested with scale ; scraping clean with a blunt 

 instrument before the application is put on, makes way for its de- 

 structive efi'ects on the vermin. Gishurst's compound and Clarke's in- 

 sect-destroyer are excellent for cleansing deciduous trees from insects. 

 Roses should now be planted in open weather, first preparing the 

 ground by deep trenching and manuring, using fresh loam and de- 

 cayed leaf -mould next the roots at plan ting- time, finishing with mulch- 

 ing to be dug in in spring. Reynolds Hole's excellent papers on the 

 Rose are still so fresh on our minds that nothing needs to be said 

 about them further than a "reminder." Let tender kinds be lifted, 

 and laid in by the roots, where they will be safe from frost. When to 

 be grown for exhibition, Roses should be kept away from the general 

 stock, and suitable kinds planted, to receive extra attention, with man- 

 ure, watering, &c. ; so said the late Mr Bicham of Hedenham, when 

 we were admiring beds of extra strong and healthy plants separated 

 from his immense nursery stock. Protect half-hardy shrubs, such as 

 Myrtles and Fuchsias, which are to remain in the ground all the 

 winter. Coal-ashes over the roots, and hay-band fastenings over dry 

 straw or fern, answer well. Bulbs under cover require timely at- 

 tention, so that they may be taken out before they grow and become 

 blanched. Keep them cool and free from frost. A few may be brought 

 on in a frame to flower early ; a temperature of 55° will bring them on 

 strongly. Roman Hyacinths are now in flower, and valuable little 

 flowers they are for rooms, &c. Bedding plants require very little 

 water now, but give it in a tepid state, and enough to reach all the 

 roots. Cinerarias which have plenty of roots may now be assisted 

 with manure-water. Give air plentifully in mild weather to them and 

 Primulas. M. T. 



PEACH CHOP OF 1869. 



Sir, — The interesting remarks on this subject by your correspondent, 

 Wm. Chisholm, in last month's ' Gardener,' will be interesting to all 

 fruit-growers, but more especially to those who have had this year to 

 make up their dessert without a dish of fine Peaches. Without a 

 doubt, there is truth in what he says, about retarding the blooming of 



