\_27ie Editor requests the assistance of Readers in anstvering Queries, so 

 that the usefulness of this Department may be mai?itained.'] 



Privet, — In reply to W. C. L. C, page 658, I would recommend him 

 to cut the privet close over by the ground, and let it grow up again 

 until 4 or 5 feet high, nice and bushy, then serve it in the same way. 

 Fagot the wood and sell it for fuel. The money it brings will go a long 

 way towards paying expenses. — J. W. 



Roots choking Drains. — Being a constant reader of your valuable 

 Journal, I observe in the last volume, page 659, " Inquirer " wishes to 

 get the opinion of one who may have been able to prevent the roots from 

 choking drains, and still to allow the free ingress of water to the pipes. 

 A friend of mine was for many years troubled with a drain that con- 

 veyed the water from his steading to a field near by. Four large saugh 

 or willow trees grew within 15 feet of the drain and choked it yearly* 

 till at last, when the drain was as usual being cleared of the roots, and the 

 pipes having been again laid in their places, the drain was filled to the top 

 with engine ashes. It has not been opened for the last five years, and 

 how much longer it will keep clear remains to be seen. "Inquirer," I pre- 

 sume, wishes the water to have free ingress through the whole body of the 

 drain to the pipes ; had this not been his motive I would advise that the 

 ashes be mixed with coal-tar to the state of mason's mortar, and then to 

 put a 4-inch layer along the pipes, which in a short time will become 

 as hard as cement, and quite impenetrable. — J. R. 



Use collar pipes and cement them, or else, if the fall will allow, make 

 an open dyke through your plantation, and have it periodically cleaned. I 

 have tried both methods with success. — Subscribeb. 



Price of Charcoal. — Would some of your readers favour me with the 

 average price per ton of good charcoal ? — A Welshman. 



Cuttings of Trees and Shrubs. — I should much like to see some- 

 thing in the Journal concerning the making of the different kinds of 

 cuttings, when and how they ought to be made, the best length for the 

 various kinds, the position in which they should be inserted in the 



