SEPTEMBER. 281 



the tree from malcing further growth, and in two or three weeks they 

 will be in capital condition lor transplanting. When the tree is 

 removed the roots taken up previously will be found calloused, in some 

 instances making fresh roots, and just in a condition to take hold of 

 the new soil when planted. Another note we have made, and must 

 press its adoption to all who have fruit trees, whether wall, espalier, 

 orchard, or Gooseberry bush, the principle is the same, and that is, 

 " summer pruiiing." I have not time to write a bit of physiology 

 to show " the reason why," but must insist that it exists, and can be 

 forthcoming any day; take my advice, therefore, and proceed at once 

 to remove all and every bit of wood made this season, excepting what 

 you can easily foresee will be wanted for bearing, or filling up the trees 

 where too thin. It is a positive waste of power to allow these to remain 

 any longer, and I should have noticed this last month, had not my friend 

 the editor told me he was full of matter, and kept me back. However, go 

 over every tree and cut out to within two or three eyes of their base 

 this summer wood on Apples, Pears, Plums, some Cherries and Goose- 

 berries and Currants ; it will strengthen the embryo fruit buds for 

 next year, and help the formation of those for the year after : and by 

 leaving the terminal or leading shoots on Apples and Pears untouched, 

 you will frequently find fruit buds form on them also, when the useless 

 wood has been removed in August or September. 



Flower-gardens are everywhere a perfect blaze of beauty. This 

 weather has brought out in all their glory Geraniums, Verbenas, 

 and Petunias ; Calceolarias do not like it quite so well. 



The Horticultural Society appears to " drag its feeble strength 

 along." Is its present position a transition state to a better state and 

 vpiser management, or to Mr. Stevens' hammer? Horticulture is 

 everywhere flourishing, except at its head quarters at Chiswick ; the 

 great body, however, is sound and healthy, and will, like other things, 

 right itself in time. G. F. . 



METROPOLITAN HOLLYHOCK AND DAHLIA 

 EXHIBITION. 

 An exhibition of the above popular flowers was held at Cremorne 

 Gardens, Chelsea, on the 19th and 20th ult., and was most successful 

 and satisfactory. Great care had been exercised in framing the schedule, 

 which those whom it most concerned freely and gratifyingly acknow- 

 ledged ; and evident satisfaction was manifested by those who, in spite 

 of the unmitigated rain, found their way to the gardens, which are 

 admirably adapted to horticultural fetes. 



Dahlias might have been finer and more numerous ; but such cannot 

 be said of the Hollyhocks ; these were, considering the intense heat of 

 the weather, and its duration, far beyond what was expected. One 

 hundred and sixty spikes, for the most part fully three feet in height, 

 closely yet symmetrically set with bloom, the flowers giving an average 

 diameter of five inches, and of those peculiarly bright shades of colour 



