34 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. [Febuuary, 



putting forth fruitful buds for the reproduction of its kind. On this point are 

 hinged all the pruning ojierations, whether of root or branch, b}- which man seeks 

 to control the natural tendencies of the trees. If we plant an Apple tree under 

 favourable conditions as to space and soil, and leave it alone, it will, if on the 

 natural or free stock, exhibit its natural tendencies in the development of a large 

 and strong framework of wood ; and having thus exhausted its superfluous 

 energy, it will gradually merge into a fruit-bearing condition. But then this is 

 the work of years, and requires large spaces for its accomplishment. The object 

 of pruning and lifting, is to obtain similar results in less time, and in a more 

 limited space. 



It will be as well to observe here, that the future size of the trees will depend 

 upon the kind of stock on which they are worked ; so that if it is desu-ed to re- 

 tain them as compact trees of a reasonable height, the Paradise Stock must be 

 adhered to ; but if space will allow, and the operator has leisure to attend to their 

 requirements, it is a veiy profitable method of cultivating Pj-ramids to buy them 

 on the free stock, taking care that they have been often moved. These trees 

 will require a much more stringent attention to root pruning than those on the 

 Paradise, but they may be allowed a more free development of wood, and may run 

 up twenty feet or upwards, by which means a large quantity of noble fruit may be 

 obtained — provided always that as long as they remain of a reasonable size, they 

 are lifted and replanted every alternate October, and that when they become 

 unwieldy root-pruning without lifting is continued. Of course, summer pinching 

 and winter pruning must be followed up simultaneously with these root manipula- 

 tions. — John Cox, Redleaf. 



CHRYSANTHEMUM CULTURE AND SELECTION. 



HIS showy autumn flower has been somewhat overlooked in the pages of 

 the Florist, but notwithstanding this, and the fact that its cultm-e is 

 much neglected, it does more than any other plant to enliven our green- 

 houses and conservatories during the dull and dreary winter months ; 

 moreover, whUst these are in flower, there can be no lack of material for bouquets, 

 or for decorative purposes indoors. 



There are two classes of growers — those who grow for exhibition, and those 

 who grow merely for purposes of home decoration. The Chrysanthemum is one 

 of the easiest of all plants to cultivate, but it requires a good deal of attention 

 during summer, when other work is pressing, and at this time it is frequently 

 neglected. The growers for exhibition must be very attentive to their plants, 

 taking care that no check is experienced during the whole period of their growth ; 

 and also that they are grown to as large a size as possible, compatible with the 

 quality of the flowers. On specimen plants, the flowers should be of good 

 quality, and the fohage healthy. One frequently observes the base of the stems 

 bare of foliage, that which may remain being of a sickly greenish -yellow hue : 

 fine flowers are out of the question on such plants. Decorative plants for the 



