66 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. [MARCH, 



afterwards allowed them to get dry at tlie root, but syringed them two or three 

 times a day, taking care to keep plenty of moisture between the pots. The 

 temperature was increased to a mean of about 78° or 80° as the season advanced, 

 and through the summer no part of the house was allowed to get dry, but each 

 day fresh air was admitted. The division is the north end of a span-roofed 

 house, standing due north and south. The plants were so placed that no direct 

 sun could reach them, till about an hour and a half before setting. This treat- 

 ment was continued through the summer, the temperature being allowed to fall 

 to 68° during the night, and to 73° by day as the light grew less. The plants 

 rested a little through January and part of February, when, as the light increased, 

 they began to throw up fronds, and in March I shifted them into 3-in. pots, 

 half filled with small crocks. A small piece of sphagnum moss was placed on the 

 crocks, and the compost used nearly as before, namely, crocks and charcoal in 

 equal parts, a good portion of white sand, and a very little soil, mostly little bits 

 of turfy loam. On June the 2nd the plants were exhibited at the Eoyal Horti- 

 cultural Society's show in a state of perfect health and vigour. They have since 

 passed into the hands of Messrs. Standish and Co., of Ascot, and I learn that 

 they are still in good health. 



Melchet Court, Momsei/. William J. Cross. 



HINTS ON PEACH, NECTARINE, AND APRICOT CULTURE. 



'LTHOUGH there may exist amongst gardeners and others interested in 

 Horticulture much difference of opinion concerning the out-door cultiva- 

 tion of these delicious fruits, in respect to planting, training, &c, one 

 thing is certain, that if they are not planted in a good border of 

 sufficient depth and width, with ample drainage — the latter being very essential 

 as regards its influence on the ripening of the wood for the winter — they 

 will fail to produce healthy wood and well-flavoured fruit. But there is one 

 point besides, to which I would direct attention, and which, if not regarded, 

 the best border that could be made would not prevent disastrous results. I 

 allude to the not allowing of sufficient room for the wood to swell. The nailing 

 or tying in the shoots too closely, or the permitting the wood to grow hard against 

 the nails or ligatures, are very fruitful sources of canker and gum. The latter, 

 oozing out from the affected parts, will sometimes so seriously injure the shoot 

 or branch as to necessitate its being entirely cut out ; and this will not only cause 

 an unsightly gap in the tree, but will also derange the proper balance between 

 root and branch. I am confident that if more attention were given to this point, 

 the cultivator would be well repaid by securing clean healthy wood. 



Moreover, fruit-tree borders ought not to be cropped annually — nor should 

 vine borders. If anything is permitted to be grown upon them, it should be 

 Strawberries, and even if these are kept elsewhere it will be the better for the 

 trees. I have known the Moorpark Apricot and other varieties planted in good, 



