226 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. [October, 



is an operation absolutely necessary in the culture of miniature trees. The 

 pinching or taking-away of any portion of the leaves arrests the flow of sap in 

 that direction, and directs it towards the parts which are left. Thus, by stop- 

 ping the stronger-growing portions, which are those on the upper parts of the 

 tree, and which are in advance of the lower or weaker portions, we equalize the 

 flow of the sap, and cause a uniform action throughout. This stopping and 

 checking of the shoot-growing propensities of the tree tends towards the forma- 

 tion of fruit-buds, excepting in some cases, namely, in very rich soil, and where it 

 is attempted to confine the energies of the .tree within too narrow a limit. Under 

 such circumstances, the most incessant summer pinching will fail to induce fer- 

 tility, but will result in the continued production of watery shoots, and a gradual 

 weakening of the tree. In such cases, root-pruning may in some instances be 

 resorted to with advantage. Root-pruning in the case of miniature fruit-tree 

 culture is in many soils necessary to keep the trees within bounds. It should, 

 however, only be appealed to as a last resource, after all other modes of checking 

 vioour and inducing fertility have failed. Root-pruning tends too much to 

 weaken the whole system of the tree, to take away the powers of the plant which 

 are required for the support of whatever fruit may be produced. It is not 

 exactly a weakening of the entire system of the tree which is required, but a 

 retention of all its powers, and a direction of their forces towards the production 

 of fruit, instead of shoots. 



I recommend those who may be commencing fruit-culture to take well into 

 consideration the soil and situation of the place, and then the object, whether the 

 production of fruit simply, or fruit combined with the formation of the trees 

 after some particular fomi. Whatever may be the object, the condition of the 

 soil should be considered, and the trees selected should be worked on stocks 

 whose requirements can be best supplied by that soil, and by the mode of pruning 

 and general cultivation intended to be adopted. 



Chisioick. A. F. Baehon. 



PRIMULA PEDEMONTANA. 



*E have to thank the Messrs. Backhouse and Son, of York, for the 

 opportunity of illustrating the beautiful Alpine Primrose, which forms 

 the subject of this note ; and which was introduced by them from the 

 Graian Alps of Piedmont. 

 The plants form a close rosette of obovate sinuatley-toothed leaves, from 

 among which rise the flower-scapes to the height of from five to six inches, bearing 

 clusters of about seven or eight flowers, of a pleasing bright purplish or magenta 

 rose, sometimes with a white or pale-coloured ring around the throat, and 

 measuring an inch across the limb of the corolla, the lobes of which are obcor- 

 date. These flowers are produced in spring. 



We learn from Mr. Backhouse, who has closely studied this race of plants, 



