260 THE GARDENER. [June 



enough left, but such thinning we would like to dispense with. 

 A friend called on us lately from Inverness-shire, and he describes his 

 Peaches and Nectarines as most promising, his xYpricot-trees in perfect 

 health, and fruit in clusters all over. This, from former information, 

 we were prepared to hear. What can experienced men in the south 

 do to help us to similar results? Former directions as to watering 

 young trees, and old ones too if they want it. In training the newly 

 planted trees, cover as much of the wall near the base of them as pos- 

 sible — a few extra shoots will do no harm where there is space to 

 place them ; stop any shoots which are robbing their fellows ; get all 

 growth even. Let trees which are spurred, such as Plums, Pears, 

 and Cherries (not Morellos), have the thumb and finger applied in due 

 time ; but not so close as to cause the buds at base to start, Examine 

 grafts and remove clay from them if they are advanced enough. War 

 against insects and grubs, — Gishurst's Compound, 2 oz. to the gallon, 

 is a remedy now much used — also fir-tree oil. Net Cherries, &c., 

 from birds. Place litter between Strawberries to keep the fruit clean. 

 Figs may be stopped at fourth or fifth leaf ; these are too often 

 crowded : mulching may be used with much advantage to roots. 



OPwCHAED-HOUSE. 



In this structure the success or non-success of the season may 

 depend on one item of management — viz., watering, — that is, 

 if the trees are restricted at the roots by pots or otherwise. Where 

 there is a mass of fibre with plenty of drainage, it is difiicult to 

 over-water ; but not only the pots or the immediate locality of the 

 roots should be watered, but the whole mass of soil should be soaked, 

 and a colouring of manure-water at each watering to the roots is 

 better for the trees and fruit than stronger doses at longer intervals. 

 The usual stopping and thinning of shoots will be necessary ; syring- 

 ing to keep off insects, and at no time should the trees be allowed to 

 suffer a check of any kind. Shutting a house close at night, then 

 throwing the whole wide open at once of a morning, is a mischievous 

 practice : a little air should be on at night, and as the season becomes 

 mild the whole air may be left on. Clean open surfaces, neatly 

 mulched, is very desirable. Dustings of soot through the house are 

 helpful to the foliage. 



FLO"\VER-GAEDEN. 



Newly planted beds may require a good soaking of water, and 

 the hoe nicely used afterwards when dry enough to form a loose 

 surface : very little water may be wanted for some time to come. 

 Proceed with tender kinds as soon as they are ready. Alternan- 

 theras, Coleus, and others of this class, may be planted into their 

 various forms forthwith : thorough keeping will do the rest. Box- 

 edgings well trimmed ; grass close and velvety, free from weeds ; 



