230 THE GARDENER. [May 



stimulus to the roots " — lie does not act as if he believed it ; for when 

 his trees grow over-strongly, he makes no pretence of controlling the 

 roots by cutting off the branches, but sets about controlling the branches 

 by cutting off the roots. In practice he finds himself totally unable 

 to make his theories fit. We have, indeed, neither the head nor the 

 tail of a theory in many things we do in the garden. In dealing with 

 such questions there is a tendency to forget what Dr Lindley used to 

 say underlay all other problems of vegetable physiology, and that is 

 vital force — life. So far as the practical application of the theory of 

 reciprocal action is concerned, the despised Chinese gardeners are far 

 more consistent than we are. The Chinese theory is, that it is the 

 roots which apply the stimulus to the branches ; and they adapt their 

 practice accordingly, and succeed admirabl3^ They scout the idea 

 of restraining root-action, or top vigour either, by curtailing the 

 branches ; but they do restrain the roots, and by that means alone they 

 make the smallest dwarfs of the greatest giants of the forest. Their 

 Oaks in thumb-pots and Mandarine Orange-trees are never pinched nor 

 pruned, and yet they are always veritable dwarfs. The Chinaman, in 

 short, sets out with the assumption that the vitality lies in the roots, 

 and he troubles himself about neither stocks nor pruning, and beats 

 us hollow in the production of dwarf-trees and fertility in whatever 

 subject he tries his hand upon. This may not be reckoned a " prac- 

 tical article " by some of your readers, but it suggests practical ideas, 

 and the subject is one that has been present to my mind on many 

 occasions in connection with work, and it is not unworthy of further 

 consideration, as it raises questions that go to the root of many 

 cultural operations. J. S., W. 



HOIlIZO]SrTALLY TRAINED PEACH-TREES. 



I SHALL be much pleased to show " J, S." a Peach and Nectarine tree 

 horizontally trained in a lean-to house. It is 46 feet long by 14 wide, 

 the two trees filling it. Every gentleman, gardener, or novice ex- 

 claims, on entering the house, " What beautiful trees ! '' I have 

 gathered eight hundred fruit off the two trees. They are now twelve 

 years old. In my experience they are less trouble in training, dis- 

 budding, ifec; and when they attain their full size, or "fill the house," 

 any one once shown can do all that is required to them. I have a 

 Royal George Peach in another house sixteen years old, and a number 

 of specimens in other houses from last season's maidens to five-year- 

 olds. I find I have a better set of fruit on my horizontal trees than 

 on those fan-trained, owing, I think, the last dull season or two, to 

 the young wood being more exposed to the light and air. 



Eromegnar. 



