i88i.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 307 



HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 



HARDY FKUITS. 



There is always plenty of work among these for the enthusiast at this 

 season. Thinning, topping, syringing off insects, and maybe a good 

 soaking of water for young trees especially, will do much to help them 

 to swell off their crops of fruit, which I trust are heavy everywhere ; 

 but at present great complaints are rife in our district, known so 

 favourably as a hardy-fruit locality ; for frost such as we had during 

 the last week of April and several nights early in May, was what the 

 hardiest and best of crops would suffer from. Trees of a coarse watery 

 growth, and not likely to bear fruit next year, should be taken in hand 

 without delay. Examine the roots, and see where the mischief 

 originates. Tap-roots may be at work, and these we never hesitate a 

 moment with, but arrest their progress with the knife, ramming lime- 

 rubbish and soil underneath them, and plenty of fibre is formed in a 

 very short time. Early in May we noticed a Plum growing very strong, 

 the shoots starting off like gross willows. A man was digging close by; 

 we called him, and had the soil removed at one side, and found a 

 strong tap-root going down by the base of the wall. We cut it off about 

 a foot from the trunk of the tree, lime-rubbish and some stones were 

 rammed in the excavation, the root covered neatly with good soil, 

 and a soaking of water given, the shoots were thinned, a number 

 being stopped. The tree is struggling into healthy stiff growth, but of 

 a different character to what it was previous to manipulation of its 

 "tap." Strawberries and cherries will require protection by nets if 

 not already done, also small fruits. Training may now be fully con- 

 sidered, and at the early stages of growth the shoots had better be 

 taken along evenly and neatly — it saves much time in winter. Twigs 

 placed neatly across the young shoots (though an old-fashioned plan) 

 will keep them close to the walls and save much hammering of nails. 

 Where wires are in use the case is different, but twigs may be used 

 advantageously with them. Avoid all crowding, which is so common, 

 and stop leaders taking undue share of growth. Examine grafts, and 

 remove ties which are too tight ; place stakes to shoots growing up 

 which are in danger of being broken by wind. 



ORCHARD-HOUSE. 



In this structure large supplies of water will be required, and to 

 trees heavily cropped a colouring of guano in the water will be of 

 much service. When fruit is ripening, water must be given moderately 

 and free from stimulants. None should be allowed to become sodden. 

 Syringe freely to wash off insects ; mulch liberally, give plenty of air, 

 and keep all surfaces sweet and clean. Expose fruits in all stages, 

 especially when ripening, to sun and air. 



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