572 THE GARDENER. [Dec. 



In those more genial climes where the Peach and Nectarine bear in 

 great plenty and freedom under outside treatment, the roots are left 

 much to their natural growth, so that root-limitation is little practised. 

 The roots are kept near the surface by the more powerful influence of 

 the solar rays. Gross growth is by this means prevented, as also by 

 heavy cropping and judicious pinching of the young shoots. The 

 above, of course, relates chiefly to young trees ; and we must acknow- 

 ledge there is much wisdom in such a mode of procedure. The 

 " pinching" enables the tree to direct its energies to the weaker parts, 

 whilst the heavy cropping uses up much of that surplus strength which 

 shows itself in gross growth. We may here observe that the roots of 

 the Peach and Nectarine are much benefited by surface-dressings. In 

 the case of weak and exhausted trees, the compost should be a liberal 

 one. In ordinary cases a surfacing of good sound loam will be suffi- 

 cient. As to Fig-culture, it must he repeated — as, if success is to be 

 attained, the roots must come in for an equal share of attention. This 

 need of attention relates in an especial manner to young trees during the 

 first two years after planting. If root-examining be then neglected, 

 much time will be lost before they can be brought into fruiting condition. 

 In order to inspect the roots, a trench 3 or 4 feet from the stem should 

 be taken out, the roots carefully lifted, preserving those of a more 

 fibrous character, whilst those with little or no fibre may be shortened 

 back. This operation, however, requires the exercise of some little 

 amount of judgment. Those who have seen the Fig bearing abun- 

 dantly on an outside border, will generally have observed that the 

 space allotted for root-action was somewhat limited. 



I remember such a border which extended not more than 12 

 yards, running in an east and west direction, and from which large 

 quantities of fruit were annually gathered. In the case referred to, the 

 border was limited to a narrow strip of 10 feet, by walks running par- 

 allel on each side, which, when made, were taken out to a depth of 3 

 feet, and then filled in with stone. Such an arrangement formed an 

 effectual barrier against all root-intrusion. As they would not much 

 care for such hungry quarters, this simple example may perhaps show 

 in a practical manner the importance of confining the roots of the Fig 

 as much as possible. Wm. Forbes. 



DUNDEE HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 



The ol-dinary monthly meeting of this Association was held in Reform Street 

 Hall, on Wednesday evening, the 2d ult. The president, Mr Doig, Rossie Priory 

 Gardens, in the chair. There was a full attendance of the members. Mr 

 Brebner read a paper on the "Movements of Plants," being a resume, of the 

 contents of Dr Darwin's book upon that subject. He described his experi- 

 ments in proof of the universality of the law of circumnutation in radicles, 

 stems, leaves, and flowers, and showed the advantage to the plant of this 

 movement. The modifications of this law in climbing and sleeping plants, 



