t88t.] hints for amateurs. 495 



varices, and while at rest they need no water. After resting, the balls 

 must be thoroughly soaked in tepid water in a tank, and be allowed 

 to drain well before potting. 



In bringing Allamandas to rest, the wood is generally well ripened 

 at the bottom if pruned as I shall describe. When the plants have 

 finished blooming and have been sparingly watered for about a week, 

 they are allowed to go dry until the foliage flags, then a little water is 

 given, but not sufficient to thoroughly soak them. If they are well 

 checked at the first attempt they are soon brought to rest, and no 

 harm results from the sudden change if the wood is quite ripe. After 

 this, sufficient water only is given to keep the wood from shrivelling. 

 The plants are then partially pruned back, cutting away all the unripe 

 wood ; no more water being given until the balls are soaked ready for 

 potting. Allamandas do not require such a long rest as many sup- 

 pose ; six or eight weeks are ample, and the plants are ready for 

 starting again. 



The system of pruning I adopt is to treat Allamandas like Vines, 

 after the foundation is laid to cover the required space. The plants 

 are cut back to one or two eyes, and when pruned have only two 

 rods, similar in every respect to two Vine-rods pruned on the short- 

 spur system. The spurs can be as near or as far apart as cultivators 

 wish. At one time I trained a shoot up every wire, which was about 

 6 inches apart ; but this shaded the house too much for the other 

 plants growing beneath. The growths are now trained nearly 18 

 inches apart, and the flowers are much finer than when I trained up 

 more shoots. 



Shade is beneficial to these plants for a few hours during very hot 

 weather; the flowers last longer and retain a brighter colour. 



Insects never attack my plants ; but Allamandas are liable to be 

 attacked by a small yellow thrip, which is easily eradicated by freely 

 using the syringe. 



When treated as described — both as to rest, pruning, and starting 

 sufficiently late — no plants are more easily bloomed profusely during 

 autumn, winter, and spring. Wm. Bardney. 



HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 



HARDY FRUITS. 



Most cultivators prefer this season for the planting of fruit-trees and 

 bushes, and where it could not be performed by the end of October 

 the sooner it is in hand the better. It is well when one can go to the 

 nursery and pick out their own ; they see what they want, and can 

 choose it, and in most cases they get the same. Clean, healthy, young 

 trees we prefer to those stunted and cut back often : maiden trees, iu 

 the hands of those who can train them, answer all purposes well. Cut- 



