496 THE GARDENER. [Nov. 



ting in severely young trees, without any real object in view, is a prac- 

 tice which should be one of the yiast. We have often covered walls 

 with trees which liad none of their leaders cut back, except when they 

 were growing grossly in summer : they were then stopped, and per- 

 haps the three or four laterals thrown out would be left to fill up the 

 space. Proper restriction at the roots (except in the case of large 

 orchard-trees) is far more preferable than cutting in branches. Where 

 planting is to be done, have the ground well trenched ; place brickbats 

 or stones immediately under the tree, to prevent roots running down- 

 wards. When roots get away from the influence of sun and air they soon 

 lead the tree to barrenness. Cut off any bruised or mutilated roots 

 clean ; lay all flat out, separating the fibres as much as possible ; work 

 among them some nice fresh loam, then fill all up, gently tread, and 

 place mulching neatly over the surface. Tie up the branches lightly to 

 the walls or fences to keep them safe from wind, and allow them to 

 remain unfastened permanently till the soil sinks to its minimum 

 level : much mischief is often done to the bark by being in a hurry 

 in tying up the branches to the walls. In orchards and open spaces 

 staking securely is of primary importance. 



It is well (as we have formerly hinted) to learn something of the 

 kinds of fruits doing well in the localities where planting is to be 

 done : planting collections instead of selections often leads to disap- 

 pointment. Fruits do not always do well in every soil and locality. 

 Even in localities, influences of soil and other circumstances change 

 character as well as success. Pruning of bushes, Apples, Plums, Cherries, 

 and Pears, may be done as soon as the leaves are off. Pyramid Apples 

 and Pears, if well stopped and thinned during the summer months, 

 require little now, further than regulating what is intended for spurs. 

 There are two styles of Pyramids : one having all the fruiting spurs on 

 the outside of the tree, and the inside filled up with the strong permanent 

 wood ; the other has all the branches spurred from top to bottom, 

 outside and inside. Whichever plan is preferred, the safest method 

 is by restriction at the roots, that the spurs should be made to bristle 

 over every part of the tree. Look out for canker, and where it may 

 be seen let the tree be lifted and replanted, keeping the roots up, and 

 well mulched. Plums do with much the same treatment as Apples 

 and Pears, also Cherries, except Morellos, which do best with thinning 

 them, and leaving the wood full length ; but means, by lifting or root 

 restriction, should be used to prevent gross growth — short, stiff", spur- 

 like wood is always fruitful. The thinning of orchard trees or stand- 

 ards of moderate growth may be done as early as time will allow. We 

 have had such trees from the nurseries, which never had a knife on 

 them, planted with the shoots full length. The following year these 

 growths were knotted all over with spurs — fruit-bearing then becomes 

 certain. The same principle is adopted with Pears, Plums, Cherries, 

 &c., on walls as when grown as standards. Timely and skilful treat- 



