60 THE GARDENER. [Feb. 



It does not need to be forgotten that the real secret of successful 

 forcing lies in the previous management of the trees or plants ; if the 

 crop is not in them, no forcing, however cautiously managed, can fetch 

 it out of them. This is, however, a matter for consideration when the 

 forcing season has departed. The Squire's Gardener. 



HARDY FRUITS. 



Wherever pruning has not been finished — and in many cases it was 

 almost impossible to finish the work, as frost set in so early and was 

 continuous — but for the sake of getting the trees finished, all kinds 

 may now be cut to the necessary extent. Peaches and Nectarines are 

 generally left to the end of the month, or March. Planting was cut 

 short also by frost. We have at present some bundles of trees in soil 

 by the roots, and protected with litter till ground is ready ; but we 

 prefer waiting till ground is dry enough and warmed by the sun, should 

 it come in time. In some forest-planting we have the same considera- 

 tion as with fruit-trees. Pruning of Apples in orchards may be done 

 as early as possible. In the great fruit districts, there are men who 

 are called pruners, some of whom do their work well ; but too often 

 the trees — all and sundry— receive the same amount of lopping. For 

 Standards, open centres, and a total absence of crossing branches, are 

 two important points : if ail is right, there will be no dead wood to 

 cut out. Where there is dead wood and canker, it is a true sign 

 the roots are in bad soil, far from the surface. Lifting or getting 

 these feeders out of the unhealthy soil is the only remedy. We 

 would do it this season, late as it is, rather than have the evil 

 increase by another season's delay. Dressing from the surface 

 may be done with impunity : decoying the roots upwards to sun 

 and air. All loose shoots, if such are to be found, should be cut 

 in to form spurs. Cordons, whether on wires or along fences, 

 simply require shortening back of the previous season's shoots ; 

 when they are very fruitful they require little manipulation. Some 

 of the best fruit we have seen have been on Cordons by the edges 

 of walks and borders; but "management" the whole season through 

 has much to do with it. Bush-trees are easily managed. Cutting 

 in as one would Currants, and keeping these dwarf trees about 

 4 feet high, and about 6 feet apart, is a very interesting sight ; and 

 great quantities may often be taken off a small piece of ground. Such 

 Liliputian growth is more to give interest to amateurs who wish to get 

 a good knowledge of the kinds. Apples may be trained on fences or 

 buildings, either horizontally or perpendicularly, as is generally done 

 with red and white Currants when they are to be netted up. What 

 applies to Apples is generally suitable to Pears. The latter are more 



