178 THE GARDENER. [April 



in the open for some time back. Where they have been coddled in 

 frames with lights over them, they -will require care after being 

 planted out. as a sharp frost under these conditions would tell 

 severely. And just a word as to "hardening off" tender bed- 

 ding-plants. Where these have been grown in a moist, close 

 atmosphere, it sometimes happens that when turned out to be 

 "hardened off" they are positively withered up with the change, 

 and the summer is far spent before the plants get over the effects 

 of this treatment. It were much better to mat up hardening frames 

 for several days, and, if possible, uncover in showery weather, than 

 to have their life juices abstracted under the too sudden change. 

 Plants grown under an airy regime do not suffer from such changes 

 with ordinary care ; but very many bedding-plants are not grown 

 under such a condition. Old stock of Phloxes and Delphiniums, 

 which will be now producing a too numerous array of shoots, should 

 have the most of these taken oft", leaving from three to six of the 

 strongest to flower. Tritomas should be divided at this season ; 

 moderate-sized clumps make far better decorative subjects than those 

 which have occupied the same positions for a great number of years. 

 Alterations in the shape of beds, or other work requiring removal 

 of turf, should be finished without delay. Such work may still be 

 done with safety, provided a small breadth of turf is lifted at one 

 time and relaid without delay. Edgings of walks should be 

 trimmed as soon as the grass has been mown the first time for the 

 season. The walks should be diligently hoed at this time, as by so 

 doing much hoeing will be prevented during the summer season. 



R. P. Brotherstox. 



YOUNG FRUIT-TREES. 



I was much pleased with some remarks that have appeared of late 

 in ' The Gardener ' on our supply and selection of fruit. Eor who 

 would not like to see fruitful trees and a well filled fruit-room ? 

 Some years ago we got a lot of select free-bearing varieties from the 

 nursery. They were clean and healthy; their roots were rather strong 

 and naked. They were nursed for a few years in one of the quarters 

 in the garden before planting out, because we considered it was the 

 cheapest way of assisting the roots, our wish being to have a good 

 supply of roots up to the surface before planting permanently. There 

 were two lines of them, 4 feet apart, alongside the alley. The 

 quarter was newly trenched, and the part they were to occupy was 

 reduced a little, and a strong stake put in for each tree ; 3 inches of 



