1879.] HARDY FRUITS. 403 



ramming it very firm. If the tree should continue to make gross wood after 

 this operation, the other side should be treated in a similar manner. "While 

 advising this, we abhor the barbarous method of cutting with a spade round 

 the tree, removing all and sundry roots which come in the way. If any roots 

 are split and peeled, they should be cut clean over. In shallow and sandy 

 soil it may be necessary to mulch after the roots have been lifted. There 

 should be no bending or twisting of roots, otherwise suckers may be started, 

 and they are not easily mastered when from the roots. All suckers should be 

 carefully kept off fruit-trees, cutting them clean to the main roots. Whatever 

 is left undone, as to training in young wood on walls and fences, no time 

 should be lost, so that the autumn sun and air may have full power over the 

 wood ; this is particularly applicable to Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, and 

 Apricots. Whatever may be said regarding the dying-off of the latter, and 

 Morello Cherries, we are of opinion that it arises from being obliged to use the 

 knife freely, by absence of space for the trees to develop themselves according 

 to root action, consequently trees do not mature their growth ; they start early, 

 and spring frosts paralyse them, and dead limbs are soon plentiful. In the 

 great Apricot districts in Oxfordshire, and elsewhere, excellent Apricots may 

 be seen growing in every aspect, trained to old stables, dwelling-houses, sheds, 

 and piggeries. Seldom are these trees to be found unhealthy, and so far as skill 

 and care are taken with their training and pruning, there is simply none. The 

 roots may be found among solid beds of stones, lime, and brick rubbish. 

 When planting these trees, abundance of old lime rubbish may be rammed in 

 the bottoms of the holes, and a goodly mixture of this added to the soil : the 

 whole should be a solid bottom when the tree is planted. After the trees are 

 planted a year or two, the system of lifting must be skillfully adopted. When 

 the roots are allowed to run into cold wet clay, dying-off branches may be ex- 

 pected. The same principle applies to Gooseberry-bushes ; they often die off 

 at their collars. It may be found that in such cases the roots at bottom are 

 starving in cold or very poor soil, while those on the surface are in extra rich 

 soil. They may be lifted and replanted, on ground well trenched, spreading 

 the roots out, evenly covering them with 6 or 8 inches of soil, then carefully 

 mulching them. After this treatment, which may be done in September, or 

 any time between autumn and spring, they will make small wood, and become 

 very fruitful. 



Figs should be freely exposed to sun ; after such a late season they are not 

 likely to ripen readily ; the shoots should be kept into the wall thinly. Too 

 often the object of fruiting is defeated by crowding in thickly luxuriant growths, 

 which never become matured, and consequently bear no fruit worthy of con- 

 sideration. Rasps should be thin, and freed from the wood which has supplied 

 fruit, leaving from three to five or six shoots to a stool : they require temporary 

 ties till the proper time of renewing stakes or wires, according to the method 

 of training them. Strawberries may be planted. There are so many ways of 

 being successful with them, oue can scarcely add a suggestion ; but whatever 

 plan is adopted, good growers admit that thorough trenching and manuring is 

 of primary consideration. Off-sets from old plants may meet a difficulty when 

 runners are scarce. Young plants planted in a triangular form of three 

 together is an old plan, but one not to be despised. Plants which have been 

 forced, and have not been too much neglected, answer every requirement. 



In the Orchard-house there will not be a great many fruits left, except the 

 kinds which are kept for special late purposes. Thames Bank Peach, Prin- 

 cess of Wales, and Late Admirable, may not be ripe for some time. Coe's Late 



