1879.] EARLY-FORCED TREES. 517 



be kept on the buds as they attain to a full size, employing strips of 

 matting or of small india-rubber rings to keep the calyx from being 

 burst. The calyx will also require to be slit at the divisions in order 

 to allow the flowers to develop symmetrically. Cards may also be em- 

 ployed to further insure the same result ; but to many, such a mode of 

 helping a flower will appear too artificial. 



The shoots should be layered directly they are far enough advanced to 

 be operated on. Many cut off the ends of the grassy foliage when layer- 

 ing ; but this is not necessary. What is more a necessity is to cut the 

 shoot in a manner that the thinnest portion will be that which connects 

 the layer with the parent pant. Do not allow too many shoots to re- 

 main for layering, as it will give more satisfaction to have one really 

 strong healthy layer than can be had from four times the number of 

 weakly ones. When potting up the rooted plants use a good open 

 loam merely, and stand the plants out of doors until root-action has 

 again commenced. This is much better than shutting up in frames in 

 order to induce the roots to form quickly. I would reiterate the neces- 

 sity of keeping weakly plants growing throughout the winter, always 

 avoiding the least approach to a stagnant atmosphere under such treat- 

 ment. As all the kinds usually sold by nurserymen are worthy of culti- 

 vation, it is unnecessary to add a list of names. 



To those who want a supply of flowers in autumn for filling glasses, 

 &c, nothing can be more satisfactory than these plants — the Self varie- 

 ties and Picotees being more particularly adapted for this purpose than 

 the other classes, the treatment required being something as near that 

 recommended for those planted out as can be provided. Duke of Wel- 

 lington should be added to the list for this purpose. We have it in 

 quantities now — the middle of October. 



R. P. Brotherston. 



A FEW WEEKS' GRACE FOR EARLY-FORCED TREES. 



If it be correct, as stated, that the past season has been the most un- 

 favourable on record for the ripening and development of all kinds of 

 fruit-trees, the suggestion seems to offer itself whether it would not be 

 discreet policy to defer forcing Vines and Peach-trees for a month or 

 six weeks later during the coming year. 



It is not at all improbable that some one may write and tell us that 

 their Vines and Peach-trees are in grand condition — that they never 

 looked better, — and that, in fact, everything looks flourishing for an- 

 other year. 



I hope there are many cases of this kind. I know, indeed, there are 

 many excellent cultivators, with modern facilities for forcing, such as 

 well-appointed houses, who have been able to discern, during the early 

 part of what we may now almost call the past year, that especial care 



