iSyr.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 397 



at the time of planting keeps the roots near the surface, which is a 

 great object when fine crops of highly-flavoured fruit are desirable, to 

 say nothing of its advantage in keeping the trees in good health. Trees 

 still making gross wood, and which have not been root-pruned, should 

 have attention as formerly advised. A tree with large dark-green leaves 

 and short stiff growths, on examination, will have abundance of healthy 

 libre, and will not be deep into poor light soil or heavy damp clay. 

 As an example. Rivers' s Early Prolific Plum with us has that characteristic, 

 and for the last seven years has borne extra-fine crops ; but as this is a 

 bad grower, we give plenty of manure, and have enough to do to keep 

 growth to secure fresh wood and flower-buds. Other kinds growing on 

 the same border require a little root-pruning every second year, ^o 

 growths should, at this season, be allowed to make an appearance, as ripen- 

 ing would be frustrated : we mean both fruit and the wood for next year 

 All Strawberry-runners should be kept off, to let the strength of the 

 plants go to forming good hearts : break the surface among them lightly 

 and preserve all the foliage. Save runners for transplanting next 

 season, if fresh crops are wanted ; they may be planted in rows on well- 

 manured and deeply-trenched ground. On heavy clay-land low fiat 

 ridges may be thrown up, which will keep them from being des- 

 troyed with damp during winter. Mulching between the rows in 

 spring saves them from severe drought : on dry positions this ridging 

 is not necessary. 



It is now a good time to take a note of the flower-garden, with the 

 view of avoiding any errors which may have been committed, and rec- 

 tifying them next year. It is a fact that some bedding-plants which 

 do well in some localities and soils are worthless in others. If the stock 

 of cuttings is not completed, it should be done without delay. Calceo- 

 larias do well put in at the end of this month, or in October. When 

 put in early they flower quickly, and are done when they should be at 

 their best. They should be kept cool. Many of the bedding-plants 

 will be crowded, and ready to decay if a wet time should set in. To 

 avoid this, a quantity of their leaves should be taken off, the tops of 

 the shoots nipped back to the flow^ers which are likely to come up to 

 the last display. We have practised this more this year than ever we 

 did before, and never with so much advantage ; decaying petals should 

 be taken off, leaving everything which gives colour. Favourite an- 

 nuals for next spring's display should be sown this month ; when 

 arranged to height and colour, much can be done for effect in spring. 

 All tall flowering-plants should be frequently examined, to see that 

 they are not in danger of being snapped by sudden gusts of wind. 

 Timely tying often saves great mischief ; regular attention to cutting 

 off dead flowers from Dahlias, Hollyhocks, &c., is necessary where 



