iSyi.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 447 



colour on the side next to the sun, but the shady side remains green 

 even when fully ripe, so that the fruit does not look so well as some 

 other kinds greatly inferior in quality. When kept in the fruit-rooms, 

 however, for a few days after pulling, the fruit gets a fine yellow 

 colour, the flavour improves also, and it is one of the very best keepers 

 I know of, and it will also carry well. In flavour it is rich, exceedingly 

 juicy, and excellent. The tree referred to, in consequence of bearing 

 heavily every year, has not grown so rampantly as some of its neigh- 

 bours, but measures about 9 feet across, and is 6 feet high at the centre. 

 It is now furnished with sturdy short-jointed wood to the base ; the 

 leaves are green and free from spider, and the promise for another 

 year is good. I have not the least doubt that had I pinched the tree 

 in summer, and hewn it down in winter, according to the common but 

 doubtful practice, I would at this date have had a tree only half the 

 size, and in all probability not a quarter of the fruit from it that we 

 have had. J. Simpson. 



WoRTLEY Hall. 



HINTS FOR AMATEURS.— OCTOBER. 



Fruits, such as Morello and Belle Agathe Cherries, late Plums, Red 

 Currants, and others liable to the attack of insects, &c., will require 

 frequent attention ; better to use them for culinary purposes than let 

 them hang, and lose the best of them. Plums, if gathered dry, and hung 

 up by their stalks in a dry room, will keep good for some time ; how- 

 ever, if their skins are broken they will soon become useless. The 

 present month is a good time for planting fruit-trees, and if the neces- 

 sary preparation has been made, it may be done as early as possible, 

 as it will be of great advantage to the trees. Good loam and plenty 

 of it, the trees planted well above the surrounding surface, mulched to 

 keep out frost, and prevented from being moved by wind, are the 

 primary objects to be kept in view when fruit-trees are planted. The 

 roots of the trees should be examined, and if any parts are broken 

 they should be cut clean off. If allowed to die back, they may produce 

 canker and other evils. When trees are planted against walls, they 

 should be kept clear (about 8 inches at the stem), to allow room for 

 growth. It is necessary, when planting fruit-trees on walls, to consider 

 aspects suitable to the trees. In well-sheltered gardens the difficulties 

 in this respect are less than in exposed bleak positions. For Peaches 

 and Apricots, southern and south-western are best. Easterly is chosen 

 generally for Plums, westerly for Pears and Cherries, northern for 



