iSyi.] METROPOLITAN FLORAL SOCIETY. 127 



drop, the probability is that the cause is something else. It may either be 

 the want of sunshine, the want of moisture, or a superabundance of it at the 

 root. The cure for the first is the application of fire - heat ; of the second, 

 attending to the watering and mulching of the roots in a dry season ; and of 

 the third, to ascertain whether the drains be in good working order, and that 

 there be not a superabundance of stagnant water lodging about the roots. 



Although not sure, yet we are inclined to think that the cause of the pro- 

 duction of male flowers only is in a great measure traceable to over-luxuriance ; 

 for it is found that root - pruning, ringing the trunk or branches, and such- 

 like, have induced, in a remarkable degree, the early fruitfulness of the tree. 

 AVe have not practised either of these plans, for we find that fruitfulness is 

 readily produced by the twisting and bending of the branches. The old tree 

 on the wall here, covering, as it does, some 700 or 800 square feet, has never, 

 so far as I am aware, been subjected to either of the above processes, yet my 

 predecessor informs me that it has been an abundant bearer from its earliest 

 years. There is not one inch of all the space occupied by it which is not 

 covered with fruit-bearing spurs, and this state of things was induced by the 

 twisting and bending process already referred to. In winter, no doubt, the 

 tree does not present such a pretty appearance as if beautifully trained; but 

 when summer comes, and the verdant tapestry of green adorns the red brick 

 wall, what matters it, as the eye of the most searching could not tell how it 

 is trained ? and then when autumn comes, with its groaning load of luscious 

 sweet, is it not better that the twisting has been done in preference to the 

 possession of a barren yet well-trained tree ? Care, however, must be taken 

 not to entirely destroy the bx'anch. All that is necessary is to gently twist 

 and slightly injure, without entirely destroying, the cellular tissue, after which 

 the branch may be trained snake-like fashion — this is by an alternate elevation 

 and depression without entirely destroying the principles of horizontal training. 

 I have often thought that if the roots were confined into a very limited space, 

 something like the manner recommended for the Fig, it might prove of miich 

 benefit to the tree, by inducing an early and constant fruitfulness. It would, 

 at all events, be worthy of trial, as if it did no good, it certainly would 

 do no harm. The pruning of the Mulberry should not be done till well over 

 in spring, as there is sometimes a difiiculty in distinguishing the fruit from the 

 flower-buds until they have begun to develop themselves. 



So far as we are aware, red-spider is the only insect which ever attacks the 

 Mulberry, and this only in very rare circumstances ; and as we have so often 

 already spoken of its cause and cure, there is no need to repeat here what 

 has been repeatedly said before. With regard to diseases, the Mulberry is 

 entirely exempt from these in Britain. James M'Millan, 



{To he continued.) 



METROPOLITAN FLORAL SOCIETY. 



We are much gratified to learn that the committee of this Society intend holding 

 several exhibitions this year; and from the marked success of last year, there is 

 little doubt but that it will be well supported. There was no question as to its 

 being a medium for exhibitors much required, as the great number sending pro- 

 ductions fully proved. According to the schedule of prizes now before us for 



