154 THE GARDENER. [April 



wards — perhaps as fine samples of that much-criticised Grape as have 

 yet been shown. This season we have continued the practice, and 

 although the weather during January was most unfavourable, our early 

 Peaches have set most abundantly. 



In addition to the refreshing effect of an occasional dewing upon the 

 blossom, thereby sustaining the vitality, not only of the flowers but the 

 pollen also, every particle of which is a living organism, the syringe is 

 also a better distributor of the pollen than a camel's-hair pencil or any- 

 thing else. Examine a globule of water after it has been deposited upon 

 a Peach flower among the stamens, and the minute grains of pollen 

 will be seen suspended in it, in innumerable quantity; and they, when 

 the water evaporates, are left attached to the stigma. Presuming, 

 therefore, that the moisture when not in excess has no injurious effect 

 upon the pollen itself, but is in all probability a quickener of the vital 

 principle, we have in the syringe, when discreetly used, one of the best 

 and most convenient artificial fertilisers we can find. I ofi'er this hypo- 

 thesis with all diffidence. I know it is not in accordance with the ideas 

 of some able physiologists, but the facts I have stated I can guarantee, 

 and if any of your readers have a better explanation to offer it will be 

 acceptable. Of course, in speaking of the subject of fruit-setting, I do 

 not wish your readers to forget that the first essential to that end is to 

 have the wood thoroughly matured the previous autumn, which can only 

 be accomplished by allowing the trees to carry no more wood or 

 foliage than can be well exposed to light, and to keep the foliage in a 

 healthy condition till the end. When these ends are attained, half 

 the battle is gained ; all we can do afterwards is to aid nature, and 

 this is only what I mean when I recommend a genial temperature — 

 neither too wet nor too dry — when fruit-trees of any kind are in 

 bloom. J. Simpson. 



WoRTLEY Hall. 



STRAWBEKRY FORCING. 



Till the appearance of Mr Simpson's article on this somewhat import- 

 ant subject, I had felt satisfied that more than thirty years of success 

 had firmly fixed the character of Keen's Seedling as one of our very 

 best forcing varieties. I do not question Mr Simpson's statements ; on 

 the contrary, I feel confident that he has truthfully recorded his experi- 

 ence : but that this Strawberry will not submit to be forced is what I 

 cannot admit; so it would be an act of injustice to stand patiently 

 aside and witness its degradation, without taking the part of an old 

 and faithful servant. 



I believe when I visited Wortley in company with Mr Young of the 



