158 THE GARDENER. [April 



of a plant in a 5-incli pot, represents one of the finest, if not tlie finest, 

 table Palms with which we are acquainted. It can scarcely be excelled 

 for beauty of effect. It thrives under the same treatment as the stove 

 Arecas. It is scarcely so free in growth ; and when its tender fronds 

 are ojiening from the centre of the plant it requires partial shade, and 

 at all times an abundant supply of moisture. D. plumosus resembles 

 the subject of our figure, and it, as well as the following, are excellent 

 decorative j^lants : D. oblongus, D. draco, D. Jenkonsianis. From the 

 vigorous roots that Palms make, and the way in which they coil them- 

 selves in the pot, they can be easily turned out of their pots for an 

 occasion without suffering, but they can be kept healthy for a long time 

 in small pots if well supplied with water. D. T. 



HINTS FOR AMATEURS. -APRII.. 



"Where fruit-trees have received their annual dressing, and are now 

 properly secured to their places on the walls, ikc, and standards (which 

 may have been left unpruned to keep a supply of fruit-buds after birds 

 have done their work) are now dressed, there will be little to do in 

 that department. However, the advancing season will bring its own 

 work, and Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, and Apricots will, in early 

 localities, soon require attention by disbudding, or, it may be, thinning 

 the flower-buds, as that is often of great service in securing a crop, 

 especially if the trees are weakly, and a scanty supply of foliage made. 

 When disbudding is done, all the shoots which are misplaced and likely 

 to deform the tree should be rubbed off, leaving plenty to supply 

 fruit another season. The shoots near the base of the old ones should 

 be left, and a leader to draw up the sap. When a portion of disbud- 

 ding is done as soon as growth commences, little check to the tree is 

 given. The tree should never be subjected to having large quantities 

 of young growths taken off at one time, and the young fruit should 

 not be suddenly denuded, especially when there is still danger from 

 frost. All natural spurs placed neatly and close to the wall should be 

 left, as they are certain fruit-bearers of a superior quality (at least we 

 believe this, and save them with all care). Where there is abundance 

 of healthy fibre these natural spurs are also sure to be plentiful. 

 Strawberries may require a thorough hoeing, but not to disturb the 

 roots j clear off decaying leaves. Young plants which have been kept 

 in store through the winter may be lifted with good balls and planted 

 out in good deep soil — rows 2 feet apart, and 1 foot to 1 J foot between 

 the plants is generally enough, but we have seen it necessary to keep 



