21 4 THE GARDENER. [May 



and Winter Sweet Marjoram, are known to the garden ; but as they 

 are never inquired for, it is not needful to mention them here. 



Feimel. — A herbaceous perennial, the aromatic leaves of which are 

 used in the preparation of mackerel and other fish sauces ; they are 

 also useful for garnishing, and the soft stalks may be used as a Salad, 

 but they are not in great repute for this purpose. The plant grows 

 wild in this country, and will succeed in any ordinary garden soil. 

 To insure a continuance of green leaves, it is best to propagate plants 

 from seed, which should be sown in March, in narrow drills 18 

 inches apart, and the plants should afterwards be thinned out to 1 foot 

 from each other. Let the ground be trenched and manured, and cut 

 down the stems frequently during the summer, before flowering, tak- 

 ing care always to leave a portion for picking from. The plant may 

 also be propagated by division of the root in spring, but it runs to 

 seed faster when propagated in this way. J. Simpson. 



WOETLEY. 



HINTS FOR AMATEURS.-MAY. 



While there is much pressing work at this season, fruit-trees are often 

 allowed to take their chance. We always consider this a very import- 

 ant time to get trees into even growth, and secure the necessary fruit- 

 bearing wood regularly over the tree : disbudding should have atten- 

 tion, as formerly advised. Where any strong watery growths are taking 

 the lead, to the injury of more useful growth, the former should be 

 taken clean off; or if there is vacant space not likely to be filled up, 

 " stopping " the strong wood will cause a number of small shoots to 

 break out, and they may be turned to useful account. Thorough 

 syringing with water, to dislodge insects and keep the foliage clean, is 

 of great benefit in securing a healthy tree ; but where there is not 

 healthy root-action, nothing else will make up for it. Older trees require 

 less attention than young ones, but if they are left to chance all 

 the season through, longevity will not be one of their characteristics : 

 good soakings of manure-water may do much for them. Plenty of 

 moisture for newly-planted trees may be necessary if they are getting 

 dry at the roots. Thinning the fruit should be done with caution, as 

 much of it may turn yellow and drop off. Wet and cold at the 

 roots, or poverty and drought, may cause failure. Soot-water is 

 excellent for keeping insects in check, both on fruit-trees and plants of 

 all kinds. We have kept mealy-bug in check among stove-plants, 

 Pines, &c., by syringing with soot-water made clear with lime. Bought 

 mixtures should be used in strict accordance with the directions given. 



