1871.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 261 



often drenched while the feeders are starved. This practice is pro- 

 ductive of many evils, besides wasting time. When watering is done, 

 the surface-soil should be well broken up, to let the moisture enter 

 freely. Pears, Apples, and Cherries (except Morellos, which require 

 young wood renewed annually) should be gone over at intervals, 

 taking off the stronger laterals. The tops of the trees (or where the 

 stronger wood is) may be gone over first, then the middle, and lastly 

 the bottom. Some pull the shoots off altogether, which is not so 

 objectionable on trees with little vigour ; but this practice with robust 

 growers is liable to cause the buds which should fruit next year to 

 start ; better to have some shortening back in winter. Thinning of 

 all kinds of fruits should have attention by degrees. Over-cropping 

 gives quantity of little value, except for kitchen purposes. Peaches 

 from trees, where the crop is too heavy, are insipid and unfit to eat. 

 Colour is very desirable, and is generally accompanied with good 

 quality. Deep-red or crimson next the sun, and more or less yellow 

 or yellowish green near the stalk, are two important features on well- 

 managed Peaches. Fruit -bushes and standard trees might be im- 

 proved (where time can be spared) by thinning out the stronger and 

 crowded shoots. Rasps are not easily injured with mulching or water 

 at the roots. 



Bedding-plants, when placed in their proper quarters, may require 

 a good soaking of water. This is generally less needful by Geraniums 

 than Verbenas and other plants ; free well-broken surfaces will do 

 much to save watering. Dahlias and other robust plants do well with 

 manure-water. After they are once started into free growth, it is 

 difficult to overdo them if soil is well drained and not very heavy. 

 Annuals should be planted out in the mixed borders, arranging the 

 colours with taste, and keeping the taller kinds at back. Stocks and 

 Asters may now be planted out in good ground. More Stock-seed 

 may be sown for blooming late, and potting for winter. Every 

 portion of the flower-garden should now assume an orderly and clean 

 appearance : well-rolled walks kept smooth and clean, grass regularly 

 mown and swept, edgings trimmed, and all the plants kept regular to 

 height, are operations which will require very frequent attention, 

 where high keeping is desired. Syringe Roses frequently before they 

 are in flower ; water thoroughly at the roots, and look after suckers on 

 the budded and grafted plants. The work in greenhouses and other plant 

 structures will now be abundant — watering, syringing, shifting growing 

 plants to larger pots as they require it, which is easily known by the 

 pots getting filled with roots. Balsams, Cockscombs, Asters, and 

 similar plants, should not be allowed to become pot-bound, as they 

 would stop growing and flower prematurely. The starving system is 



