1873.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 69 



tipped and suffused rich purple. Monarch— buff, mottled and striped dull crim- 

 son ; large and fine. Acme of Perfection — certainly one of the finest yellow flow- 

 ers extant, whether for form or colour. Bishop of Durham — faint salmon colour, 

 neat, of moderate size ; fine. Earl of Radnor — deep plum, glowing colour; a 

 distinct pure self. Incomparable— a charming flower; ground yellow, tipped 

 with deep crimson. George Peabody — distinct and good; maroon, tipped 

 with brick red. A. Kerr. 



HINTS FOR AMATEURS.-FEBRUARY. 



Pruning and tying up trees will be like other operations — much re- 

 tarded by the continued wet weather. All this work should now be 

 carried on briskly, as every day will bring abundance of work Avith it. 

 Limewash on moss-covered stems will help to destroy the pest, as well 

 as eradicate insects. Where time can be spared, old trees should be 

 gone over with a blunt-edged instrument, and all destructive vegetable 

 matter scraped off. Peaches and Nectarines may remain unpruned till 

 the end of the month. Some of the best cultivators we ever knew do 

 not use a knife on these trees till the blooms are swelling ; and they 

 are tied up just before the buds open. The keeping of them from the 

 walls retards the crop and keeps it longer out of danger. It is well to 

 break up all surfaces over fruit-tree roots after tying and nailing is 

 finished. A good dressing of manure may do good service if the roots 

 are not too far out of reach. Trees as Standards or Espaliers should 

 not be left to the influence of wind, otherwise much damage might be 

 done. Raspberries not pruned should have attention without delay : 

 they are not easily injured with manure, and do well when kept cool 

 and moist at the roots. Bushes may require protection from bull- 

 finches : white threads and feathers often keep them off for a time ; a 

 tame hawk, magpie, or owl, kept near them will drive them away. All 

 old soil may be removed from the collars of the bushes and replaced 

 with fresh soil. As digging goes on, a good coating of manure placed over 

 the roots, and covered thinly with soil, does much to help the fruit, 

 and is good for preventing caterpillars keeping their quarters near the 

 bushes : their larvae are ready to start into active life. The remainder 

 of tree-planting should have timely attention this year, as growth 

 appears to be everywhere early. 



Lawns will now be clean, but if alterations are made by turfing, the 

 earlier it is fijiished the better. "When turfing is done during March, 

 much labour is often expended on carrying water. Shrubs growing 

 bare at bottom may be cut down, and all dead wood taken out. This 

 answers well Avith Laurels of sorts and Hollies, if not too stunted 

 Good mulching suits almost every shrub and Conifer, but it is no use 



