1873.] IVIES. 267 



fruit, are to be removed entirely, and those of .the previous summer's 

 formation are to be unfastened from the wall and laid upon the main 

 leading side branches in the place of those cut out." 



My objection to this otherwise neat and very systematic mode of 

 training is, in the first place, that it takes a much longer time to cover 

 a given space of trellis or wall than it requires to do so on the fan 

 system, when the needless and objectionable close-cutting-back system 

 is not adhered to. Then again, when any of the leading branches give 

 way — no uncommon thing in Peach-trees — a great gap in the tree is 

 created, w^hich it takes longer to make up than when a gap takes place 

 in fan training. 



The time for pruning the Peach under glass must be regulated by 

 the time that forcing is commenced. Generally speaking, it is best to 

 defer pruning till the first signs of the swelling of the buds, especially 

 in the case of inexperienced pruners, as then wood-buds' and fruit-buds 

 are easily distinguished. This of course refers to the. shortening 

 back of all young wood that requires it. D. T. 



IVIES. 



The " Ivy " can be traced back to very early times, when it is said 

 to have been used at religious ceremonies, and as garlands on festive 

 occasions, and it is still used less or more for similar purposes. The 

 present few remarks are more in favour of its more extensive use in 

 flower-gardens, where the many distinct varieties can be planted as 

 permanent edgings for covering stumps of trees, or under trees where 

 little else will grow. There is now such a diversity of colours and 

 shades amongst Ivies, that when much winter and spring bedding is 

 to be done, they will be found indispensable ; and many of them, w^hen 

 covering the space allotted to them, will stand comparison with some 

 of the variegated Geraniums for effective display. All the green 

 varieties do well when planted in good rich soil ; but if many of the 

 variegated ones are put into too rich soil they are apt to grow too 

 strong, when the variegation is neither so pure nor so extensive. A 

 little lime-rubbish mixed amongst the soil will be found beneficial in 

 bringing out the variegation. "We find them more satisfactory than 

 any of the general bedding-plants for inner courtyards. Where the sun 

 is entirely excluded, the Geraniums, &c., make plenty of growth 

 but scarcely any flowers : the Ivies are quite at home in shade, and 

 are very effective when looked down upon from w^indows and balconies. 

 One great recommendation is, that they are always the same at all 

 seasons. An edging eighteen inches wide, with a centre of some other 

 variety, is very effective. They will require frequent attention to 



