1873.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 401 



HnSTTS FOR AMATEURS.— SEPTEMBER. 



Xow is an excellent time to prepare for fruit-tree planting. If time 

 will admit, large spaces should be dug out to hold a quantity of fresh 

 earth ; chopped turf 4 inches thick is very suitable. If the natural loam 

 is strong, the space for the roots should be filled up above the level 

 of the surrounding soil ; good drainage is a very important matter. 

 If the ordinary garden soil has to be used, let it be taken from a 

 position where trees have never grown in it before ; a little charcoal 

 mixed with it is beneficial. The idea that good fruit cannot be 

 grown without the aid of maiden loam is untenable, but the help 

 of such valuable material is of great advantage. We have an ob- 

 jection to mixing manure with loam for fruit-trees. If the soil is 

 extra poor and light, a little cow-manure may then be serviceable ; 

 anything to cause rank growth is not desirable. A foundation of con- 

 crete or stones built so that the roots cannot pass downwards may be of 

 great service in time to come — a thing well done at first is true eco- 

 nomy. Growths on fruit-trees trained to walls or fences should now 

 be getting hard and brown ; growth should now cease, and let all that 

 is not required be taken off. Attend to root-lifting as formerly advised. 



We have often seen fine trees lifted and thrown away, because they 

 have grown freely and not set any fruit. A little lifting might have 

 prevented disappointment, and saved valuable trees. Stopping growth 

 of Pyramids and Bush-trees should also have attention. If mildew 

 appears on Peach or any trees, a syringing with water well mixed 

 with sulphur, and a little soft-soap in it (to make the liquid stick), will 

 stop the pest. Birds and wasps will now be busy, and hexagon net- 

 ting is a sure preventive of both. Though expensive at first, it lasts 

 longer than most other kinds of nets. Let fruit be gathered when dry. 

 Apples and Pears show fitness for gathering by their pips becoming 

 dark in the colour. Have the fruit-room clean and dry ; fumigate with 

 sulphur to keep down insects. See that mice have not ingress; they 

 often do much damage in winter, while food is scarce elsewhere. 



Cuttings of Currants and Gooseberries may be put in when pruning 

 is done. They are generally selected from the strongest prunings and 

 stuck in the soil by the lower ends till time can be spared to make 

 them. Runners should now be closely cut from Strawberries, both 

 from old and new plantations. Clear away all litter and useless 

 leaves ; leave fresh ones entire. Some still cut off the Strawberry- 

 leaves, and allow a fresh growth. The practice is unnecessary, if not 

 mischievous. Old plantations, where it is necessary they should 

 remain, should have a coating of good manure forked over the surface 

 of the roots, but every fibre should remain unmolested. Strong-grow- 



