1873] STOVE-PLANTS FOR EXHIBITION. 441 



ground, that the trees may have full benefit of rains and mulchings ; 

 on the other hand, on stiff clay soils high planting is advisable, for 

 another reason, namely, to get the heat of the sun, as well as to throw off 

 rains, as stiff soil does not so readily get heated in spring as light, 

 being more retentive of moisture. 



This and the next months are the best in which to plant all sorts of 

 fruit-trees before the leaves are all quite fallen off ; they will then have 

 time to make considerable progress at the root before winter. Trees 

 against south walls may remain a little later, for if there be many 

 bright hot days in October, the wood is liable to shrivel ; a wall will 

 even in October get very hot and trying to a newly-planted tree. 

 Trees which have become shrivelled will generally come all right again 

 in winter, and we have found them even bear a heavy crop of fruit 

 the following season, as if nothing had been the matter ; when signs 

 of shrivelHng are noticed the tree should be shaded and syringed in the 

 evenings. 



A few general observations on planting, which may only be men- 

 tioned as reminders to the inexperienced, are these : to dress all strong 

 roots by cutting off the bruised ends ; to cut out twisted roots and 

 spread out the fibres carefully; to secure the trees carefully to stakes 

 for the time being, but not too tightly or permanently, as the soil wDl 

 sink, and consequently the tree. 



It is very essential to tread all moved soil as firmly as possible 

 under the tree, and afterwards when all the soil is filled in. Avoid 

 all gross manures in the soil for young trees. Avoid planting trees 

 which have often been cut back in the nursery, and are consequently full 

 of dead snags and old cuts, or trees which have been injured by rabbits 

 and hares; these last seldom ever do well, and are a perpetual eyesore. 



The Squire's Gardener. 



STOVE-PLANTS FOE, EXHIBITION. 



(STEPHANOTIS FLORIBUNDA.) 



This plant is one of the most beautiful of all stove-climbers, and may 

 be taken as the type of what a decorative plant should be. It pos- 

 sesses a good constitution, grows freely if liberally treated, has abun- 

 dance of dark fresh green foliage, which, together with its pure white, 

 wax-like flowers, is of good substance, while the latter are both 

 graceful in form, and most deliciously perfumed. It makes a fine and 

 effective plant in the exhibition tent when covered with great clusters 

 of snowy blossoms on a dark background of cool green foliage, and it 

 has the advantage of flowering throughout the summer and autumn 



