436 THE GARDENER. [Sept. 1873. 



Amateur, — Next month you may transplant your Rhododendrons with per- 

 fect safety. Indeed it is perhaps the best time for the operation. Should it be 

 dry at the time, settle the soil well about them with water. 



A Lover of Ferns. — You can get Davalia Mooriana from any nurseryman; 

 at least any nurseryman can procure it for you. We make it a rule never to 

 recommend tradesmen in these pages. 



M. P. — Give more air and less moisture in everyway now. The condition 

 requisite to insure a good bloom in spring is thoroughly matured wood. We 

 think you have over-potted your plants. Study an article in our last issue by 

 the "Squire's Gardener," and act upon its suggestions. 



A Young Gardener. — No ; not just now at any rate. We think the object 

 has so far been gained, and if our efforts in the matter have helped the cause, we 

 are only too glad. 



J. R. — As soon as you lift your plants, trench, or at all events deeply dig and 

 well pulverise your beds, and plant your Hyacinths, &c. by the last week of 

 October. If your soil is pure, mix in some well-decayed manure. — See ' Handy- 

 Book of the Flower- Garden.' 



S. — 'The Art of Grafting' is not an expensive book. It should be studied 

 by every young gardener. 



C. T. — You had better defer pruning your evergreens now till the end of 

 March, in case they suflfer from frost after so wet a season. 



A. L. — The best preserving Strawberry is the old Grove-end Strawberry. It 

 is not a large fruit, and it boils whole if gathered dry. The flavour is good, 

 and probably it will yield as great a weight of fruit off a given space as any 

 other variety in existence. Keen's Seedling is too large and soft for making 

 first-rate preserves. Plant at once in well trenched and manured soil. 



T. L. — Your question is a puzzler to us. Can any of our correspondents tell 

 why a JNIelon will not swell at all if not impregnated and perfect seeds are 

 formed, seeing that, on the other hand, a Cucumber swells and grows to a large 

 size without being impregnated and without perfect seeds? A hard nut, we 

 should say, for physiologists to crack ! 



J. B. K. — Drain at least 3 feet deep, 8 yards apart. Trench the ground, 

 turning up as far as the staple is good, forking over the subsoil, but leaving it 

 in the bottom. We would not pare the turf off unless wanted for other pur- 

 poses. Strawberries, if well manured, will do well after the Potato crop. 

 Ascertain what Gooseberries and Strawberries pay best in your locality, and 

 plant the same varieties. Ash Leaf Kidney Potato will do well in frames. 



Amateur, Stockport. — A low temperature, and a stagnant over-moist at- 

 mosphere when the Grapes are in bloom. The roots being in a cold, heavy, and 

 wet soil, causing all the young roots to rot in winter, and, under such circum- 

 stances, when Vines are forced into bloom early and before young rootlets are 

 again produced. General debility, especially in the case of Muscats. These are 

 some of the causes which produce the results you are experiencing. When your 

 Grapes are in bloom air freely ; and when the pollen is dry give the rods a tap 

 with the hand to help to distribute the pollen. Some growers syringe them 

 when in bloom, and find it a good way to get Muscats and other shy-setting 

 sorts to set. Our own practice is to give a little extra heat and air, and keep 

 the house moderately dry ; and we always find the treatment successful. 



