1873.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 305 



their hearts opened out ; an hour's work, bj an active hand, would go 

 over a great many bushes, and the time would be profitably spent. 

 There is generally so much to do at this season, that trees have in a 

 great measure to be neglected, and the work has to be done in winter, 

 which is niuch against the wellbeing of the trees. Stopping of gross 

 shoots, rubbing off others which are too thick or misjDlaced, is import- 

 ant work at this season, — so much of canker and gross fruitless wood 

 being caused by crowding during the growing and ripening season, and 

 the severe use of the knife in winter, when the wood may be only half 

 ripened. A little examination of the roots from this time to Septem- 

 ber may do much to make the trees fruitful next season, and keep the 

 balance of the tree even. This operation has to be done with great cau- 

 tion, finding the way to tap-roots by degrees, leaving a large portion 

 of the tree untouched till the roots lifted now are again healed and 

 growing into any new soil which may have been placed within their 

 reach, and made firm. The other portion of the roots may be lifted in 

 autumn, just before growth entirely ceases. We have more faith in 

 this practice than in tearing up and cutting roots severely, as is the 

 practice of some. Keep insects off with tobacco-water applied by a 

 syringe. Trees with their roots near the surface may require mulching 

 and abundance of water. Young trees should have their shoots care- 

 fully trained, stopping gross growths in time to get the branches to 

 spread, and a year's training might be gained, and the mischief caused 

 by cutting back strong shoots avoided. Strawberry runners should 

 be secured as early as possible for fresh plantations. Water (if re- 

 quired) liberally those newly planted which may have been forced, and 

 keep all runners off them unless they may be wanted for stock. 



When time can be spared from keeping lawns mowed, weeds rooted 

 out, edgings clipped, the frequent use of the hoe among flowering- 

 plants, and other work necessary, budding of Roses may be done, Pink 

 cuttings put in. Carnations layered, cuttings of herbaceous plants put 

 in shady positions. Chrysanthemum-tops layered in small pots for 

 special purposes, cuttings of rare plants put in to be increased for 

 next year's bedding stock ; much of this work well done goes far to 

 make up the interest of the garden. In large places these things have 

 often to be passed over for want of time to spare. In amateurs' 

 gardens the amenities of gardening have the best attention, amateurs 

 doing the work for pleasure alone. Keep Dahlias well tied to their 

 stakes ; give manure-water if the soil is poor. 



Plants to supply flowers during autumn and winter should now re- 

 ceive liberal treatment, and no check given by withholding water or 

 starving the roots in very small pots. This applies to Cinerarias, 

 Primulas, Chrysanthemums, Salvias, and all the usual hard-wooded 



