1873.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 497 



in which is a quantity of manure, will in most cases keep caterpillar 

 in check. Now is a good time to lift Currant and Gooseberry bushes. 

 If they are lifted carefully, retaining all the roots, and well mulching 

 them, they may carry a fair crop next season ; but where they are 

 doing well, we would say, let well alone ; but often large plots of 

 bushes are seen with the half of the ground vacant from deaths among 

 the plants. Whatever planting is to be done, it should have attention 

 as early as possible, so that the roots may get hold of the soil before 

 the winter is fairly set in. Apricots and Peaches pay well by lifting. 

 We have seen apparently worthless trees of the former lifted and 

 replanted and become vigorous and fruitful, and not subject to dying 

 off piecemeal. Late root-action in wet soils helps on this Apricot 

 disease very much. If leaves are still clinging tightly to the trees, a 

 light broom passed over them will help quantities off, and allow the 

 action of the weather to help the trees to become matured. When fruit- 

 trees arrive from the nursery, they should be planted at once : allowing 

 them to stick in the ground by the roots till a convenient time arrives, is 

 half-killing them. Mulch well with litter to keep out frost. Pruning and 

 nailing must have attention as early as it can be done. Old trees and 

 bushes may be improved by cutting out a quantity of old wood, and 

 retaining fresh shoots to take the place of old branches. Keeping the 

 centres of Apple and Pear standards well opened out is conducive to 

 productiveness and good quality. How often large trees may be seen 

 with heavy crops at the points of the branches only ; the hearts of 

 the trees being shut out from the sun, no fruit-buds can be formed. 

 Trees a quarter their size may be seen carrying heavier crops of finer fruit 

 when a little attention has been given at the right time with saw or 

 knife. W^e object to severe cutting — only doing it when it is to be of 

 service. A hundred Apples which we had from the nurseries last 

 season as " Feathered " Maidens, were planted and scarcely touched 

 with the knife; a fewfruit were ripened, and the trees are now full of fruit- 

 buds requiring nothing with the knife. These are hardy kinds to be 

 kept as dwarfs. W^e have long looked upon the system of cutting 

 young trees " hard back " as a bad practice. Raspberry canes may 

 now be planted in deeply-trenched and well-manured ground. They 

 do well in a cool position. They may be fastened to their stakes at 

 once. Young plantations should be cut well back the first season. 

 Strawberries may be mulched with good manure. It can be turned in 

 lightly, but the roots of the plants should remain entire. 



Lawns and pleasure-grounds should be frequently swept, the grass 

 rolled, and worms kept in check by applications of lime-water. Leaves 

 should not be allowed to remain in heaps on the grass. Beach and 

 Oak leaves should be kept separate from softer kinds if they are 



