1G8 THE GARDENER. [April 



mity of outline, and has wisely brought out the rugged features of the surrounding 

 country, in a way that only quick sense can imitate. 



There was rather a sharp dispute some years ago as to whether the Mistletoe 

 would grow on the Oak : that it will do so is a settled point, as Mr Coleman showed 

 me an instance, which establishes the fact. With a kindness that bespeaks a 

 great amount of liberality, Earl Somers freely admits the public to these beautiful 

 grounds several days in the week, a privilege that cannot be too highly valued by 

 those who can appreciate a rare combination of nature and art. 



In conclusion I may be permitted to say — and I never assert what I do not 

 thoroughly believe — that Mr Coleman tolerates no hobbies, as every department 

 receives the same attention, which is easily seen from the order that prevails in 

 the most remote corner. To manage so extensive an establishment, and keep 

 everything in such excellent order, requires both tact and ability. With feelings 

 of gratitude for numerous acts of attention, I passed on to Ledbury, got comfort- 

 ably seated on the top of what is now rarely to be seen, a four-horse coach, and 

 arrived safely in Gloucester. Alexander Cramb. 



THE CULTIVATION OF HARDY FRUITS. 



THE CHERRY. 

 {Continued from page 1 08. ) 



We have seen that the soil best suited to the Cherry is a good friable 

 loam, moderately rich, neither too heavy nor too light. The Morello 

 and Bigarreau will, however, do well in, and in fact prefer, a good heavy 

 loam. Mr M'Intosh, in his ' Book of the Garden,' page 538, says 

 that "we have seen the best crops and the healthiest trees we ever 

 saw lately growing in a deep strong clay, while we remember well that the 

 oldest Cherry-orchards in England are planted on deep sandy loams, 

 often resting on a rocky bottom. Generally speaking, however, this 

 tree thrives best on a good deep loam, and worst of all on thin gravelly 

 soils." From this it will be observed that although his experience 

 agrees with my own, yet the best trees ever he had seen were growing 

 upon soil of a very different nature. Those having a soil more clayey 

 than I have recommended, need not fear the result with such a high 

 authority on the side of the soil ; yet where such a soil as I have 

 recommended is easily procured, it should be preferred. My prefer- 

 ence for a good friable loam is because the Cherry requires a consider- 

 able amount of moisture, especially the strong-growing varieties. It 

 is a well-known fact that stiff clay is not retentive of moisture, for 

 water passes rapidly from it, leaving it in a hard and baked condition ; 

 also light gravelly soils pass the water too rapidly through them, so 

 that in a few days they become dry and light like dust. Medium 

 soils retain moisture best, for they are open enough to receive it, and 

 retain it for some considerable time; and not this only, but they 



