1870.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 303 



the trees are of some considerable age, and never have been root-pruned, 

 the month of January or the early part of February will be found the 

 best for performing this operation. In either case much care must be 

 exercised in order to injure as little as possible any of the roots. A 

 trench ought to be cut round at some distance from the tree with a 

 spade, after which steel forks ought to be used to work forward in the 

 direction of the tree, shaking every root free from the soil as the opera- 

 tion proceeds until the whole are laid bare. All the roots which have 

 a downward tendency, and all which are gross and devoid of fibre, 

 ought to be taken away with a sharp knife, leaving as clean a wound 

 as possible. After the whole has been gone over carefully, the tree 

 may be replanted, using as much fresh good soil of the nature already 

 recommended as can be procured. Give the w T hole a good watering if 

 the soil is dry ; afterwards mulch the surface, and the operation is 

 finished. James M'Millax. 



( To he rontinurrl .) 



HINTS FOR AMATEUES.-JULY. 



Many of the Brassica tribe of plants for winter supply will now be out 

 and growing rapidly, if all has gone well. With us, growth never was 

 more rapid. The hoe and fork will now be required more than at 

 any other time, both for keeping an open healthy surface and for 

 destroying weeds. There will soon be Turnips, Potatoes, and other 

 crops cleared off ground, which will require preparing and planting. 

 A good stock of Kale, Cabbage, and Cauliflower, ready to plant, will 

 be useful for "filling up." Vacant spaces in autumn have a wasteful 

 appearance, besides giving trouble in keeping them clean. All main 

 crops of Broccolis and Brussels Sprouts not planted should have atten- 

 tion at once ; and as July is a hot month, extra attention with watering 

 will be necessary : puddling the roots, and placing the earth properly 

 to them, must be kept in mind, as formerly advised. Coleworts should 

 be planted thickly for cutting young, and leaving every alternate plant 

 to grow larger. Successions of Cabbages are more preferable for 

 general use than old ones left to sprout and heart, but the latter plan 

 is often adopted ; and when the old crops are cut, the stumps should 

 be cleared of the oldest of the leaves, and a good mulching given ; or 

 rotten dung forked in over the roots answers better. If a chance crop of 

 Peas is to be sown, an early kind — such as Sangster's No. 1 or First Crop 

 — may be tried. Success with late Peas depends much on a mild autumn 

 — not too damp. Asparagus and Seakale may be improved with a 



