550 THE GARDENER. [Dec. 



careful. Bad seed is what we scarcely ever had supplied to us, 

 except with a double quantity sent, and caution given to " sow thick." 



All the leaves will now be off fruit-trees, and pruning may be 

 finished as early as possible. Keeping in mind, however, what birds 

 are likely to do later in the season, the advice formerly given as to 

 keeping up a supply of young wood in both trees and bushes should 

 be carefully borne in mind, as vigorous plants can soon be crippled. 

 Keep roots of newly-planted trees protected from frost, and if litter 

 is objectionable, let it be covered with some of the surrounding earth. 



If planting has been neglected till past the middle of the month, 

 and is still to be done this season, let the trees remain till February or 

 March, when the soil will again be kindly, and in order for the roots 

 to be properly placed and covered. Nothing is more injurious to 

 fruit-trees than placing their roots in wet heavy soil, and treading it 

 into a puddle. We often, when planting fruit trees to be kept in 

 narrow limits, firmly ram the soil, mixing it with stones, but never 

 think of attempting the operation when the ground is wet. While 

 speaking of dwarfing trees, we may mention that we have done it to a 

 considerable extent during the last few years, and have found it pro- 

 fitable by bringing the trees into bearing the year after planting, 

 and filling up spaces which would have probably remained empty. 

 When the trees show signs of growing strong and watery, the vigorous 

 roots are found and shortened back, and the soil is again rammed 

 down. We have just received over a dozen of trained plums in fine 

 condition to fill up vacant spaces between larger trees. The kinds 

 are Victoria, Nectarine, Prince of Wales, Pond's Seedling, Goliah, 

 and Mitchelson's Plum. These kinds can always be brought to bear 

 freely in a short time, and the quantities to be seen in the possession of 

 the market growers around Fulham and elsewhere are a sign that they are 

 useful and of hardy constitution. A friend sent us a box of Cherries 

 about the end of October, which has induced us to plant a few trees 

 of the kind. Belle Agathe is the name given. Wasps are said to 

 keep away from the fruit. Some practical writers strongly advise the 

 extension system of growing fruit-trees, which is no doubt the best 

 when circumstances will allow it; but where variety is wanted and space 

 limited, " dwarfed " trees are necessary to give supplies. Some are in 

 favour of grafting large Pear-trees with a variety of kinds. The 

 practice often answers well, but the kinds chosen should be of as 

 much the same habit as possible, as the strong would rob the 

 weakly growers, and the latter would bear badly, and live only a 

 short time. Grafts and cuttings of fruit-trees should have their ends 

 placed in soil where they would not suffer from dryness. Raspberries 

 should have all the suckers, not required taken up, and the canes 



