EDITOR'S TABLE. 



such cultivation is apparent in the increased vigor and deeper colored verdure of the plants. 

 Stir the ground about celery plants, and do not begin to earth it up until the plants are 

 growing freely. 



Hakdy Fruit. — Grapes. — The points of all the leading shoots should now be pinched out, 

 and thin out some of the lateral or side shoots on the fruit bearing branches, so that a free 

 circulation of air may reach the fi-uit, but not by any means endeavor to expose it fully to 

 the sun. It will ripen more perfectly, and attain a deeper color under the shade of the. 

 leaves. It is not too late yet to cut out some of the bunches, if the crop is too heavy ; the 

 grape is a free and large bearer, but a continued yearly supply can only be insured by allow- 

 ing regular and moderate crops. 



Steawbekries. — Plants for forcing early nest spring should be secured, and potted early 

 this month. Select young runners of the pi-esent year's growth, and place them singly into 

 five-inch pots. Use a good, loamy soil ; let it be rather di-y when used, and press it firmly 

 in the pots. If advantage can be taken of a shaded spot, they should be placed there for a 

 week or so, until they commence growth ; then they cannot have too much sun, but see that 

 they are always well supplied with water. By slightly diminishing the foliage, they may 

 be set out in the sun at once. 



Root Pruning. — Pruning the roots of trees is an operation conducive to fruitfulness not 

 practised to that extent which it merits. In the hands of intelligent cultivators it is a 

 valuable expedient, much more certain in its etfects than many of the so-called dwarfing 

 systems by grafting. Indeed, many of the stocks used for this purpose grow so vigorously 

 in this climate, as to defeat the object in view. The mahalab is used as a stock for dwarfing 

 cherries, in Europe ; here, they grow as strong upon it as on the mazzard. Even the quince 

 will not check the vigorous growth of some pears, and are, in consequence, many years in 

 arriving at a bearing state. Pear culture on the quince, although beautiful in theory, does 

 not seem to give entire satisfaction in general practice. Many are inclined to believe that 

 they are short-lived when thus grafted. To such it may be useful to know, that all the 

 advantages claimed for dwarf stocks can be derived from skilful root pruning. 



Many expedients in the culture of trees that we are apt to consider only of recent appli- 

 cation, have long been practised. Such operations to induce fruitfulness, as bending down 

 the shoots, cutting the bark, or ringing the branches, root pruning, &c., were practised during 

 the last century. Darwin, seventy years ago, alludes to these practices in the following 

 comprehensive sentences : — 



" If prouder branches, with exuberance rude, 

 Point their green germs, their barren shoots protrude, 

 Wound tiiem, ye >yli>hs, with little knives, or bind 

 A wiry ringlet nniml the swelling rind : 

 Bisect, with chisel Sue, the roots below, 

 Or bend to earth the lunospitable bough." 

 I 



The advantage of root pruning is, that you can plant a young tree in a favorable position 

 for luxuriant growth, and, after it has attained a size to bear a crop, throw it into fruit at 

 once. This is effected by checking the giowth in time to admit of the formation of wood 

 buds. By digging a trench rouml the tree a few feet from the stem, at the present time, and 

 cutting through the strongest roots, wood growth is checked, and fruit buds are formed before 

 the trees become deciduous. Spring has been recommended for the operation, but the period 

 of giowth is the proper time to protluce immediate eflect. This treatment may be performed 

 on all fruit-trees that have attained a size for bearing a crop. 



Grapery. — When the fruit is ripening, the supply of water at the root should be gradually 

 curtailed. Syringing over the foliage should alrso be discontinued, but still, keep a slight 

 humidity in the atmosphere by sprinkling water on the floor of the house. Keep the house 

 well aired, both night and day, and pinch the young points out of all growing shoots. When 

 a bunch of fruit is cut, immediately prune back the shoot to within two or thiet; eyes of the 

 stem, and use means to get the wood well matured. The ripening and hardening of th6 

 wood is now the principal object, as upon it depends the next season's production. The 

 soil and atmosphere should he kept perftictly dry as soon as the crop is fit for use. Many 

 grajteries are destroyed by being overtaken witli frost while in a succulent and immature 

 state. 



Outside borders should be covered with leaves or manure, to throw oflT heavy fall rains. 

 Everything, for the future, depends upon a thoio«<;h and proper termination of growth. 



ENiiousE. — The gayety of the house will still be kept up with fuchsias, gesneras, 

 ias, and those beautiful and indispensable summer flowers, the achemenes. Endeavor 



