editor's table. 



1!Y AVILMAM SAl NDKllS. 



Vrcf.taiu.e fiAra'F.x. — Paring dry s(^^so^l^!, thcri> is frpquontly gro.it <li(ricuUy experienced 

 in tlio roniovinij .itkI setting ont yoimc cabli.'ige i)lants, itc. ; oven alt liongli oarofully watorcd 

 and tondod, many failures occur. Mankind instinctively resort to water as the groat cure- 

 all to diseased and laniiuid vegetation ; hut it is seldom j)roperly apiilied. No amount of 

 watiT will cause a plant to grow that has heen divested of its roots. L'ools must first he 

 encouraged before water becomes available. Plants that have been grown in a crowded 

 seed bed, seldom come up with roots proportioned to the tops. They are, in fact, more like 

 cuttings, and ought to be treated somewhat similarly. It is not exjiedieut, on an extensive 

 scale, to give each plant an atmosi)hore suited to its wants ; tlierefore, the plants must he 

 suited to the atuiospliere, by diminishing the foliage. We have never found any dilficulty. 

 in tiansplanting, when the leaves have been shortened or removed, and tlu! roots puddleil 

 with soil. Even trees can be removed during the height of their growth, when treated in a 

 similar manner, and many kinds more successfully than under any other circumstances. 



l-'itriT. — Plantations of strawberries may be made this month, and, if properly cared for, 

 will produce largely next season. Manure heavily, and incorporate it thoroughly with a 

 good depth of soil. Give the plants plenty of room, and do not be deterred from manuring 

 heavily by a supposition that you will have all vine and no fruit, which is a very probable 

 result when tlie plants cover all the ground. 



Gkapes u.ndek Glass. — We are more than ever convinced that what is termed the r/osc- 

 sptirring system of managing grapes, is an erroneous one. This, and deticient ventilation, 

 are the great source of badly colored grapes, unripened wood, and consequent winter-killed 

 plants. Allow for the gradual extension of the jilants, by thinning them out as the}' get 

 crowded ; if one plant ultimately fills the house, so much the better. Keep the house well 

 ventilated during the night, that the wood may mature as it advances in growth, and keep 

 the atmosphere charged with moisture during the day, by sprinkling water on the soil ; if 

 the inside borders get dry, give a thorough soaking once a week, with rain water. On no 

 account water with cold spring water, unless you wish to study its eflects in producing rot, 

 mildew, and other rualadies. 



Prumxg. — The science of pruning docs not seem to be generally understood, notwithstand- 

 ing all that has been advanced on the subject. Summer is recommended by some as the 

 best time, while others s.ay that winter is the proper season. So far as simply th'nning out 

 the branches of an old and well established tree, it perhaps matters but little what season is 

 chosen for the operation ; but as practised for the production of fruit, in opposition to the pro- 

 duction of timber, as special objects, the season is all-important. Fruit growers who are con- 

 versant with pruning, recognize these distinctions, and act accordingly ; they know that when 

 a luxuriant, healthy tree has attained a fruit bearing size, but shows no disposition to fruit, 

 the barrenness is owing to preponderant wood growth, which must be checked, in order to 

 encourage the formation of flower buds. They also know, that by diminishing the foliage 

 during growth, the plrwit is weakened ; that by rubbing off a bud in May, prevents the 

 necessity of cutting out a branch in November; that by pinching out the point of a grow- 

 ing branch, lateral brancluis are immediately produ(.'ed from buds that would otherwise 

 have remained dormant until the following season ; and, on the other hand, that to strengthen 

 a weakly tree, every leaf should be carefully retained during summer, and the branches 

 pruned severely after the plant has become deciduous. The results of winter and summer 

 I)runing are as important as they are dissimilar. 



SiiuriiBERY. — Th" aridity of our climate, and want of shade and shelter in many situations, 

 render the cultivation of evergreen shrubs of local attainment. Latitude does not form a 

 sufficient guide to the successful growth of broad-leaved evergreens. Sheltered valleys, in 

 northern latitudes, may abound in them, while in seemingly more congenial climates, they 

 will not thrive. Thick shrubbery borders add so much to the variety and interest of small 

 places, that this want is severely felt. But we may form the largest growing trees into 

 shrubs, as far as effect is concerned, by proper pruning. Beautiful bushes may be formed 

 of the Norway and Hemlock Spruces, Arbor-vit;es, &c., by careful trimming, and pruning 

 the strongest branches. Admirable deciduous shrubbery may be obtained by similar treat- 

 ment on Maples, the Tulip-tree, Gums, Sassafras, &c. The great profusion of massive foliage 

 which can thus be produced, with the variety of colors which such foliage undergoes during 

 the various stages of growth, would add a feature to our shrubberies which they cannot now 

 claim. 



