EPITOU'8 TABLE. 



the analysis of the chemist. In a former volume (1840), I took occnsion to allude to this 

 subji'ct ; more recently, we fiml an increase<l attention piven it by scientilie writeip. So 

 unit li ilepends upon the lU-coniposing power of the atinospiiore, that its jnesence or absence 

 in a soil will materially ell'ei't its productiveness. The soil s1h>u1)1 he coiisi(h!re(l as a labora- 

 tory, in which, by the aid of air and moisture, chemical changes are constantly occurring, 

 pn'jK-iring the various kinds of jilaut fooil for admission to roots. Hut let the atmospheric 

 inrtuences be extduded, and this process is stopped ; the most valuable ijicrredients, although 

 present, may now remain unavailable and useless to vegetation, because not in a condition 

 litt«'d for absorption. It has been jiroved that soils which, on analysis, have shown a suf- 

 ficiency of ingredients for a croj), have proved unproductive, because these matters have 

 not been present in an available form. Draining removes the surj)]us water, and allows 

 the unimpeded access of the various gases ujion which vegetable life wholly depends. 



Frimt. — The cultivation of the pear-tree grafted on (juince roots, is now being a subject 

 of discussion among fr\iit growers ; we sliould be sorry to see this system of dwarf culture 

 fall into unmerited disrepute. It is a fact beyond dispute, that where a judicious selection 

 of sorts that are adajited to this system has been made, and i)roper care given in culture, 

 there has been no want of success. It is only by experiuuuit that we can ascertain the 

 kinds adapted to special systems of culture ; and in making these experiments, failures must 

 be expected. The list of pears that have been found to succeed on the quince stock, is 

 sufKciently extensive for ordinary jiurposes of utility, and the list is yearly increasing. The 

 Duchess d'Angouleme, Beurre liiUard, Glout Morceau, Louise Bonne de Jersey, Vicar of 

 Winkfield, and Easter Beurre, will form a reliable collection ; but no collection can be re- 

 liable iinless properly cultivated. Let the ground be loose, deep, and mellow, and not 

 saturated with manure. Plant so as to cover the quince root, whatever others may say. 

 Mulch, both summer and winter. Prune understandingly, and success will be certain. 

 But do not attempt to improve upon the practice of successful growers until you first learn 

 to equal it, nor spend money on special manures, or any other extraordinarij expedients, 

 until you are successful under onlinan/ cultivation. 



Greesuouse. — Before severe frosty weather prevents out-door operations in the ground, it 

 will be useful to secure a quantity of soil for repotting during winter. Select a quantity of 

 surfy sods from old meadows or pasture grounds, and pile them up under cover. All green- 

 house plants will grow well in this. In former years, when vague ideas were held iu regard 

 to the relations between the soil and its vegetable products, mysterious virtues were ascribed 

 to certain complicated mixtures of manures and composts. These mixtures are not at pre- 

 sent held in such estimation ; the intelligent florist looks upon soil as a medium for con- 

 veying nourishment, where the roots have presented to them the various gases from which 

 they derive their principal food. To be available for the use of vegetation, soils should not 

 only possess all the ingredients of fertility, in a chemical sense, but its physical condition 

 (its relation to air and water) should also be of a nature to allow a free admission of air to 

 all its parts, and be favorable to the extension and ramification of roots. Fibry soil, such 

 as is derived from decomposed sods, presents all these conditions in an eminent degree. 

 The vegetable matter in which they abound insures porosity, and, as it gradually decays, a 

 constant supply of food is liberated in the immediate vicinity of the roots. The principal 

 care required iu the general management at this time, is to guard against excitement. Air 

 may be given freely, and watering must be cautiously conducted. Discriminate between 

 those plants that have completed their growth, and now require a season of rest, and those 

 that are still growing or coming into flower. The latter will require a more constant supply 

 of water than the former. There is no operation in the management of plants in pots tliat 

 demands more judgment than supplying them judiciously with water; and so varied are 

 their requirements of this element, that no definite rules can be given to be universally 

 applicable. 



Planting. — In sheltered situations, trees may yet be planted ; do not, however, plant in 

 a hurry, but let the ground be thoroughly prepared, and in good condition. It is a com- 

 mendable practice to preijare the holes now, throwing out the soil, and leaving it exposed, 

 to be acted iipon by frosts ; by that means, it will accjuire a friability not otherwise easily- 

 obtained. If you find it more convenient to get your trees now than in the spring, or if 

 your orders have to come from a more northern locality than your own, by all means secure 

 them at once ; and, when they arrive, have a deep trench prepared, and lay them in closely, 

 covering them well, at least one-half up their stems ; they will then be ready to plant at the 

 earliest fitting moment in spring — a matter of great importance. This is also the best 

 on for transportation. In the liiarry of spring work, trees aie frequently exposed to 

 ing winds, which are not so i^revalent dui'ing the present month. 



