THE 



GARDENER'S MONTHLY 



AND 



HORTICULTURIST. 



DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE. ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS. 



Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN. 



Volume XVIII. 



MAY, 1376. 



Number 209. 



^•^avO 



.LOWER KARDEN AND MfLEASURE pROUND. 



SEASONABLE HINTS. 



Most of our readers know that evergreens can 

 be transplanted witli considerable success at any 

 season of the year if certain precautions be 

 taken. But perhaps the best time is just as the 

 buds are about to burst. The roots are very ac- 

 tive just then, and soon recover from any injury 

 done them. They can be moved long after the 

 buds have pushed, if the young growth be pinched 

 back. It is enough to pinch off half the length 

 of the growing shoot, though in cases of poor 

 roots nearly all may be taken away. In like 

 manner deciduous trees may be planted long 

 after they are in leaf, if a good portion of the 

 young leaves and branchlets are cut out. In this 

 kind of pruning tlie custom is carelessly to cut 

 away anything; and as the stout, strong end 

 branches come first to hand, these are the ones 

 sacrificed, — but this should be reversed. It is the 

 poor, slender, half-dried-up stufi" that should be 

 cut out. The healtliy, luxuriant wood, full of 

 hfc and sap; is just what we want to depend on. 

 Watering at transplanting is poor policy. It is 

 much better to have the earth dry, and broken 

 in well about the roots. They will get all the 

 moisture they need if only in contact with the 

 earth. This is just what thorough beating does. 

 Some people fear injuring the roots by this tre- 

 mendous beating process. But far more injury 

 results from open air-spaces, loose lioles, and such 

 like, than from all the injury the most severe 

 pounding with heavy hammers is ever likely to 

 inflict. The depth to be planted will depend on 



the kind of tree, and kind of soil. In light sandy 

 soil, there is seldom injury from deep planting, 

 — and especially from woody rooting trees like 

 oaks and poplars — but fibrous rooted trees suffer 

 very much, especially in heavy clay soils. If 

 land is rather wet, elevate the plants somewhat 

 above instead of putting them below the surface. 

 There are a few things with poor ferny roots 

 which must always be set deep. Pyracantha ia 

 one of these. The plant may be half buried to 

 advantage. Amongst evergreens the singular 

 Thuja ericoides is another example. 



Flowers in pots and tubs, for adorning roada 

 and gardens, now spring like lovely butterflies 

 from their winter's hiding places. Cellars givo 

 forth their treasures, and barns, pits and green- 

 houses bring fortli their lovely things each after 

 its kind. 



This branch of gardening has not been enough 

 valued. There are many things which do not 

 well endure our winter, that are truly beautiful 

 when a little protection is aftorded them ; but 

 because they are only half hardy, are not grown 

 at all. The following are well worthy of being 

 grown in this way : 



Magnolia fuscata, Pittosporums, Cleroden- 

 dron Bungei, Hydrangea, Figs, Oleander, pink 

 and white; Pomegranate, single for fruit and 

 double for show ; Bignonia Capensis, Bouvar- 

 dia triphylla. Oranges, Lemons, Laui-el, Bay, 

 Laurustinus, New Zealand flax, Mahonias — par- 

 ticularly M. Darwinii — Euonymus japonicus, 

 Aloes, Agaves, and others. In very cold cli- 

 mates. Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots and Plums 



