VOL. 28. 



MAEOH, 18T3. 



1^0. 321. 



Garden Topics. 



BY THE EDITOR. 

 I'liniti}i{f ,S/i7'>ibs. 



A MISTAKEN opinion seems to be entertained by many, that any manure will do 

 -^ for trees and shrubs, and the amateur planter, thinking that wood mould, chip 

 manure, and decaying sods from some cesspool will prove desirable, at once uses it 

 freely in filling up the holes dug for the new trees. Perhaps no greater injury has 

 ever been done in horticulture than the recommendation, by inexperienced writers, 

 of chip mamtre as a dressing. Its danger arises mainly from its ready disposition 

 to spread fungi, which inevitably arises in soils naturally a little moist and tenacious. 

 And when once formed, it spreads with astonishing rapidity, totally preventing growth 

 and finally killing the tree or shrub. An instance is on record of an English gar- 

 dener, who planted two very fine pyramidal white Bigarreau cherries side by side. 

 One grew very well, and answered his expectations ; the other, after putting forth 

 its leaves, made no growth; the foliage gradually acquired a sickly hue, despite the 

 most careful of attentions, and at last it was taken up. It was discovered that the 

 roots were covered with a lacing of a delicate white fungus, which had spread to them 

 from a piece of rotten wood buried in the soil. The roots were at once cleansed, and 

 the old earth removed, and fresh loam replaced ; but the tree had suffered too much, 

 could not recover, and died a victim to the deadly effects of fungus. Chip manure 

 is the hiding-place, besides of fungus, of worms and insects by the score ; and its 

 only possible value can be either through its reduction in the fermentation of a lively 

 compost heap, or in being burned to save the ashes. It is a wise policy never to 

 apply it as a fertilizer to the roots of any tree, shrub or vine. 



How to fUnit Shrxihg. 



Another point in planting should be well considered, viz. : get your plants into 

 the ground as soon as possible after their receipt. .Cover them with soil, even if but 

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