206 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENEE. 



[ llaioli 0, 1873. 



proceed, that many insects are useful to the gardener, besides 

 those species which prey upon other insects. Even in the 

 LepidopterouB order we might point to various species amongst 

 the smaller moths, which feed upon fallen and decaying leaves, 

 towards the disintegration of which they assist, and thus help 

 to supply leaf manure. In the Dipterous order, also, many 

 instances might he adduced, where the larvas or maggots in- 

 duce decomposition in the substances on which they feed, 

 and these then evolve different gaseous products than they 

 would have done had they been undisturbed ; the result is that 

 much which might have been injurious to vegetation through 

 its effects on the atmosphere is thus disposed of. Both bees 

 and flies play an active part in assisting in the fertilisation of 

 flowers, and the maturing of fruits. As Mr. Walker justly 

 observes — " Diptera generally being more quick-witted, sharp- 

 sighted, or impulsive than any other insects, take the lead in 

 migration, and in extending their influence over new regions. 

 A large proportion of them are especially useful in the develop- 

 ment^ of flowers, and thus advancing vegetation." This, in 

 fact, is like skirmishers in an army ; while the bustling noisy 

 bees are rather to be compared to the soldiers in the heavy 

 regiments, though indeed some of the Hymenoptera are as agUe 

 and slender as thek Dipterous relatives.— J. E. S. C. 



gretit advantage, as many fruit trees suffer on a south wall 

 during hot weather from the sun falling on their unprotected 

 stems. The bole of a tree growing iu a state of nature is always 

 shaded — at any rate whilst young. 



Having seen the success which has followed this mode of 

 culture, I am convinced the Apricot finds in such a glass shed 

 as mine all it requires — ^plenty of air , indeed plenty of wind , 

 protection from rain and snow, or rather, I should say, from 

 ice and snow, for I beUeve ice formed on its branches is often 

 fatal ; and lastly, plenty of light and sun for its leaves and 

 fruit. As its roots will extend outside it will also find plenty 

 of food and moisture.— J. E. Pe.irson, ChilivcU. 



APBICOT SHEDS. 



As requested, I send you two views ( /hjg I and 2) of my new 

 shed for the growth of Apricots. Though shown open at the 



ACACIAS. 



The Acacias are a genus of fine-habited greenhouse shrubs, 

 and for the most part yellow-flowering. Very free iu flowering, 

 and producing their golden balls or brushes, in the winter and 

 spring months they are deserving of a place in most green- 

 houses, in fact no greenhouse is so small but it ought to possess 

 at least three kinds, iu order that this family may be repre- 

 sented from the commencement of winter to the close of 

 spring. 



Acacias are among the most easily cultivated of greenhouse 

 plants, requiring a compost of light fibrous loam three parts, 

 and one part sandy peat and leaf soil, with a sixth of silver 

 sand. Good drainage i^ necessary, but it need not be more 

 than one-sixth th'J dep:h of the pots employed. The best 



Fi;;. 1. — Ainicut £liccl. 



Fir- 2.— Aprioot Sl.ea— Euil View. 



ends, both are boarded as high as the sides, the gables being 

 glazed like the roof, the front only being open. As it is in- 

 tended for a pot shed alone, it will be seen the boles of the 

 trees are guarded to prevent injury to them. All the pillars 

 are of iron, those at the back being Foster's patent standards 

 (./;.'/. 3). The round pillars in front are let into blocks of stone 

 below the soil. Iron spouts on both sides catch the rain water, 

 and the whole forms as strong, light, and durable a structure 

 as could well be built. It is ojicn to the east, wliich is, I think, 

 the proper aspect. East winds do no harm to tlio Apricot, 

 whilst the tree's roots are the better nf n, warm border. Again, 

 thus situated, the tree boles are shaded from the hot sun, a 



-Foster's Patent Stondai-d. 



time to repot is in spring or when the floweiiug is over, and 

 the plants are beginning to make fresh growths. If, however, 

 any pruning be required it should be done when the plants 

 are going out of bloom, and as they will bear pruning well 

 there can be no excuse for keeping straggling specimens. It is 

 better, however, not to allow a plant to become badly fur- 

 nished, and then seek to bring it into form by severe pruning. 

 At its best, severe pruning is bad practice, and on old plants it 

 is attended with risk. The training should commence with 

 the early stages of the plant's growth, and be continued 

 throngliout. The pruning needed ought only to consist in 

 .shortening iri'egularity of growth, which may be done after 

 flowering, and afterwards during growth, in stopping any 

 shoots disposed to grow too straggling. In this way good well- 

 furnifhol plants may be formed, and when they become old, 



