THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 185 



necessary ; a stopping, in addition is, in most cases, necessary. 

 First, it seems to concentrate the powers of the tree, thereby pro- 

 ducing fruit of a larger character; second, it tends to equalise 

 strength in trained trees, provided the most luxuriant alone are 

 stopped ; third, it tends to ripen the individual shoot acted on ; 

 and, fourth, it exercises a further amount of control over the way- 

 ward root ; which, in the case of the Peach or Nectarine, frequently 

 impels the young shoots to a September growth. I need scarcely 

 urge that such cannot possibly benefit the tree. The vast difference, 

 therefore, between a course of summer's pruning, and that of winter, 

 should be kept steadily in view by young aspirants in fruit culture. 

 A severe winter's pruning excites the wood ; that of the summer 

 ultimately checks such a tendency. Our spur-bearing fruits are in 

 general much injured by succulent spray ; and it should, be borne in 

 mind that the wall-tree receives in the main less light in the aggre- 

 gate than the ordinary espalier. This may appear a very disputable 

 matter to some persons ; but I feel persuaded that such is the case, 

 more especially when we consider that the root in the former case is 

 generally so placed as to receive a greater amount of nourishment — 

 that is to say, in proportion to the amount of perspiratory surface 

 of leaf. 



The ordinary standard grows, perspires, and of course elaborates 

 uncontrolled from a much greater amount of leaf ; whilst the severe 

 curtailment necessary with the wall-tree, destroys in a considerable 

 degree that reciprocity which should exist between the absorbing 

 and elaborating powers. 



BORONIA SERRULATA. 



BY A CORRESPONDENT. 



|LL the Boronias are handsome, but this one is an especial 

 favourite of mine. In choosing a plant from the nur- 

 sery, let it be dwarf and bushy, and take care to keep 

 it healthy and vigorous until the time has come round 

 for potting it. Commence that operation in April, by 

 preparing some nice light fibrous peat mould, beating it well to 

 pieces--. When this is done, sift it through a coarse sieve, to 

 deprive it of the coarsest roots. Then add about half the quantity 

 of silver sand, and a portion of clean broken potsherds, which will 

 keep the soil open, porous, and healthy. Mix these well together. 

 Then prepare a clean dry pot, well draining it with potsherds, upon 

 the top of which put some of the coarse roots that were rejected 

 when sifting. Place your plant upon the top, calculating the depth 

 to put the ball, bearing in mind not to sink tho collar of the plant 

 too low, but to have it rather elevated above the level of the surface 

 when potted, pressing down the soil somewhat closely. When 

 potting is finished, place the plant in a greenhouse or pit ; I prefer 



June. 



