C22 GARDEN MANAGEMENT. 



first week than for many weeks afterwai'ds, and if not removed, it soon 

 affects others. 



1953. Peaches and Xectar'aie-trees should have all superfluous shoots re- 

 moved, and the young' wood left exposed to as much sun as possible, to ripen the 

 shoots, on which the hopes of the following' year depend. As soon as the leaves 

 part readily from the branches, sweep them off], but not violently, with a 

 new birch-broom. The trees will be benefited by passing a light broom 

 over the foliage in the direction of its growth. It will detach the ripened 

 leaves, and admit air to the heart of the tree and branches. Koot-pruning, if 

 thought requisite, perform towards the end of the month. The sign of its being 

 required is found in over- luxuriant foliage, with an absence of fruit; but it 

 requires to be done with caution. Dig a trench round the tree, one, two, or 

 three feet from the stem, according to its size, so as to lay open all the roots. 

 All old roots which have ceased to throw out rootlets or spongioles, should be 

 pruned away close to the stem, the young roots trimmed, and all having a 

 tendency to tap-root, or descend too deep, should be cut away. This done, 

 till up the trench with suitable fresh soil or compost. Where extensive root- 

 pruning is necessary, it should be done partially in two or three years, re- 

 ■moving a portion of the objectionable roots on each occasion. 



1954. Plums. — In wet seasons gather the late sorts, with their stalks at- 

 tached ; suspend them in the fruit-room ; or, wrapt in thin paper, they will 

 keep for several weeks. Quinces, medlars, and all sorts of nuts, are also now 

 fit to gather. 



1955. Paspherries of the autumn-bearing kind should now be beai'ing a good 

 ■supply of fruit. If the weather be fine, the canes which have fruited should 

 be cut out, and the young ones left three or four to a stool : then manure, and 

 dig between them, leaving the young shoots their full length until the spring. 

 New plantations may now be made ; the improved mode being to plant 

 single canes about 18 inches apart, and attached them to espaliers. 



1956. Slrav:herries. — Remove all runnei-s fi'om the plants, and manure and 

 dig between the rows ; using the three-tined fork so as to avoid injuring the 

 roots. Runners may be bedded out for new plantations, the formation of 

 which should now stand over, however, till the spring. 



1957. Gooseherries and Currants. — To grow these favourite fruits in perfection 

 a deep and tolerably rich soil is required ; and preparatory to planting, this 

 should be deeply trenched and manvu-ed with thoroughly-rotted dung. Both 

 are propagated by cuttings, which should be well-ripened wood of last yeai''s 

 growth, slipped from the tree, and from 10 to 12 inches long. Haviilg selected 

 the slip and separated it from the j^arent stem, cut oflf the top, leaving four 

 shoots : trim oflf all others. Make two or three incisions, penetrating half 

 through the stem, to expedite the process of rooting, and plant the cuttings in 

 •a nursery-bed in rows a few inches apart each way. When the cuttings have 

 made roots, transplant them into a bed of deeper and i-icher soil, pruning 

 back the four shoots to five or six inches, and leaving two side shoots to each. 

 Here they may remain a second year, the four shoots now multiplied to eight. 



