THE DAWN OF SPRING 



propagating them, the lower half of the ball of soil and March 

 roots may be cut away, the loose soil crumbled from the ^'^5 

 shoulders, and the reduced ball packed firmly in fresh 

 soil in the same size pot. This plan saves the necessity 

 of procuring larger pots. 



It is wise to shade and syringe Ferns after repotting 

 them, so as to give them every chance of becoming 

 re-established quickly. They must, of course, be per- 

 manently shaded when the hot weather comes on. 



Fruit 



The work indicated for the latter half of February 

 may be continued in March. Pruning and planting 

 should be completed, as before the month is out many 

 trees will be starting growth. 



Pruning Nuts. — If Filbert and Cob Nut trees are now 

 examined it will be found, probably, that small reddish 

 flowers are open on side shoots springing from the main 

 branches. These are the fruiters, or female flowers. 

 The male element is supplied by the long yellow " cat- 

 kins," from which the pollen is blown when it is dry. 

 The pruning of Nuts should be deferred until the red- 

 dish flowers are open, and dry pollen is present, simul- 

 taneously. After fertilisation, any long shoots which are 

 bearing female flowers may be shortened to the incipient 

 fruit, but short, bearing shoots may be left unpruned. 

 Shoots that bear catkins alone may be cut right back 

 after fertilisation. 



Early Vines. — Vines in houses that were started 

 recently will be pushing freely now, and any superfluous 

 shoots should be removed before they have extended 

 more than a couple of inches, at which stage there will 

 be no difficulty in choosing which to remove and which 



J^5 



