GcTieral Notices. 555 



duclive growth ; pruning only tends to cause a rapid circulation of the sap, 

 the efFect of which is, that leaf-buds are formed instead of flower-buds. 

 The growing season is the only time that pruning can be successfully em- 

 ployed to check the growing of the root, as then the cause is removed. It 

 is upon physiological facts, such as the above, that successful cuhivation 

 depends ; for, unless proper means are employed to limit the amount of 

 gross young wood, all other means, such as expensively prepared borders, 

 and favorable exposures, will be unavailable as regards either the quantity 

 or quality of the fruit, for any length of time. The ameliorating powers of 

 the gardener for that purpose are many ; but I consider the system of reg- 

 ulating the growth by frequent and judicious transplanting, the most cer- 

 tain ; and, when aided by proper stocks, the greater part of the difficulty so 

 often complained of, in bringing trees to a bearing state, would be obvi- 

 ated, besides the loss of time. By early and frequent transplanting, fibrous 

 roots are secured instead of rank growing ones. The frequency of the trans- 

 planting must be regulated by the growth of the trees, which will greatly 

 depend on local circumstances and constitutional habits. Trees so treated 

 will require very little pruning; but, in the earlier stages of their growth, 

 a certain amount is necessary, to enable them to be trained to their required 

 form ; but, as soon as the tree is formed, it ought to be lifted and carefully 

 planted, having its roots regularly laid out, and any that show signs of 

 rankness stopped. The whole art of transplanting consists in the preserva- 

 tion of the spongioles. The roots of young trees thus dealt with for several 

 times, are in no danger of getting down into the subsoil, or from atmos- 

 pheric influences. And if, at any time, it is not convenient to transplant 

 them, or if they are becoming fully weighty to manage easily, the extrem- 

 ities of the roots can, by a very small amount of trouble, be examined, as 

 their exact position will be known. 



The benefit of root pruning upon established and unproductive trees is 

 now without doubt, the excessive vigor of growth being at once stopped, 

 and whatever tends to diminish rapid vegetation without affecting the health 

 of the tree, is favorable to the production of fruit-buds. But, in the root- 

 pruning of trees that have been mismanaged, or of long standing, there is 

 one point that I must here recommend, which is the season previous to the 

 general pruning to cut a few of the roots, by which means they will be sup- 

 plied with fibrous roots, by the aid of which they are greatly assisted the 

 succeeding season. — {North British Agriculturist, 1849, p. 362.) 



Cultivation of the Hollyhock. — The hollyhock, like a useful custom in the 

 form of dress, is subject to be assailed by the ever restless fashion of the 

 times, when its fate for a time may be sealed, until a sober conviction of its 

 utility ushers it again into favor. Such has been the fate of the hollyhock : 

 to be alternately praised and as often decried, to make room for something 

 else, having probably only novelty for its chief recommendation, proving that, 



" fashion, 

 However ridiculous, still is followed." 



The hollyhock after lingering in exile among the outcasts of old associa- 

 tions, and its name immured in musty records, or striving for existence, half 



