General J^otices. 263 



should be i)rotected wiih a flower pot inverted, to keep them dry. 

 (/J. 1842, p. 25.) 



To kill Aloss on Gravel Walks. — One ounce of sulphate of copper, 

 dissolved in a irallon of water, is strong enough to kill moss in gravel 

 walks. {Id., 1842, p. 57.) 



Taking up Hyacinth Bulbs. — "Wiicn taken up the I)uli)s should be 

 removed to a shed, sheltered from the sun, but free to air, and any 

 earth adhering to the fibres of the roots should remain for some little 

 time: after two or three days they should be looked over, and loose 

 earth shaken from them, and as the leaves decay they should be oc- 

 casionally removed. I have generally placed my bulbs at first in the 

 ground, in the tool shed, and as they got dry removed them to an airy 

 shelf. When the leaves are nearly decayed, I place them in very 

 shallow baskets, and allow as much air as practicable to be between 

 each root, to harden them, turning them every two or three days. 

 By this treatment, and rui)l)ing off any portion of mould atta(died to 

 the bottom and sides, they are in a fit state to be placed for the sum- 

 mer in a dry room, and by a little occasional attention, the rough and 

 outside coat w^ill, by a gentle pressure of the thumb, be effectually 

 removed, and exhibit the appearance of the bull) clean, smooth, and 

 in good condition. The latter process I generally do in the latter 

 part of August, and at the same time remove the remains of such 

 part of the root of the former year as may not have drojiped off ftre- 

 viously to this time. It is hardly necessary to state, that any bulb in 

 an unsound state, either from appearance of decay, or from having 

 been injured in taking up, should not be put with those intended for 

 future planting. {Id., 1842, p. 107.) 



Pruning Forest Trees. — Always look at the top of a tree to be 

 pruned — and every tree requires pruning every eight or ten years, at 

 least — and observe if it be double or round headeil. If double top- 

 y)ed, cut away the worst and most crooked, leaving only one leading 

 shoot; then look down the stem, and if the tree be vigorous, cut 

 away the strongest branches, say two, three or four of them, accord- 

 ing to its vigor. If weakly, take only one of the thickest away, and 

 on no account touch the smaller and lower branches, which aid the 

 growth of the stem, whilst the large branches are jierfect robl)ers of 

 the sap. If the head be round, ami without a straight, good leading 

 top shoot, better cut the head completely away, when it will make a 

 fresh straight shoot; or if it be of the pine tribe, cut it down altogeth- 

 er; it can never reach a valuable size, or be ornamental. {Id., 1842, 

 p. 110.) 



Treatment of some kinds of Dahlias. — Lee's Bloomsbnry, Beauty 

 of the Plain, Dowager Lady Coofier, &c., should not be thinneil out, 

 as that would tend to increase their coarseness; but by allowing them 

 to have free growth, ])art of the nourishment that would go to the 

 flowers is directed to other jiurposes, and the blooms are consequent- 

 ly finer in quality. {Id., 1842, p. 113.) 



Cultivation of Salvia patens. — In the autumn dig up the roots with 

 the dahlias, and after drying them they are stood in some good dry 

 and cool shed or cellar, sufficiently warm to keep them from freez- 

 ing, and they must be occasionally examined- About the middle of 

 February, take a few roots into the vinery or green-house, where 



