62 Editors Letter- Box. 



H. C. W., Winsted, Conn., writes us, " I have some choice roses which mil- 

 dew badly, the leaves assuming a wrinkled appearance. I cannot lay it to a 

 damp atmosphere, as I have been particular in that respect. I have made the 

 soil very rich with superphosphate of lime ; and have thought, perhaps that is the 

 cause." — Mildew is not always a result of dampness. It occurs sometimes in 

 the dryest air. Some roses, including many of the choicest, are peculiarly liable 

 to it. Many of the Teas and Noisettes, some of the Bourbons, and some of the 

 best Perpetuals, including the Giant of Battles and its kindred, are of the number. 

 The superphosphate of lime has probably nothing to do with the mildew of your 

 roses. The best thing you can do is to powder them over with flour of sulphur. 



Ilex. — Can I successfully transplant large holly-bushes ? If so, what is the 

 best season of the year ? — You cannot count upon success in removing large 

 hollies. It is possible that one out of every ten could be made to live if removed 

 with a ball of earth towards spring. The best season of the year to transplant 

 hollies is the spring ; and, in order to insure success, small plants should be 

 used, and those from the nursery. 



X. X. — Many of the pear-scions that I set last spring have failed. Can you 

 tell me the reason why ? — We have experienced the same difficulty ; and the 

 only reason we can assign is, that last year was a very wet one, and the new 

 growth did not ripen well ; and the wood was softer than usual when winter came 

 on, and hence was injured. The scions taken from some trees have failed 

 utterly, while those from more hardy trees have lived. Among the sorts injured 

 the most witli us are the Wellington, Beurre Bosc, and Doyenne du Comice. 

 Pear-trees, when transplanted, have failed just as the scions have ; for they 

 seemed to have been so enfeebled by the winter as not to be able to take hold 

 readily in their new position. 



L. — I have planted quite a number of rather large-sized pear-trees this spring; 

 and though the work was done in the very best manner, and the season has been 

 favorable, yet they have a very sickly look. On some, the few leaves that made 

 their appearance have dried up. What is the cause t What can I do to benefit 

 them? — We have noticed some trees that have been transplanted the past 

 spring that did not look very well. The only reason we can give is, that last 

 season was a very wet one in all the Eastern States, and the trees as well as the 

 grape-vines that have suffered so severely the past winter made large growth 

 of soft wood, and they were not prepared to withstand the winter. Being 

 injured, they have not the vigor and strength such trees usually have : and some 

 may fail to live when transplanted that would have done well if they had been 

 left undisturbed ; while there may be some among the number that would have 

 died at any rate, as several bearing-trees did in our orchard. Tlie best thing 

 that can be done is, if they are large, first to stake them, or in some way to 

 fasten them so that the wind will not sway them about ; next, to mulch them 

 six or eight inches deep with hay, leaves, moss, or anything of like nature, that 

 will keep the moisture in the ground about the tree from evaporating. 



