3/8 Notes and Glcanmgs. 



his grape-vines, — on the spur-system, — and, after his fruit has set, pinches in all 

 the laterals, and allows the trees to make but very little growth. It is very clear 

 that a tree, whether dwarf or standard, cannot bear fruit to any great extent, and at 

 the same time make great growth. Many varieties are inclined to run to wood 

 too much, and they should be pruned ; while some, such as the Bartlett, just as 

 soon as they begin to bear, which is quite early, will nearly cease growing, and ex- 

 pend its energies in producing fruit. It is not wise to cut back severely in sum- 

 mer, but to pinch from time to time to prevent excessive growth. The same will 

 hold true of dwarf apple-trees : pinching in or stopping the most thrifty branches 

 or leading shoots will be found to be of great advantage. Peach-trees, both in 

 tubs and in the orchard, if time will allow, will be greatly improved in form, 

 and the wood will ripen better, if the vigorous leading shoots are stopped. 

 Whether it will pay to carry the work still further, and summer-prune standard 

 pear and other trees, will depend upon circumstances. As a general rule, after 

 a tree gets to bearing, it will not grow so excessively as to need the thumb and 

 finger to stop the leaders. This work may seem formidable ; but it is not really 

 so, but may be done quite rapidly, and will generally jjay for the trouble. Cur- 

 rant and gooseberry bushes will be greatly improved by this summer pruning or 

 pinching-in ; but it should be attended to early in the season. 



Deutzia crenata FLORE PLENO. — This variety was introduced a few 

 years ago, and has now been in cultivation long enough to gain an established 

 character. The flowers are perfectly double, and grow profusely in large clus- 

 ters. Where they got their peculiar coloring is a mystery. Neither the old 

 D. crenata, nor any other of the race, as far as we are aware, shows any trace 

 of it ; for their flowers are pure white. The peculiarity consists in a very deli- 

 cate and beautiful shading of pink, which is most distinct in the outer petals, 

 passing into white towards the centre. The shrub has the habit of the well- 

 known D. scabra, though it is much smaller. It is of about the same degree 

 of hardiness, and has stood four winters with us uninjured. It is one of the 

 prettiest shrubs in existence, and grows well in common garden-soil. — F. P. 



About the Door. — A bit of shrubbery in the yard, a vine climbing by a 

 trellis, a strip of refreshing green spread from the door, are sure to make a place 

 of greater marketable value ; which, with many, is a consideration to be thought 

 of before any other. Such need no further appeal to their sense of neatness, 

 then. But those who really love the suggestions of beauty for their own sake 

 will not omit the turf-patch, the shrubbery, and the hedge and vine, because 

 they make almost any home more attractive and lovely, and cause the senti- 

 ments to sprout like the very leaves and buds themselves. How few stop to 

 consider what a powerful 'association lies lurking in every simple but familiar 

 object, like a bush, a tree, a bit of grass, or a border of flowers ! They are ob- 

 jects that hold us almost as steadily and strongly to home as wife and children : 

 they are closely associated with these, in fact, and can with difficulty be separat- 

 ed. Therefore we say to all, " Brush up about the door, and plant near by an 

 object of simple beauty. It will bear fruit in the heart a hundred-fold." 



