Xotes and Gleanings. 367 



some well-fermented compost in the hill to give the seed a good start while the 

 sod is rotting. As most gardeners are confined to one locality, and cannot avail 

 themselves either of a virgin or sod soil, it may be well to add, that leaf-njould 

 from the forest will rejuvenate an old garden, and restore it to its original ca- 

 pacity for the production of potatoes and other roots. Muck from the swamp, 

 and sods from the side of the road, will have a similar but not an equal effect. 

 We hear much complaint of the failure of potatoes in old gardens. As a sure 

 remedy for this failure, we recommend leaf-mould with as much confidence as 

 Brandreth does his pills for a disordered stomach. In our next, we shall consider 

 the different varieties of potatoes. 



Plum-Tree, Curculio, and Black Knot. — One of the most beautiful 

 sights which meet the eye of the visitor to a well-kept garden of fruits is that 

 of a properly trimmed and trained plum-tree, loaded with its golden or purple 

 fruit. But, alas ! too often are one's cherished e.xpectations doomed to disap- 

 pointment through the ravages of the curculio and black knot. Yet it is possible 

 to behold this beautiful sight by a little care and exertion. I speak knowingly, 

 since it has been a labor of love with me for eight or ten years to cultivate this 

 tree, and produce its fruit to gratify my eye and educate my taste. I theretbre 

 propose to give a few facts touching its cultivation, and production of fruit; and, 

 to do it so as to convey to the reader a practical knowledge of the method, I will 

 relate my practice after the manner of a tutor. In the first place, secure a piece 

 of ground with a good natural drainage or gravelly subsoil (but any soil may 

 be suitably under-drained, for this is essential) ; secure thrifty one-year-old trees 

 of single stem from bud, if possible from three to five feet high, which in spring, 

 at time of planting, cut back to eighteen inches ; for it is an advantage to have 

 the head low. This eighteen-inch trunk will throw out side-limbs : select three 

 of the best on opposite sides, and rub off tlie rest ; thus you will commence the 

 formation of the head. In the following spring, cut back (if a good growth has 

 been made) two-thirds of this three-limb growth, leaving an outside bud on each 

 limb : these, in turn, will throw out two or more thrifty shoots each ; if more, 

 however, remove them. Then, again, head back as before, and continue to do 

 this from year to year ; and in course of time you will have a vase-shaped tree, — 

 a thing of beauty, — with nearly perpendicular main limbs, capable of supporting 

 almost any weight. The process of cutting back to an inside or outside bud will 

 either expand or contract the tree at pleasure. But, should the growth be a 

 little rebellious, nothing is simpler than to practise the old adage, '"Just as the 

 twig is bent, the tree's inclined." I have tlius produced a perfect model of a 

 wine-glass. A few minor limbs may occasionally mar the general contour, which 

 should be removed or shortened in from time to time as the tree develops. So 

 much for trimming and training. And now a word as to its cultivation. In the 

 first place, let me most strenuously urge, at no time and by no means permit 

 those fell-destroyers, the plough and spade, to go tearing through the soil 

 about your trees : they are all well enough in their proper place. Nothing but 

 the hoe is required to keep down the weeds ; and an asparagus-fork, with prongs 

 not over three inches in length, should ever be used about your trees, so as to 



