132 GARDENING DIFFICULTIES SOLVED 



it would be rather unwise to uproot them all on account of the big 

 bud. A better plan is to cut them all hard back now (April). Cut 

 each infested shoot down to within a few inches of the ground, and 

 remove by hand any suspiciously large buds as they appear. After 

 this hard pruning, which at this season will mean the loss of a year's 

 crop, dust the bushes with a mixture of lime and sulphur, and repeat 

 the application after an interval of two weeks. Next spring dust 

 again with lime and sulphur, using 1 part unslaked lime to 2 parts 

 flowers of sulphur. Thoroughly dust the bushes over when they are 

 wet, and continue to do so every few weeks until the middle of May. 

 After pruning carefully collect all the prunings and burn them. 

 Yes ; it is quite likely that the old bushes will be affected since the 

 disease is now present in your garden. As a preventive dust the 

 bushes over with the lime and sulphur mixture and pick off any buds 

 unduly swollen. If you intend to propagate new plants from cut- 

 tings be sure to do so from a clean stock. 



Gathering and Storing Filberts 



Q. Please say how Filbert Nuts should be stored.^. W. W., 

 Kent. 



A. The Nuts should be obtained on a fine dry day, not separating 

 them from the husks. We have found it a good plan to lay them 

 out on mats and sacks for a few days ; they are then readily picked 

 up and carried to shelter at night or should rain set in. Afterwards, 

 they may be stored in jars or boxes, or be spread out evenly and 

 thinly upon the floor of a cool, dry shed. 



Keeping Medlars 



Q. Will you tell me the best way to keep and ripen Medlars 1 

 J. Astridge, Hants. 



A. Gather the fruits before they are frozen on the trees, and 

 store them on shelves in a cool, airy room where they will soften and 

 become fit for use. You only need guard against damp and decay of 

 the fruits. 



Replanting Raspberries 



Q. I have a large stock of canes which have been allowed to run 

 riot. They have grown over 8 feet high, and though there is every 

 indication of a good supply of fruit we have not been able to get a 

 handful from the complete row of over 80 feet run. I thought of 

 transplanting them this year to a new situation and of making them 



