Transactions of the Horticultural Society. 173 



rhubarb, before it is put into a tart, both destroys the colour 

 and deteriorates the flavour." 



Apples have been preserved in hods in the earth, in the 

 manner of potatoes, as described by our correspondent Mr. 

 Donald, at Betley Hall in Staffordshire. The gardener's 

 name is not mentioned, probably because the communication 

 was sent by his mastei\ 



"Some apples, which had been thus treated, were sent to 

 the Society on the 1 4th of February, in as fresh a state as if 

 newly gathered from the tree. This plan of preserving apples 

 must be very useful to cottagers and others who have not the 

 advantage of a fruit-room for the protection of the produce 

 of their gardens and orchards during winter. The apples 

 should be of hardy and keeping sorts, and not more than 

 four or five bushels should be put into one hod. It is 

 requisite to place straw at the bottom and sides, and also to 

 cover the top of the heap of apples with straw, so as entirely to 

 separate them from the earth ; this is not always done with 

 potatoes." 



Strawberries are grown at East Looe in Cornwall in beds in 

 the following manner: — 'The runners are allowed to cover the 

 beds with plants as thick as they can stand. In autumn the 

 beds are covered with earth from the alleys or elsewhere to 

 the depth of two or three inches. " In the spring, the whole 

 shoot through the covering with vigour, producing very strong 

 foliage, and in due season abundance of large and finely 

 flavoured fruit. Before this practice was adopted, very little 

 fruit was obtained. The soil is light, and the beds are oc- 

 casionally watered when the plants are in blossom. The 

 leaves, being abundant, hide the beds and fruit from the sun, 

 and prevent evaporation and the growth of weeds. The fruit 

 stalks grow eight or ten inches in height, and as the berries 

 at their extremities increase in size and weight, the stalks fall 

 under the leaves, and are consequently protected from showers 

 beating the earth on them, which is often the case when plants 

 stand in single rows. The first year of this plan is less pro- 

 ductive than succeeding ones ; the Wood and Alpine Straw- 

 berries do not however succeed under such treatment," 



Wicker Protectors for tender trees and shrubs in winter, and 

 newly removed plants in summer, were exhibited by W. Wal- 

 cot, Esq. " They are are made of ozier-work of the coarsest 

 description, and, in figure, are accommodated to the plant for 

 which they are destined ; or if small, and not prepared with 

 any specific object, of a hemispherical or conical form. 

 They are either made entire, or in two halves which are 



