254? Answers to Queries, and Queries. 



damage. From the soft and juicy nature of the bark of resinous trees, they 

 are less liable than hard wood to this contingency ; and I have found no 

 plant amongst the hard wood tribes show such symptoms more readily than 

 the ash. The oak and some others are more apt to throw out low lateral 

 shoots, which, in some degree, tends to restore circulation. 



It therefore appears agreeable to reason, and it is confirmed by expe- 

 rience, that cutting down all such plants as will bear cutting is the only 

 remedy in such cases ; and this brings me to that part of Mr. Thonville's 

 queries, " whether oak, ash, birch, beech, sycamore, elm, hazel, thorn, &c, 

 should be so treated." I would say, all of these may be cut down with 

 much advantage, with the exception of beech and birch, and none thrive 

 better under that operation than lime and Spanish chestnut. If Mr.Thon- 

 ville examines his beech plants, he will likely by this time find them getting 

 " bushy," unless they have been drawn up very weak in the nursery. Let 

 him order the thickest of the side shoots to be pruned off close by the tree, 

 in next February, taking care that a regular sprinkling of small shoots be 

 left all over the tree, and that no aspiring branch be allowed to compete 

 with the leading shoot ; and, next summer, he will likely observe sufficient 

 growth to prevent his wishing to cut them down. Birch may be treated in 

 the same manner; but, as this plant bleeds freely, I would prefer pruning it 

 early in October. 



By the month of October, the third year from planting, the roots will 

 have acquired sufficient range and strength to support a luxuriant growth ; 

 and at that period I would recommend to Mr. Thonville to have all his 

 other hard wood trees cut over to within an inch of the ground, taking care 

 that the operator places his foot firmly near the bole while cutting, that the 

 roots in the loose trenched soil may not be disturbed by the operation. I 

 prefer October for cutting down ; by this time the Lammas growth is 

 nearly expended, and new buds will form, and be found to break more vi- 

 gorously than if the operation were performed in the spring months. 



With regard to " repeating the operation," I consider it " too much of a 

 good thing." By a single operation, the bark and habits of the plant become 

 completely inured to their new situation ; yet, where a stunted growth may 

 render it necessary, or where curiosity may prompt the trial, I would re- 

 commend cutting the young shoot right above a bud, and within an inch of 

 the former cut, the first, or, at farthest, the second, year after the first ope- 

 ration. Some plants may push more than one shoot ; the strongest should 

 be encouraged, and all the others should be rubbed off in the month of June 

 the first year after cutting. I hope this will not form the only communi- 

 cation you will receive on the subject, and remain, Sir,&c. — Archibald Gor- 

 rie. Annat Garden, Sept. 25. 1827. 



Guarding single Trees in Parks. — What is the simplest, cheapest, and 

 most sightly mode of guarding single trees planted in parks or lawns from 

 the depredations of deer or other animals? — Answer. Thorn branches, tied 

 with hazel or willow shoots, and understocking the pastures. 



Heating Hot-houses with hot water seems coming into vogue. What is 

 your opinion of the mode ? What is the best shape of a boiler for that 

 purpose? — A Friend to Improvement. Sept. 21. 



We have little doubt of hot water superseding both steam and smoke 

 flues ; certainly steam. A wrought-iron box boiler we should think the 

 best ; but our correspondent may refer to Messrs. Bailey, 272. High Holborn, 

 who are now heating several hot-houses in this way. 



Iron Hot-houses. — I, in common with several friends, am anxious to 

 ascertain your opinion as to iron hot-houses, and whether you recommend 

 them indiscriminately, or only for particular purposes ; and also, whether 

 you recommend cast or wrought iron, and whether you approve of copper 

 sashes? — An Enquirer. Shrewsbury, Aug, 10. 1827. 



