Memoirs of the Caledonian Horticultural Society. 195 



size as that of the pole-saw, and a gripe or handle, which 

 3hould be such as to bring the forefinger and the thumb of 

 the right hand nearly in a line with the teeth of the blade. 



The sole advantage of these saws consists in their operating 

 by pulling instead of by thrusting. As they have stiffness 

 enough to carry them through the wood when not cutting, 

 there can be no possibility of bending or breaking them 

 during the pulling and cutting. 



37. On the Utility of gathering unripe Tomatoes, and maturing 

 them on Shelves in Hot-houses. By Mr. Wm. M'Murtrie, Gar- 

 dener to Lord Anson, Shugborough Gardens. Read April 5. 



1827. 



The tomato ripens with difficulty on the open walls in 

 Staffordshire. About the 20th of October, Mr. M'Murtrie 

 cuts all the fruit that may have ripened and the best-swelled 

 green fruit. The latter he places in a stove or hot-house, and 

 in three weeks or a month they ripen as well, acquire as fine 

 a colour, and are as good in every respect, as if they had come 

 to maturity out of doors. Another gathering, to be treated 

 in the same manner, was made about the end of October. 

 Those who have not a hot-house may hang them up in a 

 warm kitchen. The consumption at Shugborough is about 

 two bushels a year, which are produced by about 80 plants. 



38. On budding the Peach upon the Apricot. By Mr. W. M'Mur- 



trie. Read April 5. 1827. 



In 1824, Mr. M'Murtrie inserted a quantity of peach-tree 

 buds in the branches of Moor Park apricots, which made 

 fine healthy wood, and in 1826 produced fruit far superior to 

 that on the peach trees. Mr. M'Murtrie is not prepared to 

 say from what cause, but merely speaks as to the fact. In a 

 postscript, dated April, 1828, he states that his expectations 

 were fully realised by crop 1827. " The fruit was larger 

 and finer than that on the peach trees ; which confirms me 

 in the opinion that the practice will be of utility." 



39. Hints and Notices connected with Horticulture. By John 



Murray, Esq. F.L.S. &c. Read June 7. 1821. 



Uniformity of Insular Climate. " The ocean preserves 

 a uniform temperature unknown to inland countries ; and 

 the difference in its waters, between the summer and brumal 

 months, will not exceed 3° or 4° Fahrenheit. Small islands 

 will especially participate in this uniformity ; for the air in- 

 cumbent on the bosom of the great deep will receive the 

 impress of its temperature from that on which it constantly 



o 2 



