26 THE FLORIST, AND 



know a raiser of this fruit who annually secures good crops, and is 

 seldom troubled with a visit from this insect enemy. The only 

 precautionary measure he adopts is a frequent stirring of the sur- 

 face soil round his trees during winter, forking it over occasionally 

 that the frost may kill the larvae, slightly sprinkling the ground 

 with salt after each operation. The remedy is easily applied and 

 worthy of trial. 



Grapes, out of doors. — Towards the end of this month and be- 

 ginning of next, is the favorite time, with many, for pruning their 

 grape vines, although November is decidedly preferable for reasons 

 stated in a former number. Every one has his own way of doing 

 this : some prefer the close spurring system, others the renewal 

 mode, more a combination of both, and a large majority cut away 

 in the no-system style. The long cane or renewal system we con- 

 sider best for native grapes, if not for foreign sorts also. The spur- 

 ring method is the most simple, but not the most scientific. To 

 carry it out fully and profitably , the plants must be maintained in 

 a high state of cultivation, and even then will be short lived. A 

 somewhat rigorous summer stopping is constantly necessary, which 

 tends to impair and weaken the vital energies of the plant. Young 

 canes should be trained in annually to take the place of older ones 

 which are to be' cut out. These young rods produce better fruit 

 and keep the plant in an active, healthy, root-making condition, 

 and by judicious management during growth, the crop can receive 

 all the benefit desirable from close stopping, without checking the 

 extension and increase of roots. The young, vigorous unpruned 

 shoots will maintain a proper balance between root and foliage. 



s. B. 



In order to arrange the business of the "Florist" properly, the 

 last Nos. appeared in rapid succession. The readers will therefore 

 remember, that the last calendar was intended for the present 

 month. But as it is probable that the new arrangements of the 

 Florist may prevent its usual punctual appearance on the first of the 

 month, and that to the many new subscribers to the new series, the 

 last calendar will not be available, I make a few further remarks 

 for January, intending them to be applicable to a portion of the 

 month of Februarv also. 



