303 THE FLORIST AND 



healthy state of those planted in more favorable soil, which accidentally hap^ 

 pened in grading the surface to that exact level insisted upon by many in 

 their garden improvements. 



Carelessness in planting is also productive of future annoyance ; the tree 

 should be planted so that the stock may be just covered with the soiL If 

 planted higher, the quince will in some cases get hide bound, and not swell 

 sufficient for the graft. It also prevents the borer from committing his ra- 

 vages upon the stock, which would otherwise most likely occur. We do not 

 advise deep planting in any case, but the quince throws out roots so readily 

 that little fear need be entertained of not having plenty of fibres near the 

 surface. Indeed, the facility with which it roots is a very forcible point in 

 favor of the quince over any other stock that can be employed. 



But the greatest general cause of failure arises from bad cultivation. In 

 the first place, there should be no stagnated water in the soil; then it should 

 be trenched and loosened before planting, and the trees receive an annua' 

 top dressing of manure in the fall, to be forked in about the trees in spring, 

 the soil kept constantly loose and friable by breaking up the surface crust 

 after heavy rains. An application of charcoal dust has been found useful on 

 poils of a clayey nature, preserving them from consolidation and increasing 

 their absorbent capabilities. Attention to these points, in conjunction with 

 proper pruning and pinching will leave no cause for complaint in this method 

 of pear cultivation. , 



Pruning. — This operation, it is gratifying to observe, is becoming more 

 generally understood than formerly. Much has been and will be said and 

 written upon the subject ; the general principle may be summed up in a few 

 words. A puny, weak growing tree should be encouraged by every availa- 

 ble means during its growth ; not a leaf removed, if possible, until they cease 

 to perform their functions in the fall; then prune it closely down, this will 

 induce a vigorous growth the following season. On the other hand, a thrifty, 

 strong growing tree should be pruned in summer, and the growth so reduced 

 as to admit of little or no removal of wood in winter. The effects and phy- 

 siological reasons for these practices having been dwelt upon at some length 

 in previous calendars, it is deemed unnecessary to make further allusion to 

 the subject at present. 



Strawberries, in pots, will require to be set widely apart, in a situation 

 fully exposed to the sun, in order to mature their fruit buds. Towards the 

 end of the month provision should be made for keeping them dry, either by 

 placing them in a glass protected frame, or by piling them on their sides in 

 ridge form. The latter method is simple and efficient. The pots are laid 

 on their sides commencing with two rows about thirty inches apart, laying 

 them bottom inwards ; the intermediate space is then filled up with leaves or 

 ton, a second layer of pots is then placed on top in the same manner, keep- 



