HORTICULTURAL JOURNAL. 117 



The spur system of pruning is advocated and practiced by many at the 

 present time. This may arise from its simplicity, certainly not from any 

 physiological superiority it possesses. According to this method, a single 

 shoot is encouraged until it reaches the desired length, the bearing shoots 

 proceeding at intervals in its length, these shoots being annually pruned 

 down to one eye or bud from which the shoot bearing the future crop pro- 

 ceeds. During growth the points of these shoots are pinched out at one or 

 two leaves beyond the fruit, and all future efforts at growth are w T atchfully 

 removed. This is done in order to concentrate the sap and fill up the lower 

 eyes, with a view also of benefitting the present crops ; for the same reason 

 the leading shoot is likewise prevented from extending. The whole system 

 involves acontinuil suppression of growth, and as a natural consequence the 

 roots are also checked, they cease to extend, become more woody at the ex- 

 tremities and lose their power of absorption. A young plant strongly esta- 

 blished in a well prepared border, will continue in health and productiveness 

 for several years under this treatment, but they are gradually weakened and 

 fail to burst into growth with that vigor which they did in their early days. 

 We think this statement will be endorsed by all experienced grape growers 

 who have practised the system. 



Strawberries. — In preparing ground for a plantation, deep working and 

 manuring is the first consideration; no plant repays extra care more certainly 

 than the Strawberry, and perhaps there is none les satisfactory under poor 

 treatment. It has proved that the finest Pine Strawberries of Europe can 

 be raised in equal perfection in this climate, if properly cultivated ; deep rich 

 soil, and mulching in dry weather is all that is required. Notwithstanding 

 that much has been said about their sexual character, many good cultivators 

 pay no attention to the matter. The young plants will strike root readily at 

 this season, and if the soil is stirred frequently and mulched when dry wea- 

 ther comes on, they will establish themselves well, and produce a heavy crop 

 the following season. 



Pears — Those grafted on the quince require a deep, rich soil to attain 

 their greatest perfection. There is no more pleasing occupation for the ama- 

 teur in fruits than attending to a collection of dwarf Pear trees. Having in 

 his eye the symmetrical proportions of a pyramidal-formed tree clothed with 

 foliage from the ground upwards, he will now be bending down strong shoots 

 and elevating weak ones, to equalize their conditions ; and as growth ad- 

 vances those shoots likely to take a lead and disarrange the equality of 

 growth, will have their extremities pinched out. S. B. 



Flower Garden. — In our Monthly chats w T ith the readers of the Florist, it 



