COMMONPLACE NOTES. 



667 



very picturesque, and I would not have them removed and burnt on any 

 account ; and, after all, the danger can only be very remote." In the case 

 of Oak-trees, we have heard it said that it is bad forestry to cut the dead 

 limbs out of the trees. But why ? We should like to know the reason 

 why Oak-trees, more than others, resent the dead wood being removed. 



In our opinion the cause of death or decay in so many comparatively 

 young trees, is in great part due to permitting so much dead wood to 

 remain. Not only is it worse than useless, for its beauty is at least open 

 to doubt, whereas its danger is absolutely certain, for it swarms with fungi 

 and with insect foes, which immediately enter a fresh tree whenever a 

 branch is broken or a limb cut off, and so the enemy goes on working 

 destruction without a check. Not only should dead trees be promptly cut 

 down and removed to the woodyard, but also all dead or dying limbs, 

 taking care, of course, to paint the wound over at once with a good coat 

 of tar, thus preventing any fungi entering. If left only for a day or two, 

 the enemy has very likely entered the tree, and it is then little good 

 painting the wound afterwards. If tree lovers would remember this and 

 act upon it, injury to our trees would be greatly reduced, and the beauty 

 of the countryside improved. 



The question of how to prune forest trees is not so well understood 

 everywhere as it ought to be. This is proved by seeing limbs sawn off 

 sometimes a foot or more from the trunk or main branches. The con- 

 sequence is that the portion left decays back into the tree itself, giving a 

 free entry to all foes, and also to wet, the certain parent of decay. On the 

 other hand, if the branch is cut off close to the trunk, and the edges of 

 the wound pared round with a sharp knife or with a chisel, and followed 

 up with a coating of tar at once, the tree quickly begins to cover the 

 wound with new bark, and in a few years it is quite covered up — that is, 

 of course, if the tree is healthy and in vigorous growth. 



Fig, " Boukjassotte Guise." 



This delicious Fig is also known as " Grizzly Bourjassotte," and out 

 of the large collection grown in the Society's gardens it is surpassed by 

 none, and equalled by very few ; in fact, as an all-round variety, we think 

 it is unrivalled. The tree is a good grower and sure bearer ; the fruit 

 is of medium size, of a rather oblate shape, with dark-red, juicy flesh, of 

 the richest flavour. Another great advantage of it is that the fruit is 

 not prone to split when ripening. If we were confined to one variety 

 only, and had our choice, this is unquestionably the one which we should 

 choose ; and as fresh Figs are growing rapidly in favour for dessert, this 

 sterling variety should be included in every collection, however small. 

 All the Figs at Chiswick are grown in pots, but, judging from its habit 

 in comparison with other and better known varieties, we have no doubt 

 that it would succeed equally well planted out under glass, or planted out 

 in the open, against a warm wall, in those localities where Figs are 

 wont to ripen fruit outdoors. 



LlME-TEEES AND THEIR " DRIP." 



A distinguished Fellow of the Society writes that he has been in- 

 formed most positively that the rain-drip from Lime-trees is very 



