CHERRIES AND PLUMS IN POTS. 
115 
up to the rim. The surface is at the same level round the trunk as before. 
Thorough repotting need only be done alternate years. In intermediate 
years the outer soil can be removed nearly down to the bottom of the 
pot and replaced by fresh without taking out the tree. A good drainage, 
very necessary with Cherries, is provided for by a layer of crocks at the 
bottom of the pot. In repotting the tree must not be moved into too 
large a pot: an 11-inch pot is ample for a three-year-old tree, which 
may be given one size larger at each repotting if necessary ; an 18-inch 
pot will contain the largest tree. When this operation is finished 
the trees are stood as close together as possible, in single rows in the 
house, in one end of which is heaped sufficient Barley straw to pack 
round and over the pots, making a layer of about a foot deep, when there 
is severe frost, and the trees are snug for ihe winter. Water must be 
given until the leaves are all fallen. From about the middle of November 
to the end of December the trees will require none at all. If January 
be mild they should have some water again, and from then onwards 
occasionally when necessary. Towards the end of February they must 
be pruned — an operation rendered quite unnecessary in some cases, where 
the older trees in full bearing make no new shoots. The last year's growths 
must be cut back to about five eyes ; with very strong shoots, or, in the 
case of strong growers, eight to ten eyes may be left. Water will now 
be wanted about once a week. The pruning finished, the house should be 
set out, i.e. the trees placed in their permanent positions for the summer ; 
and this should be done symmetrically and carefully, as it makes all the 
difference in the appearance of the house. A centre border, 5^ feet wide, 
takes two rows of trees ; a path 3 feet wide runs round it, leaving side 
borders 5 J feet wide. The floor of the house is firm and solid, never being 
stirred, and the path is rammed gravel and clay. A thin layer of fine 
cinders over the surface of the borders gives them a neat appearance and 
is kept raked and clean. The pots may be plunged in the borders up 
to about three inches of their rims, a bed of large cinders being placed 
in the bottom of each hole to allow the water to drain efficiently. The 
trees should be grouped with regard to the colour of their fruit. A good 
smoking with tobacco paper now will lessen the number of aphides here- 
after, the trees being syringed thoroughly the next morning. About the 
middle of March the trees are a mass of white blossom, and are wonder- 
fully beautiful : this gives place to dinginess for a time when the blooms 
are dead. The calyx remains round the swelling fruit for a long time and 
must be removed, as also the scales at the base of the fruit stalks, which, 
although they fall off eventually, persist until the fruit is nearly developed, 
if suffered to do so, and harbour insects &c. The thinning of the fruits 
should be done when stoning is finished, and all those fruits which are 
not going to swell can be detected. Ample room must be allowed to each 
berry, so that the fruits shall not be overcrowded when ripe. The bunches 
will have ultimately from six to sixteen or twenty fruits. During flower- 
ing all the ventilation possible must be given except when there are 
cutting winds ; a single hot-water pipe running round the house will keep 
out the frost if necessary. Water will not be required in large 
quantity, sufficient being given to prevent the earth from becoming over- 
dry. When the foliage is coming out, and from then onward, water must 
