AUGUST. 



117 



that you have paid for your education. I have paid for mine, and I have a 

 deal to learn and unlearn. 



I regret to say that notwithstanding a nohle first bloom here on own roots, 

 and on the Cinnamon, Manetti, and Briar Stocks, the plants generally, from 

 high winds, long- continued rains, and sunless skies, do not look healthy. A 

 squeezing winter will settle the fate of a good many, especially if the transition 

 from summer (Heugh !) to winter be " sudden." One hundred well-rooted 

 Briars (for budding) died last winter, and many have died this summer. 

 Nothing can effectually save our roseries from fresh demolition but a gracious 

 and speedy importation of the rays of that glorious luminary which is the 

 re-agent of Nature and the quick ener of the world. 



Rushion. W. F. Radclyffe. 



WHAT IS TO BECOME OF OUR FRUIT TREES? 



A ticklish question, considering that many had not overcome the visi- 

 tation of I860 ; and as 1862 appears so far to partake of the general character 

 of that memorable year, the gravest fears may be entertained as to the results, 

 and it almost appears hopeless contesting the case against such odds. That 

 the climate of late years has been unfavourable to fruits is beyond doubt ; and 

 were it not for the great aid afforded by glass coverings, the growth of fruit 

 trees would have been seriously checked. But my principal object in address- 

 ing you is to ascertain from your readers what difference they find in regard to 

 aspect. The Peaches on my south walls suffered very much, but those on the 

 direct east walls less so. The same by Apricots. How is this ? Some years 

 ago, thinking my Peach trees on one south wall were exposed too much to the 

 sweeping winds, I removed them to one more fully protected, and here they 

 are no better ; and in fact, in a much worse state than those on the east 

 wall, where the sun leaves them by eleven in the forenoon. Perhaps some of 

 your readers may have similar facts to record, and by comparison something- 

 might be known of the reasons, as south walls are and have been considered 

 as the only aspects on which the Peach and Nectarine would grow. At any 

 rate, the assistance of yourself and readers is requested for our guidance in 

 future planting. Peach. 



EARLY SUMMER FLOWERS, AND WILD PLANTING. 



I BELIEVE it is due to Mr. Fleming, at Cleveden, for having organised the 

 best spring garden in the country — that is to say, from March to May ; for 

 I hear (not having seen the place myself), that in May the spring-flowering 

 plants are removed to make way for the usual class of summer plants. Bail- 

 roads are now effecting great changes in the management of country residences ; 

 and places, which in the old posting times were never visited until the London 

 season had closed, are now regularly kept open for a run down every Saturday. 

 This change will necessitate a supply of spring fiowei*s regularly kept up, and a 

 good deal of alteration in the arrangement of those places which hitherto 

 had been content with an autumn display alone. I am rather pleased that 

 'such will be the case, for it will help to improve the features of country resi- 

 dences during the finest part of the year, and contribute greatly to bring into 

 notice a number of plants one hardly ever sees planted in sufficiently large 

 quantities. I may particularise a few byway of directing the attention of your 

 readers to the subject. First, for I will begin with shrubs. I would plant bushes 

 (not standard trees) of every variety of Crataegus. Of these all the scarlet 



