FRUIT-TREES IN POTS. 



253 



work. And first let me say that, except special mention of 

 any difference is made, we treat Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, and 

 Pears alike. Of Apricots I have only the record of utter failure 

 to make. 



The year's work begins with the preparation of the compost 

 in September. It is composed of the following ingredients, 

 of coarse thoroughly well mixed together, and allowed to lie a 

 month afterwards before using, under cover from heavy rain, 

 but otherwise the more open to the air the better : — 



5 barrow-loads of fat yellow loam. 



1 ,, „ leaf soil. 



1 „ ,, well-rotted but not worn-out dung. 



1 „ drift sand. 



1 ,, „ old mortar rubbish. 



1 bushel of J;-inch bones. 



2 gallons of bone meal. 



1 ,, Clay's Fertiliser. 

 1 ,, Thomson's Vine Manure. 

 Some will think the use of so many ingredients fanciful, but as 

 I am writing history I must e'en relate the fads and fancies of 

 our annual practice. 



Every tree is repotted in this compost every year. 



Towards the middle or end of October we start potting. The 

 trees are not watered for two or three days previously, so that the 

 old soil may come away from the roots more easily. A strip of 

 board is placed across a barrow ; a tree is lifted out of its pot ; the 

 "crocks " are loosened with the hand and fall back into the old 

 pot, and both crocks and pot are carried off by a boy to be washed ; 

 the ball of soil matted with the roots is then lifted on to the board ; 

 the operator stands between the handles of the barrow with the 

 head of the tree turned from him, which thus has free room, 

 and the bloom-buds are in less danger of being thinned. The 

 gardener holds the stem of the tree in his left hand, and with 

 his right works a short pointed stick in and out amongst the 

 roots, loosening the soil as much as possible and giving an 

 occasional shake. The old soil falls into the barrow, and, as it is 

 still far from exhausted, is kept for various purposes, such as 

 repotting evergreen shrubs for the winter-garden, &c, &c. The 

 pointed stick should be worked carefully, so that not a single root 

 fee broken, or even bruised if possible. When all the soil that 



