32 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL^ SOCIETY. 



should never be done before the first week in April. I have seen many 

 fatal results owing to pruning in mid-winter. 



Salix or Willows. — A few sorts of these will create a charming 

 effect in the winter months if grouped together and cut down to the 

 ground annually during the first week in March. VUellina and 

 cardinalis are two of the best for so treating. 



Symphoricarpus. — ^Though by many these are considered mere 

 weeds, they are not such if properly treated. The common racemosus 

 should be planted in beds by itself in the open and pruned to the 

 ground annually, then it will be found to fruit most freely and create 

 a pleasing effect in winter. The new variety, Symphoricarpus racemosus 

 var. laevigatus, for which we were awarded a First-class Certificate 

 in the past year, is a distinct and beautiful addition. Our plants at 

 Aldenham last season were most conspicuous, the branches being 

 completely weighed down with fruit. This should be pruned in early 

 spring. S. orhiculaius (or vulgaris) var. variegatus makes a charming 

 bed when planted alone. It should be lightly pruned annually, and 

 about every seven years cut down to the ground. 



Syringas, commonly called Lilacs, include not only a great 

 number of improved garden varieties at the present day, but there 

 are also many species. Unfortunately, the majority are worked 

 on the common S. vulgaris stock, and care is needed to prevent 

 the stock outgrowing and taking the place of the variety grafted 

 on it. - I am glad to know that some of our English nurser5niien 

 are now cultivating them on their own roots, a practice certainly 

 to be commended. The various varieties and species should be 

 pruned immediately after flowering, whicL will not only keep the 

 plants rigid and shapely, but will also induce them to break and make 

 flowering buds for the following year. 



The Tamarisks, or Tamarix, are well known by reason of their 

 delicate foUage and pretty pink heads of flowers, and give the best 

 results when pruned in spring to within two or three inches of the 

 base of the previous year's growth. By this method the plants are 

 kept dwarf and compact. They are amongst the few things that 

 succeed close to the sea. 



Ericas (Heaths). — ^The majority of these delightful small-flowering 

 subjects are easily kept within bounds by pruning the young growths 

 back immediately after flowering. 



Hardy Azaleas are too slow-growing to need much pruning, but 

 if by any chance the plants have become overcrowded and drawn, they 

 may be moderately pruned with success immediately the flowering 

 period is over. 



Rhododendrons require but httle pruning beyond that the stocks 

 on which the majority of the best varieties are worked should be 

 examined annually and all suckers carefully removed. The flower- 

 heads should always be picked off immediately the flowers are past 

 their best. Rhododendron ponticum, and its hybrid varieties which 

 are raised from seed, and which grow rampantly in many districts, 



