00 
THE ELOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
would be both useful and ornamental, as, for example, the Siberian 
Crab, which is one of the most beautiful of trees, and its pretty 
fruit makes a good preserve. All the varieties of Nuts are hand- 
some, and make nice lovers’ walks. For particular positions the 
Purple-leaved Filbert is well adapted, the leafage being of a rich 
bronzy-green colour, and the nuts of excellent quality. Those who 
wish for ornamental trees that will contribute to the comfort of the 
household may easily find them, and we are quite sure no one will 
dispute the proposition that decorative horticulture might derive 
considerable aid from the trees and shrubs that belong technically 
to the fruit garden.’ 
“ The closing chapter is headed, ‘ Reminders of Monthly Work.’ 
The twelve articles are as they should be, short, and are interspersed 
with seasonable hints. We recommend the book as one from which 
amateurs and even professional gardeners may derive reliable 
information, which is the more acceptable as it is conveyed in an 
entertaining manner.” 
NOTES FOR AMATEURS. 
W to Prune Fruit Trees. — With regard to pruning 
pears and apples, to ensure bloom-buds and to check too 
luxuriant growth every side-shoot, or at least all that are 
not required to be left to increase the size of the tree, 
should be shortened to about six or eight inches, begin- 
ning about the end of July and at the top of the tree (this is import- 
ant), taking off about one-third the w ay down ; then in about five 
or six days prune the second part, which is the middle of the tree, 
and finally the third or lower part of the tree in five or six days 
after the second pruning, and in the winter a final pruning of all 
these shoots to the fruit buds. 
How to Prevent Dumpiness in Hyacinth Spikes. — Long 
before they bloom you will have to note how the flower-stem pushes, 
for it is a common defect of even good hyacinths, and especially 
those first forced, to come dumpy, the bloom close to the crown, so 
that the leaves overtop the blossom as if the latter were ashamed 
of itself. This is easily prevented, though some plants refuse im- 
provement. Make a number of funnels of stout brown paper, or 
even common newspaper, each funnel to be from six to nine inches 
long, and sufficiently wide to include the bulb and a portion of the 
soil, or, if in glasses, to fit outside the upper rim of the glass. The 
funnels are to be shaped like those in which grocers put sugar, but 
instead of the narrow end being brought to a point, it must be left 
open to the extent of half an inch or so. If made grocer-fashion, 
they may be pasted up, and when dry cut at each end to fit neatly 
and admit light only at the top. This will seldom fail to coax the 
flower-stem upwards. As soon as the flower-stem is long enough, 
remove the funnel. For the early-forced flowers, this plan is essen- 
tial to the perfect development of the flower.” — Hilberd's Garden 
Favourites. 
