On Pruning Fur est Trees. 3S9 
sible, they are then tied to the wires ; about a week before commencing 
to force, the soil is stirred up, and abundantly supplied with water which 
holds sheep manure in solution, this is likewise used all through the 
season. The house is kept at from 50 to 55 degrees, till the ttees begin 
to show signs of life ; when the heat is increased to 60 and 65 degrees, 
they are syringed and steamed every morning, by pouring water on the 
flue, till the first crop begins to ripen : plenty of air is admitted when the 
weather will permit. There are three trees in the house, one is the 
White Marseilles, the other two are called here the Polack Ischia ; very 
littleof the fruit drops off" when about full grown, which I think is ac- 
counted for, by keeping the house very moist. The soil which the trees 
are planted in is a mixture of loamy black earth, and a little small chalk, 
the sub-soil is a bed of natural chalk. 
There are a few trees grown here in pots, which are forced earlier than 
those in the house; there were ripe Figs gathered from them in March, last 
year; they are treated in the same manner as those in the house, only 
subject to a higher temperature, as they are trained on the back wall of an 
early vinery. 
I entirely concur with Monk, in saying the Fig tree, of all other fruit 
trees which we cultivate in our gardens, is the least understood; but to 
those who have acquired a knowledge of its habits, the most tractable. 
If you consider the above remarks of any service, for your valuable 
Register, you are welcome to do what you think proper with them. 
I am. Gentlemen, 
Yours, &c. 
Arundel Castle Gardens, William Deas. 
Dec. 13, 1831. 
Article II. — On Pruning, as connected with the hnprove- 
ment of Forest-Tree Plantations. (Second Paper.) By 
The Author of the Domestic Gardener's Ma- 
nual, a Corresponding Member of the Horticultural 
Society. 
Gentlemen, 
Those o^ your readers who have read with attention the 
first article on Forest trees, page 241, of your Register, must, I 
think, be startled on perusing the paper at page 2.52, "On Pruning 
Forest Plantations, by an Arhorist;" the)'- will be inclined to believe, 
that when writers totally differ in their opinions, as to the results of 
ene and the same operation, little reliance ought to be placed either 
