June 4 , 1885, ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
469 
in transplanting; two years ago, and put them out in a south border fully 
exposed to the sun. I have a few clumps of the common White and the 
Orange Lily, which seem to grow and bloom well with the same treat¬ 
ment. I quite agree with “ A Thinker ” respecting the surface roots, I 
would sooner cut the stem off and give the bulb a rest than rub the roots 
off. I have often had to place the Lilies into larger pots to protect the 
surface roots. I am inclined to think the roots are caused by a close and 
moist atmosphere, as we seldom meet with many out of doors. Our 
plants of L. auratum are more promising than ever this year ; some of 
the stems are now 2 to 3 inches in circumference and 1 to 2 feet high. 
Scilla campanulata. —This bulb, I find, can be taken up from the 
border for pots, and then makes a good show. Some have over thirty flowers 
on a stem, and are about 12 to 18 inches high. Another one sent me, an 
early-flowering one (blue), with two leaves, broad, like Lily of the Valley, 
with flower stems 6 to 8 inches high, in bloom with the Snowdrops, which 
is probably Scilla bifolia. 
Deutzia gracilis.— This makes a useful plant if cut back the same as 
Raspberries after flowering, and a few of the strongest young growths 
encouraged and tied in the centre of the pots, well ripening the wood 
before forcing. I have seen some fine pyramidal plants from 2 to 3 feet 
high ; some of the sprays with thirty blooms on a stalk.—G. C., Warwick- 
shire. 
LAWN MOWINGS v. ONION MAGGOT. 
Having seen some reference to the above in the Journal, I send 
a note on a simple but good remedy to stop this troublesome pest, 
for it is most disheartening to gardeners to lose their crops, espe¬ 
cially where there is a large demand. In one garden of which I had 
charge I had a failure two seasons in succession, both with Carrots 
and Onions, and I was told by a labourer who had been on the estate 
for some years that he had never seen any good Onions grown in the 
garden ; but thanks to the Journal, I am pleased to say that the follow¬ 
ing season I had as good a bed of Onions as neighbouring gardeners. I 
had tried soot, lime, salt, and very strong liquid manure from the stables, 
but all to no avail, so as I saw the following simple remedy I resolved to 
try once more, and found it a good one. When the Onions are large 
enough to see them well the short grass from the lawn mowings is 
scattered thickly over the ground between the rows, and it is also good 
for Carrots as well. A gentleman who saw me doing this doubted its 
success, but was amazed when he saw the Onions harvested. The gar¬ 
dener who described it said he had tried the remedy for ten years without 
a failure, so it may perhaps benefit some who did not see the Journal at/ 
that time, as I think it our duty to help one another out of trouble if it 
lays in our power.—J. Gilbert, Merrow , near Guildford, Surrey. 
THE BO-TREE AT ANURADHAPURA. 
. s t° r i es about the original Bo-tree at Buddha Gaya can be believed, 
it is said to have been planted by Brahma himself. The Buddhists attribute 
it to Dutugemunu, King of Ceylon. One account of the transfer of the 
branch to Ceylon is as follows :—“ At the time on which Dewenipiyatissa 
reigned in Colombo (b.c. 306) one of the four branches of the original tree 
in Dambadiwa is said to have been surrounded by a yellow line, when it was 
commanded by a son of the King, who had become a rahat, to depart to this 
island. Then, in an instant, as if cut by instrument, it came through the 
sky and was planted at Anuradhapura. Many of the Sinhalese go on 
pilgrimage to the place and think that the very tree produced from the 
miraculous branch is still alive, and that the other Bo-trees in the island 
are derived from this source.” Here is another account : “ Shortly after the 
building of tho Thuparama dagoba had commenced, some of the King’s 
female relations expressed a wish to become nuns. Mahinda accordingly 
sent for his sister, Sanghamitta, who had entered the order at the same time 
with himself. Taking leave of her father, she brought over with her a band 
°f mips and instructed the new disciples in the precepts of Buddhism, their 
principal occupation being the hearing and repeating of the sacred books. 
Sanghamitta also brought over with her a branch of the sacred Bo-tree, the 
tree then growing at Buddha Gaya on the site of the present temple, and 
then believed, not perhaps without reason, to be the very tree under which 
Gautama had experienced that mental conflict which is called his attain¬ 
ment of Buddhahood. 
“ That precious memorial of their revered teacher was planted at Anurad¬ 
hapura, a little to the south of the Ruwanwella dagoba, and, strange as it 
may seem, there it still grows. The tree could scarcely have lived so long 
had it not been for the constant care of the monks. As it showed signs of 
decay, terraces were built up around it, so that it now grows more than 
20 feet into the surrounding soil; for the tree being of the Fig genus (Ficus 
religiosa) its living branches could then throw out fresh roots. Where its 
long arms spread beyond the enclosure, rude pillars of iron or masonry have 
been used to prop them up, and it is can fully watered in seasons of drought. 
The whole aspect of the tree and its enclosure bears evident signs of extreme 
age.; but we could not be sure of its identity were it not for the complete 
chain of documentary evidences which has been so well brought together 
by Sir Emerson Tennent.” According to Tennent, “ The Bo-tree of 
Anuradhapura is, in all probability, the oldest historical tree in the world. 
It was planted before Christ, and indet d is now (or rather was when Tennent 
wrote his book) 2147 years old. Ages, varying from one to four thousand 
years, have been assigned to the Baobabs of Senegal, the Eucalyptus of 
Tasmania, the Dagon-tree of Oratava, the Wellingtonia of California, and the 
Chestnut of Mount Etna. But all these estimates, however ingenious, must be 
inferential, whereas this age of the Bo-tree is a matter of record. Its con¬ 
servancy has been an objectof solicitude to successive dynasties, and the story 
of its vicissitudes has been preserved in a series of continuous chronicles 
amongst the most authentic that have been handed down by mankind. Com¬ 
pared with it, the Oak of EllersKe is hut a sapling, and the Conqueror’s Oak in 
Windsor Forest barely number half it syears. The Yew trees of Fountains 
Abbey are believed to have flourished there 1200 years ago; the Olives in 
the garden of Gethsemane were full grown when the Saracens were expelled 
from Jerusalem, and the Cypress of Sorna in Lombardy is said to have been 
a tree in the time of Julius Caesar ; yet the Bo-tree is older than the oldest 
of these by a century, and would seem to verify the prophecy pronounced 
that it will flourish and be green for ever .”—(Ceylon Pajier.) 
HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. 
Young Trees .—The growth of young trees is now sufficiently advanced 
to render close attention to stopping and training necessary, and it is only 
when a tree is young and the growth pliant that a correct elegant outline 
can be imparled to it. Very curious are the different conceptions of what 
a pyramidal or conical form really is. Some are kept by severe pinching 
or pruning to a mere column of the same diameter at top as it is at bottom. 
Others may be seen of an irregular rotund outline, but without any 
approach to the tapering form of a tine cone. To have a pyramid of 
really good form the lower tiers of branches must have at least two years’ 
start of the upper one 3 . The growth will then be sufficiently well 
balanced for the lower branches to be healthy, vigorou 3 , and fruitful. 
Stopping and training must, therefore now be in full activity. We must 
not red content with simply training the stem to a stake, but the branches 
must also be trained if they require it, and be drawn outwards sufficiently 
for symmetry and for a free admission of air and light to the stem. In 
due time they become stout and rigid, and then the work of the trainer is 
accomplished. Our remarks about pyramids apply to all other young 
trees of every form. Balance of growth must be maintained to secure a 
just distribution of vigour. Take for example the palmette verrier among 
wall trees and espaliers. It is claimed for this form that the lower 
branches have as brisk and vigorous sap action as the upper ones, but it 
could not be so if we did not take especial care that they should have the 
requisite start of a year or two in advance of the upper branches. 
Encourage a free, vigorous, and unchecked growth in young Peach and 
Nectarine trees. We have frequently had main branches with laterals 
well set with triple buds—all the growth of one season, and the fruit in 
the following year has been very fine. The means necessary to promote 
so desirable an end are well drained fertile soil, mulching, watering, and 
above all things clean healthy foliage,. Never suffer blight or insects to 
spread far among the foliage. A healthy tree planted aright only requires 
plenty of clean water upon both sides of the foliage, generally by using 
an ordinary syringe, or in ex'reme cases by sponging. Care and pains 
are requisite to force the water well beneath the foliage ; but it can be 
done, and if done in time there need be no loss of foliage from the ravages 
of red spider. 
Lateral Growth. —Peas, Plums, Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots 
now have the fruit swelling so fast that disbudding and pinching may 
proceed forthwith. We like to do this in twice rather than stopping or 
disbudding every shoot at once, taking the forward and most prominent 
growth the first time, and leaving the more backward growth for a week 
or more according to the weather. All leading and side growth left upon 
the trees is made fast as it becomes long enough, especial care being 
taken that no shred or string is bound tightly about young swelling 
growth. 
Fruit-thinning .—The thinning of Apricots is finished, Peaches and 
Nectarines are being done ; they have set so thickly that there is some 
risk of too many being left upon the trees. Our plan is to thin moderately 
at first, and to go over the trees two or ihree times subsequently—the last 
time being after the stoning. Many sorts of Pears are ready for thinning, 
but not all, as we hoped the crop is a heavy one even upon sorts which 
we regard as shy bearers; and it will be such a favourable year fora 
Pear Congress that we venture to express a hope tint a great show of this 
popular fruit will be held in the autumD. Apple blossom is so backward 
that the crop generally may be considered safe, and the trees are so 
thickly covered with blossom that the crop must be an abundant one. 
Bush Fruit .—Do not use hellebore powder to destroy Gooseberry 
caterpillars ; it is a deadly poison, which we regard as a dangerous thing 
to use in this way. Hand-picking will soon get rid of the pests, and the 
fruit can be used at once without risk. Thin out Raspberry suckers, 
retaining only enough for next year’s crop. Red and White Currants 
may have the side shoots pinched as it becomes long enough, the leading 
growth being left untouched to promote a brisk circulation of sap. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Peaches and Nectarines. —Earliest House .—The trees from which 
full crops of fruit are gathered through the latter part of May onward 
require careful management to keep them in health and vigour for a 
number of years, as Peaches and Nectarines that are forced through the 
winter months have to mature their growth and rest through the latter 
part of the summer. To avoid getting the wood over-ripe it will be neces¬ 
sary to keep the house as cool as possible after the fruit is gathered by 
ventilating to the fullest extent, exposing the trees in showery weather, and 
removing the roof-lights when the wood is ripe and the buds are formed. 
