April 2, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
27S 
can be used without heatinf^, aud is easily applied ; but in exposed 
places cover with damp moss to prevent the wounds drying too much 
before a union takes place. For smaller stocks where the stock and 
scion are nearly equal in size cither saddle or whip grafting is a better 
system than the above. In saddle grafting the stock is cxrt wedge 
shaped, and the scion cut to fit it as nearly as possible—in short, the 
scion sits on the stock as a man would on a saddle. It is then tied and 
clayed or waxed over, as in rind grafting. In whip grafting the stock 
is cut off, sloping at the top as in pruning ; a slice is then taken off 
the side from 1 to 2 inches in length, removing just enough bark to 
make a flat surface, but not cutting into the pith ; then insert the knife 
across this smooth surface near the lower edge of the cut where the 
remainder of the stock was taken off, giving the knife a downward 
direction, cutting about half way through, and opening the crack a little 
before the knife is drawn out. Cut the scion with a smooth face in the 
same way, and a tongue to fit into the transverse cut on the face of the 
stock, and the whole is then to be bound together and clayed over as in 
the other methods. 
Whichever plan is employed bear three things in mind. First, the 
sap of the stock must be flowing freely, and the scion employed must be 
in a more dormant state. Secondly, the inner bark of the stock and 
scion must touch each other at least on one side. Thirdly, air must 
be excluded from the wounds, and they must be kept from drying 
influences. Success is then almost a certainty. 
AJfcr Treatment. —Some of the smaller branches may be left on the 
trees to draw up the sap until the grafts are growing freely, when 
they can gradually be reduced in number, and eventually cleared off 
altogether. If very dry weather comes on the clay will require dressing 
by rubbing a little water on to it to stop the cracks and prevent air 
from penetrating. If much difiiculty is experienced in this way it is 
well to tie a handful of moss over the clay and damp it occasionally. 
Morkllo Cherries. —Pruning and nailing these should now be 
finished as soon as po.ssible. In many instances the trees will be much 
too thick, and require a good thinning. Bear in mind that this fruit 
bears on the wood of the previous year’s growth, and enough of this 
must be left to ensrrre a good crop, taking orrt all weak branches and 
old wood that can be spared, always leaving plenty of yorrng wood near 
the centre of the trees. 
Barrexness. —In some soils where lime is almost absent the Cherry 
drops its fruit at stoning time, and fails to perfect a good crop. This is 
more noticeable with the Bigarreau class than with Morellos, and the 
latter will sometimes thrive where the former altogether refirse to fruit. 
In such cases a good supply of lime or old mortar rubbish should be 
forked into the soil among the roots as soon as nailing is finished ; and 
if 1 lb. fine ground bones can be given to the square yard it will assist 
them considerably. We have improved matters very much in such 
cases by removing the top soil as far dowm as the roots, substituting 
fresh calcareous loam, which need not be turfy, although this will do no 
harm if the grass roots are dead. 
Figs. —In co’d districts rvhere these have to be protected from frost 
remove the material, and train the shoots into their proper position. 
Figs on waPs require more room between the young shoots than any 
other fnrit trees. The young growths should never be less than 0 inches 
apart. Do not shorten any of the shoots unless there is a danger of the 
tree becoming bare in any part, as the fruit is always borne near the 
point of last year’s growth. All young wood may, therefore, be nailed 
in at full length if there is room, and bare branches cut back as far as 
possible. Any small Figs remaining of last year’s second crop should 
be rubbed off, as most of them eventually fall off; and if any remain 
and ripen they never form such good fruit as those of the current year. 
Where the climate is warm enough Figs bear best if allowed to extend 
their shoots, bush-shaped, above the top of the wall, and grow on from 
year to year. The wood made under full exposure in this manner is 
shorter jointed and much more fruitful. But this plan is only recom¬ 
mended in extreme cases, as the appearance of it in many places would 
be altogether against its adoption. We have found that shy variety, 
Brunswick, fruit freely in this way, when better looking plants have 
failed. Brown Turkey and White Marseilles are two of the best and 
most reliable varieties. Brunswick is much larger, and is also of 
excellent quality in a good warm sea.son. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Peaches and Nectarines. — Earliest Forced Trees. —The trees 
must not be hurried during the stoning process, but continue the 
temperature at 70° to 75° by day with sun heat, and about 65° in dull 
weather, avoiding sudden fluctuations. Tie the shoots to the trellis as 
they advance, and regulate the growths for future bearing so as not to 
have them too crowded, as by giving the shoots plenty of room the fruit 
is better expo.sed to the sun and air, and the wood for another year is 
better ripened. Shoots more than 14 inches long that are not ex¬ 
tensions may have their points pinched out. When the stoning 
process is over, which may be ascertained by testing a few fruits with 
a knife, the fruits will require regulating for the swelling period. 
Vigorous trees may be allowed to carry a few more than those that 
are weakly, but on no account unnecessarily tax the trees with more 
fruit than can be brought to maturity without prejudicing future crops. 
Supply weakly trees with liquid manure, and inside borders in any 
case must be kept properly watered, mulching the surface with partially 
decayed manure. This will secure more uniform moisture, and the 
fruit will swell to a good size. The temperature may be increased 
to 65° or 70° at night, and in the day to 70° or 75°, maintaining 85° 
or 90° through the day by sun heat ; ventilate from 75°, and close 
early with pdenty of atmospheric moisture. The very early va,rietie» 
Alexander or Waterloo, and Early Beatrice, will soon give indica¬ 
tions of ripening, when syringing must cease, and the leaves that shade 
or overhang the fruit must be drawn aside, and the fruit if necessary 
raised on laths placed across the wires of the trellis, so that its apex 
will be placed directly to the light. Syringing must be continued 
for the other varieties until the fruit is ripening. 
Trees Started at the Neio Year. —The weather has retarded the 
sxvelling of the fruits, but as it becomes more genial they progress 
rapidly, and stoning is commencing. Avoid sudden checks by injudicious 
ventilation, cold air in the day causing excessive evaporation, and too 
high a temperature at night are fatal. 
Trees Started Earl\i in Fehniarn. —AlVaougii these have not 
advanced rapidly in swelling, they being a full fortnight later than 
usual, the bright weather has given firmer texture and better colour to- 
the leaves, the set of fruit being satisfactory, and the swelling progressive. 
Syringing as scon as the fruit is fairly set on all the trees assists them 
to shed tire remains of the florvers. Heavy syringing must be avoided ^ 
an occasional effective and judicious syringing is all that is needed until 
the foliage attains to nearly its full size in the first leaves. Maintain a 
nio’ht temperature of 55° or 60° in mild weather, ventilating from 6.> ^ 
permitting an advance from sun heat to 70° or 75°, but with free or full 
ventilation. ,, 
I)islmdding.—Ktt^\\i\ to this early, but rt must be done caretully, 
commencing as soon as the shoots can be displaced wdth the finger, and 
be followed up day by day until only the shoots required for future 
bearing or the extension of the trees are retained. Leave one shoot at 
the base of the branches or last year’s shoots now fruiting, and another 
on a level with, or above, the fruit; the latter not being required for 
extension must be stopped at a few joints of growth. In the case oi 
trees not fully grown it will be necessary to leave shoots about lo inches- 
distance apart, calculating from the base of last year’s growth, to lorm 
the bearing shoots of next year, the terminals being trained in their 
full length as space permits. The leading growths must not be less 
12 to 15 inches apart. Closer training is practised, with the result ot 
weak, overcrowded groxvths, not nearly so satisfactory in fruit as 
growths fully exposed to light and air. n .. 
Thinning the Emits.—mvecfij the fruit is fairiy set and the- 
properly fertilised fruits can be detected by their taking the lead 
in swelling, commence thinning. Remove the smallest first and thosG 
on the under or at the back of the trellis, beginning with the weakest 
parts of the tree, for on the weakest shoots the fruit sets naost fnic^ly, 
thinning proportionately more than on stronger wood, which will tend 
to the equalisation of the vigour of the tree. The fruit ought not ulti¬ 
mately to be left closer than one to every square foot of trellis covered 
with growth, but small varieties, and Nectarines, being a smaller fruity 
may have one to every 9 inches square (81 square inches) of trellis 
covered by the trees. The first thinning must commence not later than 
when the fruit is the size of horse beans, the second when the size of 
marbles, when very few more should be left than is required ^r t e- 
crop ; looking over again when the fruit is the size o.. walnuts, and very 
few indeed over the intended crop _ should then be left, though there 
must always be a margin for casualties. . .. i 
Si/ringhig.—Swivge all trees not in flower, but havmg the leaves 
advanced in formation, twice a day when the weather is bright, so a^ 
to keep them free of red spider. Attend to the afternoon sjriuging at 
closing time, so as to have the foliage nearly or quite dry before night. 
Vigorous trees with sappy growths and large leaves require Ips syringing 
than trees with sturdy well-formed growth and stout textured leaveSy 
the strong growth perspiring considerably at night, moisture often 
hanging on the leaves in the morning whilst the foliage of the adjoining 
sturdy Irowing tree is dry. If the trees have water hanging from the 
points or edges of the leaves in the morning, omit the afternoon syring¬ 
ing, and on dull days damp available surfaces instead of syringing the 
trees ^ 1 
Tging-in the Shoots.—mi&n the growths are sufficiently advanced 
(and before they extend across the wires of the trellis so as to be m 
danger of breakage in bringing them into the proper position) tie 
them carefully to the trellis, not bringing the shoots down too shaiply , 
yet it is necessary where symmetrical training is considered, togethei 
with an equal distribution of growth and its disposal to air and light, 
to that every part of the tree may have its due share._ In securing the 
shoots to the trellis take care to leave sufficient space in tlie ties, for too 
sis^ht tyiiiff anti abrasions of the bark are prolific cau:^es of gumming, 
and too tight tying otherwise causes an indent wliicn renders the shoot 
liable to breakage at that point. . , 
Trees Started Early in J/are7i.—These are now flowering well, and 
we ceased syringing when the anthers showed clear of the petals, a 
genial condition of the atmosphere being secured by damping the paths 
in the morning and early afternoon. Provide a little ventilation con¬ 
stantly at the top of the house, and lose no opportunity ventilating 
freely. The night temperature should be 50 m mud weather, fallin 
5° to 10° through the night and severe weather, 50° to 5o by day, and 
65° from sun heat with a free circulation of air. Aid fertilisation of the- 
blossoms by shaking the trellis, brushing them gently with a soH *3™ 
or bunch of feathers, always in the early part of a fine day. ^ 
no mistake as to the moisture of the inside border, giving a thorough, 
supply of water when required. 
PLANT HOUSES. 
Epacrises.—Ei these cease flowering, cut them at once and 
place^ them where a temperature of oO can be mamtained. , jiing& 
