May 9, !8i9. j 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
375 
but in these less favoured localities if this plan is followed up too long 
it will hinder the thorough ripening of the wood. 
The plan I adopt is to give the trees a thorough syringing after the 
old fruiting wood has been removed ; the trees are then coated with 
sulphur. The simplest method of applying it, is to put three good 
handfuls into a 4-gallon water-can, add just sufficient milk to make it 
into a paste, fill with water and apply with a jet syringe. A second 
supply may be necessary to lodge sufficient on the foliage. I do not 
have much trouble from this insect, but when necessary the sulphur is 
applied. After this the foliage can be left to take care of itself. Red 
spider will make no progress where sulphur abounds, but if allowed to 
get a firm hold it is difficult to destroy, and the result is weakened trees 
for the next year. 
I must also point out that trees are often seriously weakened by 
overcropping. Thinning the fruits, especially on large trees, requires 
the exercise of much judgment. No hard-and-fast rule must be carried 
out in performing this pleasant duty, as the general health and capa¬ 
bilities of a tree to perfect a heavy or only a light crop must be taken 
into account. Bach tree has an individuality ; even those of the same 
variety differ largely in constitution, therefore each should be made a 
study, independently of its neighbour. It is not an easy matter to 
decide upon the weight of fruit, and a supply of suitable w r ood a tree 
is able to mature, unless the cultivator is thoroughly acquainted with 
its roots, and notes its behaviour during the preceding growing season. 
Trees, if burdened with an excess of fruit, are left in a weakened con¬ 
dition, and unable to perfect their wood and buds before the leaves fall, 
consequently the fruit buds either drop or set badly, and disappointment 
is the penalty, whereas a lighter crop might have resulted in profit and 
pleasure. 
Flower buds are often seriously weakened and caused to open 
imperfectly from by an excess of heat and moisture at the commence¬ 
ment. I remember visiting a good garden during the last week in 
February, 1882, and there seeing a Peach and a Nectarine, fine well 
trained trees, that had never fruited satisfactorily. In fact, the Peach 
had not carried any fruits for three years, but always bloomed well, 
entirely due to an excess of heat and a moist state of the atmosphere. 
The trees were then green with foliage, and had been once dis¬ 
budded, and not a petal had fallen ; whereas, at that stage the fruit 
should have been set and swelling. This is perhaps the greatest error 
that can be committed in the culture of this fruit. My object in point¬ 
ing out this case is to prove that it is not the pushing of the wood buds 
in advance of the flower buds that causes the latter to fall before they 
expand in every case, for these trees were carrying an abundance of 
bloom, and the Nectarine finished a fair crop of fruit, from the fact 
that both wood and buds had been well matured ; 45° at night, with a 
rise to 55° in the daytime from artificial heat, 60° with sun, should not 
be exceeded at the commencement, with a gradual rise to 55° at night to 
70° from sun heat so soon as the blossoms begin to expand. This is a 
suitable temperature during the setting period. Provided the wood is 
well matured the flowers will open freely and the wood buds will 
stand until setting is nearly completed. 
Much more might be written on this subject, such as the effects of 
damp on certain varieties, and sudden rises of temperature, but I think 
I have already pointed out that buds fall because they are imperfect ; 
and considering how much depends on a good set, it behoves those in 
charge to take pains with their trees, and assist them as far as possible 
after the crop is gathered. Perfect maturity of the wood is of the first 
importance. A free use of the knife amongst the shoots so soon as the 
last fruit is gathered, and a little more of it at their strongest roots, 
will go far to correct this evil, and remove much of the anxiety felt 
amongst cultivators during the flowering period. I know from experi¬ 
ence if trees have their roots kept near the surface, and a moist root 
run maintained at all seasons, the few buds that fall are neither 
missed nor wanted, but the cultivator may wisely resort to thinning 
the worst situated buds before they expand ; those remaining are 
stronger in consequence, and with fair treatment will set and swell 
into fine fruit. 
KEKRIA JAPONICA. 
This is a capital early flowering deciduous shrub, its bright orange- 
coloured rosette-like blossoms making a brave show just now when other 
climbing plants in flower are scarce. It is a wonder more of it is not 
seen, as only a minimum of attention is needed, either in increasing the 
stock, or in obtaining abundance of bloom from established plants. A 
wall having a southern aspect suits this Kerria best, it being necessary 
to have the wood of the previous year’s growth well ripened. I have 
here a remarkable instance of the difference in the flowering of the 
branches on one plant. Those which are nailed to the wall are in full 
flower, while those branches which are not fastened to the wall owing 
to their numbers, and are 1 or 2 feet away from it, are only in 
bud at the present time. No great harm is done by the want of uni¬ 
formity in the flowering of the plant over its entire length, as a longer 
succession of blossoms will be maintained. To obtain the best results, 
those branches which are weakest and have flowered should be cut out, 
allowing more space for new growths to develope, as it is upon the 
shoots which succeed the flowering period that the blossoms appear the 
following April. Any kind of soil will grow this plant successfu ly 
which is of a fairly rich and sandy nature. Cuttings of the half-ripened 
shoots may be taken about 6 inches long towards the end of September, 
and dibbled firmly into sandy soil in a cold frame, anil if this be kept 
close for a time the cuttings will quickly form roots. By the following 
April they will be ready to plant in their permanent position, or may be 
planted in rows on an east or west border for a year, where they will 
gather strength, and will more quickly make a good display in the. 
position finally allotted to them.—E. M. 
We have received several examples recently of late-flowering 
Chrysanthemums, and this week a correspondent at Exmouth sends us a. 
box of good blooms of Mdlle. Lacroix, not of course up to exhibition 
standard, but useful for cutting. A few blooms even appear in the- 
markets still, but they are now being crowded out by more seasonable 
flowers, though white flowers are always in request. In the case of 
those just mentioned the plant from which they were gathered had 
been in flower since last November, thus yielding a supply of over six 
months’ duration. 
REPOTTING CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 
Me. Molyneux considers repotting should be proceeded with at 
once. With me, and I learn with many others, where the last shift has 
been from the cutting into a 5£-inch pot, say, or a 4^-inch in the case 
of delicate growers, especially where the plants arrived without soil by 
parcels post, it would be quite premature to move them into 7 or 8-inch 
pots now. This applies especially to the newer introductions, which so 
many growers have been anxious to obtain, such as Mrs. Falconer 
Jameson, Sunflower, Goklfinder, James Weston, Lady Dorothy, the two 
Misses Haggas, and Violet Tomlin ; and personally with me, Nelson and 
Sabine (large Anemones) ; Yokohama Beauty, Mrs. Castle, and Lady 
Lawrence, Around here Avalanche, Edouard Audiguier, Edwin Moly- 
neux, and in a less degree Mrs. J. Wright, Mr. and Mrs. H. Canned, 
promise to be very fine. I specially draw your attention to the dwafer 
growers, of which the three afore mentioned are types, and think they 
belong to a section that might both be usefully extended and com¬ 
mended. Here we have had a great downpour of rain, several inches^ 
within the past. week. I left my plants, with a few exceptions in the 
greenhouse, to enjoy the pluvial feast. Neighbouring growers removed 
theirs under sheds or into frames. Where the drainage is good it is a 
doubtful question whether in the first week of May soft rain can or 
would do vigorous healthy plants any harm. Perhaps you would say. 
I do not pretend to be any authority, but think a dwarfish vigorous 
growth, and firm well ripened wood, with leathery foliage, is best 
secured by a maximum of open air growth.—W. J. Muephy, Clonmel. 
CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETIES, 
The schedule of the Hull and East Riding Society’s Exhibition, to 
be held in conjunction with the National Society at Hull, November 21st 
and 22nd, is just issued, and contains full particulars respecting the 
open classes for blooms’ noted last week in referring to the N.C.S. 
schedule, also of the open classes for plants with the amateurs’ and 
district classes. The amount of prize money offered is £211, exclusive 
of eight silver cups, value £55 10s. A silver challenge cup, value ten 
guineas, with the first prize of £3, is offered for a group of Chrysanthe¬ 
mums arranged with foliage plants in a space of 100 square feet. In 
another class, for a group of miscellaneous plants in a space of 50 
square feet, Mr. Wm. E. Martin, 20 Market Place, Hull, offers a five- 
guinea cup and first prize of £3. In the other classes the prizes are 
liberal, and there is every encouragement for exhibitors. The Secre¬ 
taries are Mr. E. Harland, Manor Street, and Mr. J. Dixon, 2, County 
Buildings, Hull. 
The Kingston and Surbiton schedule is also issued, and gives, as 
previously announced, the date of their Show on November 12th and 
13th. Forty-four classes are provided, besides a number of special 
classes, in which the prizes are contributed by patrons of the Society in 
the district. The fifth challenge vase, value twenty-five guineas, given 
by Sir J. Whittaker Ellis, Bart., M.P., which was won last year by 
W. Furze. Esq., of Teddington, is again offered for forty-eight blooms 
distinct, twenty-four incuryed, and twenty-four Japanese. Substantial 
