516 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Jane 27, ISM. 
high, and flowers profusely in a short time. The flowers are of a bright 
orange colour and very attractive. 
PRUNING SHRUBS AND TREES. 
Some gardeners are averse to pruning shrubs, because they 
say it affects the natural habits of those so operated upon. Just 
mow is a capital time to note the difference between shrubs which 
have been subjected to pruning and those which have not, as the 
results can be perhaps more plainly seen than at any other period, 
for this reason—it is more noticeable that the young growth resulting 
from the checking of the sap in a direct line sends out new growths 
below the point named ; these being of a distinct colour from the 
older branches render them more conspicuous. Take for instance 
a plant of Thuia Lobbi; its natural habit is pyramidal, and 
some of the strongest side branches take a distinct lead in growth ; 
they appropriate more than their due share of sap, and the result 
of allowing such strong branches to grow without interruption 
is that numerous hollow places are quickly found in the tree, so 
that the larger branches and main stem are soon exposed to view 
through the branches becoming leafless. Now if the trees are 
yearly examined, the points taken from those which are beyond the 
bulk of the branches, or some of the strongest cut well back, the 
result would be that the outline of the tree would be preserved, the 
branches would also become denser, presenting a solid mass of 
greenery, while the tree would still maintain its natural pyramidal 
*hape. Some of the growths which are cut hard back do not 
always break from every tree or joint the same year as pruning 
takes place, but the following year new growths are made. 
Thuiopsis dolobrata is another kind to whioh timely attention may 
be given in the matter of pruning ; an improved form of tree can 
be secured, as this breaks back freely, though it is at no time a very 
rapid grower. Where the points of this are cut off clusters of 
new growths can be seen springing from below the part caused by 
judicious pruning. Retinospora plumosa and its variety aurea are 
also much improved by this treatment. In some soils, especially 
those of a heavy, cold, retentive nature and impregnated with 
chalk, Retinosporas quickly get thin towards the centre. Pruning 
the points annually will result in an improved outline, and in a year 
or two the naked stems will hardly be seen. 
I am not a believer in “stubbing” in the Ranches to such 
an extent as to make them look like posts. I like to see an evenly 
balanced bush, the breadth to be proportionate to the height. My 
object now is to point out the benefit derived from the proper pruning 
of shrubs and trees, the former especially ; density of the outer parts 
of evergreen shrubs is what I admire. It does not make much 
difference at what date the pruning is effected, whether it be the 
first day of October or the first day of February. Any con¬ 
venient moment between the dates named will be found as good as 
any other time. I have practised pruning at both seasons with 
about the same results. The list of sorts which derive benefit from 
pruning in the manner named could be extended, but these few will 
suffice to show what is meant ; it is the natui ally growing pyramidal 
kinds which need most attention.—E. 
GARDEN ALLOTMENTS—THEIR ADVANTAGES 
AND UTILISATION. 
TRead at Nottingham by Mr. J. Wright,! 
{Concluded from page 493 .) 
I must touch on flowers, some of which pay the growers better 
than either vegetables or fruit. "Where "Violets grow well the giant 
varieties are highly profitable, three of the best being Wellsiana, 
Odoratissima, and Victoria Regina. As a double pale blue Marie 
Louise is a great favourite, and pays for a little protection, as does 
the double white Neapolitan, Swanley White. Violets should be 
planted a foot apart in April, and grown much the same as Straw¬ 
berries. These two crops — Violets and Strawberries — rank 
amongst the most remunerative of all when the soil is suitable for 
their production and they have the requisite cultural attention 
for insuring healthy growth, with cleanliness from weeds, and 
the removal of “ runners,’’ which in excess unduly crowd the 
beds. 
Daffodils are money-making flowers, both by sale of blooms and 
bulbs. Friends of mine who started with a few ten or twelve years 
ago now grow several acres. It is being found by experience that 
home-grown are equal to imported bulbs, and no doubt thousands 
of pounds expended on what are known as “Dutch flower roots” 
might be kept in this country, in which the money is earned. 
Millions of Snowdrop bulbs are grown in the south-east of Lin¬ 
colnshire, beds of them in many small gardens paying the rent of 
the holdingsj vith a good margin to spare, while in more extended 
culture they form a staple crop. They are taken up in July, those 
large enough being selected for sale, the smaller planted as soon as 
possible an inch apart in rows 6 inches asunder in good soil. 
Most other hardy bulbs, and certainly the popular Daffodils and 
Narcissus, can be as well grown at home as abroad. For maturing 
good bulbs, as well as producing flowers for cutting, they are best 
grown in well enriched soil in the open, planting the bulbs 2 or 
3 inches apart, according to size, in rows a foot asunder in July or 
August, covering them about 5 inches deep'. Early and deep is 
much better than late and shallow planting. Daffodils grow well 
under trees for affording flowers for sale, and may remain undis¬ 
turbed so long as they produce them freely. Acres of them form 
the undergrowth in cultivated orchards, and not unfrequently give 
a better return than is derived from the fruit. For the production 
of flowers beginners may commence with the cheaper varieties in 
the early, medium, and late sections, such as obvallaris, Lincolnshire 
Yellow, Golden Spur, Maximus, Yellow King, Princeps, and others, 
not forgetting the somewhat dearer white and yellow bicolor 
Horsefieldi. Then follow the elegant incomparabilis forms, sucha3 
Cynosure, Stella, and the step inadvance in price and size, the noble Sir 
"VVatkin. Poet’s Narcissi are indispensable where flowers are grown 
for sale, one of the first, finest, cheapest, and most extensively 
grown being the beautiful ornatus, followed by the common 
poeticus and recurvus, the season finishing with the double Poet’s 
with Garlenia-like flowers. If Nottingham growers require a 
wider selection they can consult Mr. J. Duncan Pearson. The 
plants are as easily grown as Potatoes, and with a good market for 
flowers and roots pay ten times better than do crops of the 
“ noble tuber.” 
Cheap scarlet Gladioli, the spikes cut when the first flowers 
open, are very remunerative. If the spikes are sold for Id. 
each—and they often realise Is. Cd. a dozen—they are worth £109 
an acre, allowing a margin of 25 per cent, for loss, while the 
bulbs are worth as much as the flowers, and increase in good soil. 
Plant when the ground is in good order after the middle of March 
in rows a foot apart, allowing 3 inches between the bulbs or 
corms, covering these 3 inches deep. I have seen a plot of 
Asters, much less than half the eighth of an acre, sold for £3(1. 
The plants were raised at the end of March, grown a foot apart 
in rich ground, and most of them taken up when the flowers 
showed colour, potted firmly, watered well, and sold for window¬ 
sill decoration, while from others the flowers were cut and sold 
in bunches. The dwarf bouquet Asters are suitable for the pur¬ 
pose, especially the pure white and rich crimson varieties. More 
than twice the amount named for Asters is gained from similar 
plots of Giant Lily of the Valley, the beds protected with canvas 
at night, supported by a rough framework of wood and wire formed 
over them. The crowns are planted in spring in small clumps 
of three or four, with as many inches between them, in very good 
soil, containing much decayed vegetable matter and sweet decayed 
manure, the surface being covered with a layer of manure also 
after planting. Liquid manure after flowering promotes robust 
leaf growth, which is essential for strong crowns and the finest 
spikes. 
Pinks, Carnations, free-flowering Roses, Spanish and other 
Irises, Anemones, Pyrethrums, Wallflowers, indeed most hardy 
flowers when produced in abundance and a market can be found for 
them, give a good return to the cultivator. They are easily raised 
from seeds sown in spring, or slips in the autumn, and can be 
managed by any intelligent occupier of a garden who is earnest in 
the work. But I must stop, and devote a few moments to the 
advantages of glass in gardens. 
“ Who loves a garden loves a greenhouse too ” is a familiar line 
containing truth. Greenhouses are enjoyable, and may be made 
profitable, and so may simple glass shelters. Let me give two or 
three instances. Twentj’-five years ago I called on a friend who 
rented a garden of less than an eighth of an acre. He had affixed 
planks on edge 5 feet apart, and made glazed sashes to rest on 
them ; he also erected a greenhouse less than 20 feet long. Here 
he preserved plants, raised others, and grew them in his frames. 
When he completed his house he had 9s. left. Now he employs 
120 persons to assist him in his world-wide trade. About twenty 
years ago I engaged temporarily a colliery miner who was out of 
work and without a penny. He was smitten with a house of 
Cucumbers, worked baid, saved and built himself a similar but 
smaller house in the Black Country. I gave him seed and lessons. 
He long ago ceased mining, having added house to house till his 
Cucumber manufactory enabled him to live—to use a hackneyed 
but well understood term—like a gentleman. Another man, a. 
joiner, started in the same small way, and now grows and sells half 
a ton of Cucumbers a day through the summer, and often twice 
that quantity. Another workman, who started with next to 
nothing, has won independence by growing Grapes and Tomatoes, 
