2G6 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ December, 
more beautiful as a basket plant lias ever been seen. Mr. Stevens lias been good 
enough to send the following memoranda on his method of growing these 
wonderful specimens :— 
“ I start them the first week in September, ancl put them in the coldest house I have got. 
When they have started into growth, I give them a little manure-water, made of soot and 
cow-dung, which I find they delight in. I plant them in the strongest loam I can find, 
mixing a little cow-dung with it, and I find them to do well in it. I have at the present 
time five baskets of them, which I think will be better than the one I brought up to London 
last spring.” 
We trust that this brief notice, and Mr. Fitch’s attractive figures may be the 
means of gaining for the Lachenalia family (which is by no means confined to 
the species above mentioned) that share of popular favour which is eminently 
its due.—T. M. 
ON PRUNING THE TENDER SHOOTS OF VINES. 
| n Y remarks apply chiefly to the common practice of topping the tender 
Hi, shoots of Vines trained on the “spur system,” though, indeed, they are 
applicable to the general culture of vines. It is usual to cut or top the 
fresh young shoots about two eyes, or leaves, beyond the bunches, and 
to repeat this process on the laterals until the fruit is ripe. But the custom is 
wrong, at least when followed up too closely just before the ripening period, be¬ 
cause at this stage of growth the bearing shoots acquire a woody texture, and 
their pith is compressed and rendered useless. It is only upon the young shoots 
that the chemical rays of the sun can have the necessary influence to convert the 
crude sap into proper nutriment for both the tops and roots. Thus with the 
loss of the tender shoots the vines lose their chief support, and this, no doubt, 
affects the quality of the fruit. If there were less topping of the laterals, perhaps 
there would be fewer complaints of the shanking and bad colouring of grapes.— 
J. Wighton, Cossey Park. 
FORCING THE LILY OF THE VALLEY. 
HE Lily of the Valley is a well-known plant, and held in the highest 
estimation on account of its elegant flowers. It thrives in any common 
soil, and does well in any shady situations—a north border suits it 
admirably. It forces well, and thus its sweet flowers may be enjoyed 
from Christmas until they come out-doors in May. But it is not so generally 
forced as one would expect to see it. I have often heard complaints about its 
not flowering, but this I believe arises generally from the manner in which the roots 
are potted previous to forcing. When the roots are lifted in tufts and potted as 
they are, they will produce plenty of leaves and few flowers. The roots, instead 
of being thus potted in masses, should be very carefully separated, picking out 
those with flower-buds, which are readily known by their plumpness, fullness, and 
size. Only those with flower-buds should be potted; all the others should be 
replanted. They may be potted, according to the size of the pot, in tens, twenties, 
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