1877.] 
NEW ORNAMENTAL JAPANESE PEARS. 
99 
growing subject of this description there is nothing better than a thin, turfy sod 
of about an inch in thickness, that has lain together sufficiently long for the grass 
to have become decayed. This, if put on the turfy side downwards, will for 
years exclude the finer particles of soil from getting down into the drainage, 
which is better for being some six inches in depth. Previous to planting- 
out this and all other climbers, especially in greenhouses and conservatories, 
care should be taken that they are perfectly free from any of the worse kinds of 
insects, such as scale or mealy-bug, for the position of plants thus trained on the 
roof renders them much more difficult to clean than when grown as ordinary pot- 
specimens. It is equally of importance that any plants at all affected with these 
insects, and that are introduced to the house in which roof-climbers are grown, 
should never be stood in contact with the stems of the climbers, for if so placed 
the pests are sure to be communicated to them, and the worst results must follow. 
Let the planting-out be done sufficiently early in spring, before any growth has 
commenced, so that the necessary disentangling of the roots from the ball of 
earth with a view to spreading them in the new soil can be carried out without 
injury, which would follow if growth in either roots or branches had begun. 
After planting, give no more water until they have commenced to grow ; this is 
necessary, to keep the soil in a suitable condition. During the growing season 
keep the shoots regularly tied up into the place allotted to them, and supply the 
roots with water. 
This Clematis is very appropriate for planting at one end of a house, and 
training under the ridge. When allowed to hang thinly in festoons it has a 
good effect, and is more fitting for being so grown than things which are not 
naturally calculated for extending far. As the soil in which the roots are placed 
gets exhausted, recourse must be had to stimulants, in the shape of copious 
waterings during the growing season with liquid manure, and renewal of the 
surface-soil in the spring, by removing an inch or two from the top of the border 
the roots occupy, and replacing it with new. When the space is filled which the 
plants are intended to occupy, each year after flowering the knife should be 
freely used, so as to reduce the shoots within proper limits, and to allow room for 
the season’s growth. 
Red-spider will, during hot weather, sometimes make its appearance, and 
should be guarded against by a free use of the syringe.—T. Baines, Southgate, 
NEW ORNAMENTAL JAPANESE PEARS. 
E have sent you a small package containing Pears from Japan. These 
pears are very rare at present, and we believe they are not grown at 
all in England. Though not dessert pears, they are really worth a more 
extended cultivation, especially in the gardens of amateurs. We send five 
varieties, namely, Mikado,^ Madame Von Siebold^ Sieboldii, and one un¬ 
named. The first four varieties were brought into trade successively by the firm, Ph. 
K 2 
