82 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ April, 
tliem, barely enough being given to keep the leaves from shrivelling. In a 
short time they throw up their flower-spikes, and bloom freely all through 
the winter months. 
Crewe Hall . Wm. Whitaker. 
PROTECTION OF FRUIT TREES. 
N this subject there is a great discrepancy of opinion, but, however 
much gardeners may differ, as to the materials, and the methods of 
applying them, the necessity for protection to insure crops of Apricots, 
Peaches, and Nectarines is admitted by all. The trees being im¬ 
patient of anything in the shape of coddling, the covering ought 
to be removed during the day, and on every favourable opportunity so as to 
fully expose the trees to sun, light, and air, which are necessary to insure 
a healthy growth. To facilitate the easy removal of these coverings, various 
methods are adopted. 
I propose here to describe the plan I have pursued for years, which is 
somewhat different from that which has been recommended by Mr. Robins, 
(p. 68). I provide a sufficiency of smooth light poles, furnished with hooks 
at one end, to fix into staiiles under the coping ; the poles are placed aslant 
at 6 feet apart, and the lower end firmly pressed into the ground at 4 feet 
from the wall. A lath is attached to the poles under the coping, on which 
is tacked one side of the frigi domo covering, which is all in one piece, 
125 yards long and 8 yards wide. Thin sash cords are fixed to the top 
under the cover, brought round the cloth, and passed through pullies screwed 
to the lath along the top at 10 feet apart. Thus the cover is suspended 
within the cords, and may be drawn to the top clear of the trees. There 
are rings on each end of the cover, through which is strained a cord to keep 
the cloth in place when drawn up. With this contrivance, the covering and 
uncovering is done with the greatest facility. 
By this method, the covering is kept securely in its place when drawn 
up within the grasp of the cords, and consequently is not so subject to be 
flapped about by the wind, as when used in separate lengths ; and I find 
this a great advantage both as regards the safety of the trees, and the 
facility of covering them. 
Witley Court. Geo. Westland. 
THE CULTIVATION OF CHILLI CAPSICUMS. 
HOSE who may wish to grow their own Cayenne Pepper so as to have 
it genuine may very easily do so. The seeds should be sown early in 
March in a Cucumber or Melon pit, where there is 65° or 70° of heat. 
The seedlings when large enough should be pricked out into large 
60-pots, three in each, in a light soil containing at least one-third leaf 
