122 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOOIST. 
[ June, 
indeed, if they do not stone and thin themselves. When set they can be moved 
to a higher temperature, under Peach-trees, or to a Vinery just started. By the 
end of April they will come on in any house, and the last batch may be set out 
of doors. Although some persons would be inclined to count as ridiculous the 
idea of putting plants in the centre of a dining-table, they might perhaps change 
their minds if they saw the effect of a neat-headed Cherry-tree, covered with its 
pure white blossom, or with from ten to twelve dozen of fine ripe fruit hanging 
down to meet the eye. 
Some people say, “ Oh I they are a great deal of trouble, requiring to be 
shifted about backwards and forwards.” This may be so, but my experience is 
that there is nothing got without trouble, and if we compare the labour attending 
the culture of any ordinary greenhouse plant with that of such as these, there is 
only this difference, that here we get a second return for our trouble ; for instead 
of simply obtaining the fiowers, there is the fruit to follow; and then the only 
attention necessary until the next season is to look to the watering of the roots. 
The trees are not much troubled with insects, the caterpillars and black-fly being 
their chief enemies, and both these are easily stopped either by smoking or 
picking. 
They force these trees very successfully in Germany, and mostly in low pits, 
often getting a nice lot of fruit in January. At the Eoyal Garden at Potsdam 
whole ranges are set aside for them. I do not remember having seen any in 
France. With gentle forcing the trees last for a good many years ; and when 
planted closely in the form of hedges they can easily be protected by a covering of 
nets in the summer and autumn. Where birds are as plentiful as they are here, 
no sort of fruit can be got without protection is afforded both to buds and 
fruit. The May Duke is the only sort fit for pots, and of this the fruit with 
good feeding get to be very fine. We generally arrange for the second lot of one 
year to come first the next.—J. F., Cliveden. 
THE KOYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
’HE first phase of the recent movement in the Eoyal Horticultural Society 
may be said to be fairly passed ; the newly elected Council is in undis¬ 
puted possession of power, and it is only just to say that they are applying 
themselves to their *work with an assiduity and earnestness that should 
, commend their efforts to all who wish well to Horticulture. 
On looking back, one cannot help wishing that the personalities and acri¬ 
mony which here and there cropped up during the discussion could be obliterated 
and forgotten. No doubt, words were uttered in the heat of conflict which the 
judgment on calm reflection would hardly approve ; and if this view could be 
taken—and I think it may justly be taken—the bitter feeling which they have 
left behind might be moderated or assuaged. Present at all or nearly all the 
meetings, it struck me throughout that due allowance was not made for the posi¬ 
tion of things when the late Council accepted oflSce, They were— as the new 
