G8 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOOIST. 
[ March, 
We have been in the habit of potting the crowns of this plant for forcing, 
much in the same way as we do the bulbs of the Hyacinth; but the roots of the 
Hyacinth, and the roots of most bulbs, strike deep into the soil—indeed there is 
a peculiar form of flower-pot, one-third more in depth than the diameter at the 
brim, that used to be called the Bulb-pot. This ought not to be used for the Lily 
of the Valley, but rather shallow pans whose depth is not more than half their 
diameter. Into such pans patches of the roots of the Lily of the Valley should 
be placed, with the soil attached, and without breaking or disturbing the feeders 
at the very time when their services are most needed. In this natural way the 
plants will flower freely, especially if they are not forced with too much fire-heat. 
It is therefore evident that it is to the previous treatment of the plants in the 
reserve garden that we must look for our success in forcing this gem of a flower ; 
and the cultivator must have an eye to the natural method, and see that shelter, 
shade, moisture, and surface feeding are attended to, for it certainly needs them 
all. It is disgraceful to see the way in which this useful plant is treated in most 
gardens. I do not recollect noting any one instance in which it was honestly 
cultivated, for it was allowed to have its own way, behind a north wall, and the 
crowns were dug up for forcing as they were wanted; but if we could only grow 
them by art as well as they are grown by nature, they would handsomely repay 
us by their unrivalled fragrance; and as they are saleable goods, they might, 
if well marketed, render some service in the way of paying rent to the dealer in 
cut flowers.— Alexander Forsyth, Islington Square^ Salford. 
GRAFTING UNFRUITFUL UPON FRUITFUL TREES. 
a former paper, relating to the stocks of Apples and Pears, I wrote against 
the opinion that grafting bad-bearing kinds on fruitful ones would increase 
their fertility. As what I then said may be disputed, I will enforce it by 
^ further observations. A few years ago I grafted some healthy scions of 
the Northern Spy Apple upon good-bearing branches of Braddick’s Nonpareil. 
They grew freely, but were unproductive, and of the usual slender growth 
peculiar to that kind, though the original tree or stock is always very fruitful, 
even some of the shoots of the previous season’s growth being so,—a peculiarity 
of some great-bearing kinds of both Apples and Pears. Amongst these is Susette 
de Bavay Pear, which seldom ripens in bad seasons even on a wall. The next 
example will show the reverse side of the question. I grafted Cox’s Pomona 
Apple upon some sere branches of the Norfolk Beaufin, and they soon got the 
mastery, and proved very fruitful, without affecting or restoring to health the 
nearly barren tree. 
Those who dispute my opinion on this subject, might as well maintain that 
the shoots of a good-bearing kind, united to those of an unfruitful one, would make 
a fruitful tree ; but though that would be like reversing the process, it would be 
equally untenable. Numerous instances of such might be mentioned, but I con- 
