126 
THE FLORIST AND P0M0L0GIST. 
root-lifting and repeated applications of well-rotted manure to the roots as the 
trees appear to require it. 
With a very few exceptions the whole of the trees on these cropped borders 
have been root-lifted, and some of them two and even three times; but the 
process was got over by taking two or three of a sort in a season, and prepar¬ 
ing about the same number for the next by cutting their roots, this being 
necessary from the size of the trees. This steady process does not risk a 
short supply, and I have most seasons, after lifting, found an advantage from it 
by getting a few dozens of fruit earlier ripened on trees thus carefully managed. 
The roots are relayed at about 1 foot from the surface in a layer of fresh soil, 
and after this a slight covering of soil; a coat of well-rotted manure is then 
placed over them before filling up. This encourages the new roots to work 
upwards, and in order to keep them near the surface I have applied to Apricots 
and other sorts of fruit requiring it from heavy crops once in every three years. 
Our method of applying it is to open a trench across the border 4 feet wide, 
a spade is used at first, and afterwards a steel fork to bare the roots as much as 
can be done with safety; 3 to 4 inches of manure is applied all over the roots, 
and a good soaking of manure water from tanks and cesspools is applied before 
taking out the next trench to cover over. This operation allows the liquid to 
take part of the strength of the manure directly down to the roots which are 
under, while the latter as it decays encourages the roots upwards. I endeavour 
always to perform these periodical root-dressings as early after the fruit is 
gathered as possible, so as to get the benefit of winter rains in washing down 
the strength of manure to the roots. Borders thus managed fruit, and the 
duration of trees is not much affected by having light rooting crops of vege¬ 
tables upon them. 
Gordon Castle. J. Webster. 
[This is fruit-culture, not fruit-growing ; anybody can grow fruit.—E d. F. axd P.] 
BOUGAINVILLAEA AND BOTTOM HEAT. 
I am not altogether satisfied with the returns upon the subject of bottom 
heat. What Mr. Wills states is easily obviated by introducing short pipes that 
reach to the surface, immediately over or placed upon the bottom-heat pipes, 
and stopped at the surface with wooden plugs. Whether the border is dry or 
not, a good watering occasionally through the pipes is beneficial at certain 
stages of the growth of the Vine ; but this does not replace in the soil what 
the heat has taken out. In the absence of iron we have used common dram- 
tiles, placed the bottoms against each other and forming an oval, one above 
another ; but allow me to bring forward another example. A few years ago, 
when the Bougainvillaea first came out, it was stated that a necessary element 
of success was to literally scorch the roots. Now, I believe, we have had this 
quite as fine here as it has been in any place in England, and it never had a 
particle of bottom heat, and very little more than an intermediate atmosphere, 
seldom above 40° in the winter nights; the only difference being, that it blooms 
later by six weeks, or, perhaps, two months. In fact, it turns out to be our 
grandest and most gorgeous warm conservatory plant. No one need fear 
planting it in such places, only give it plenty of brick rubbish to root into, and 
keep it perfectly dry in winter. A little flagging will do it no injury. It will 
grow' where either Hexacentris mysorensis, or Thunbergia laurifolia will not, 
although the former grows and blooms magnificently without bottom heat; but 
the atmosphere must be kept to 50° in the w'inter nights or it soon shows the 
effect of the cold. 
Cliveden. F. 
