EXTRACTS. 
503 
from the frost dur.ng the winter. The planting is commenced in the beginning 
or middle of April. In dry weather, divide the ground into beds four feet wide, 
which, with the mould out of the alleys, should be raised about a couple of 
inches higher in the middle than the sides of the beds. With a woolleu cloth 
rub off all the lateral fibres from the roots, and also pare off each extremity, so 
that the wounds may be fresh, then plant them by inserting them horizontally 
into the sides of the elevated beds, about a foot apart, and in a quincuncial 
manner; so that the bottom part of the root is about six or seven inches below 
the surface, and the top or crown end of the root stands a little out of the side 
of the bed, remarking that the roots are to be inclined a little, so that their 
lower extremity is rather deeper than their upper. In the latter end of June or 
sometime in July, take and cutoff with a sharp knife all the lateral fibres of each 
root, which is done by placing the foot on the longer extremity, and carefully 
lifting the roots out of the ground as far as may be necessary. This operation 
is performed two or three times every summer. When the operation is over, 
replace the roots as before, and cover them with mould. The roots or fibres 
which are left at the end of the main root undisturbed are sufficient to 
nourish the plant. In the third year the roots have attained their full size. 
Laying the roots horizontally has the advantage, that they are easily taken out 
of the ground without breaking; wJiile cutting off the side roots makes the main 
root grow straight and thick. It is advisable to plant a bed every year.— Jens 
Peter Petersen. Hort. Trans. 
Mode of keeping Apples. —When the fruit is quite ripe commence gather 
ing, taking care not to bruise any of them. They are then to be carried to 
the fruit-room, and placed thinly on shelves, wdth proper divisions, so as to keep 
each variety distinct, allow them free air for six or eight days, then procure a 
quantity of sand which is dried thoroughly on the flue, and mix with it one 
pound of powdered nitre to each bushel of sand, then dry the jars thoroughly; 
these jars should be made of glazed stone w'are, and in a conical shape, to throw 
the weight on the jars and relieve the fruit. At the expiration of eight days, 
examine the fruit and wdpe each fruit carefully with a soft tow'^el. (Never allow 
the fruit to sweat, for although recommended by many it is hurtful to the flavour, 
injurious to the appearance, and renders the fruit insipid and mealy.) Put a 
quantity of the mixed sand in the bottom of the jar; then place a layer of fniit 
in such a w^ay that each apple may be kept apart, cover them with the sand, 
again place a tier, and go on thus till the jar be filled within a few inches of the 
top, this upper space fill wdth sand, seal the tops with putty-lime, attaching a 
ticket descriptive of the fruit, &c. &c. The jars are to be kept in a room free 
from frost.—W. Jack. Cal. Hort. Soc. 
On Canker in Fruit Trees. —The chief causes of canker in fruit trees 
are the bad qualitif of the soil, the want of climate, and the scions being wrought 
on stocks either harder or softer in their nature than themselves. Trees often 
do verj' well for four or five years until the roots have penetrated down into the 
subsoil, then the roots are put upon hard labour, the nourishment they collect is 
poor and scanty, and not adequate to'support and keep up the stature of the trees. 
On cutting the young w'ood it wall be found to be of a reddish colour at the 
heart; the bark wdll crack in several places during winter; and when the trees 
begin to push in spring, many of the last year’s shoots will be found dead, 
others will grow till midsummer, then the leaves will flag or fade, and two or 
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