133 
TIIE COTTAGE GARDE NEE AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, May 20, 1800. 
his Oaks twenty feet apart with other hard-wooded trees, and on 
each side plants a row of Larches three feet six inches from them, 
beyond which, at the same distance, is a row of Scotch Firs. As 
soon as the Larches touch the Oaks, all are removed, and, sub¬ 
sequently, the Scotch Firs having become useful poles, are taken 
away, leaving, by thinning the row of hard-wooded trees, ample 
room for the Oaks. 
Thus we here see the advantages which result in all the future 
operations from the systematic way in which trees may be planted; 
advantages which must simplify the operations of the forester 
most materially. 
In cases where plantations have been neglected, as to pruning 
and thinning, most mature consideration is necessary, in order 
to know what should be done for the best. Error arises 
from neglect ot pruning, and the greatest mischief results from 
pruning too much. Indeed, in cases of some plantations, it is 
almost impossible to get them right without beginning again, 
and cutting down all the trees, selecting the strongest of the 
shoots for the future plant, and paying them all due attention. 
In concluding these remarks, i would most specialty insist 
upon the importance of early pruning; and while I would admit 
no instrument for its performance but the knife, I would ma¬ 
terially restrict its use, and remove superfluous shoots in embryo 
by the finger and thumb. Depend upon it, that early and pre¬ 
ventive meaus are the only correct ones in this art of pruning, 
and that the great principle of admitting air and light must be 
hilly attended to, it we are to have the fine and characteristic 
forms of the trees which our fair Island is capable of producing. 
Henry Bailey, Snneham. 
THE VARIETIES OF POLYANTHUS BEST 
FOR EARLY BEDDING. 
Taking the requirements for a bedding flower to be, that it is a 1 
good bright self-colour, with trusses of massive, dense, and abun¬ 
dant bloom, pretty, uniform in height, well thrown above the 
foliage, and the durability of its gaiety, at least, sufficient to reward 
the trouble of planting and afterwards removing when more 
tender rivals are ready and able to bear being turned out, either 
in place or amongst them. I think, taking these qualities to be 
needful for an early-flowering plant suitable for bedding, that 
there is a sport of the Polyanthus wliicli offers very superior 
attractions for the favour of the parterre gardener. It is not to the 
race of florist-flowering Polyanthuses, however exquisitely beau¬ 
tiful skill and perseverance have attained for these named sorts, 
or the usual varieties of “ common Polyanthus” that I refer to ; 
but to a sport of this favourite vernal flower, which, with a gra¬ 
titude adding to its charms, has transformed its sepals into 
petals, in some instances forming a beautifully coloured flower 
of nearly as bright a hue as the corolla ; but, at the same time, 
larger. Another most important property in this sport for the 
object under consideration is, that although the calyx has thus 
been so completely changed, and become as it were, a corolla, yet 
it retains the natural quality of the calyx, in being much less 
fugitive, investing its display with a durability which even the 
double kinds do not possess. The calyx being thus like a corolla, 
the quantity of flower is more than doubled when the plant 
blooms, presenting a density of colour which will make this variety, 
where it is raised into new and suitable hues, a most desirable 
occupant of the parterre. 
There are a few old varieties of this class; but for the purpose 
here named I think the best is a yellowish-white one, as it is a 
most profuse flowerer, and its gay calyx is longer than the 
corolla, with a foliage neat and not interfering with its floral 
splendour. This should be crossed with the other sorts which 
skill and judgment may deem most likely^ to produce seedlings 
of new, bright, and decided colours. I may here mention, that 
seed can bo produced with greater certainty if the plants are 
removed from the border into pots, and so kept in an airy but 
shady situation, from whence, in ease of very wet weather con¬ 
tinuing (which often rots the seed-vessel), they muy be restored 
under cover. It. is also much easier to apply the pollen to the 
stigma when tho plants are in pots. If tlie one selected to bear 
the seed be “ pin-headed,” no difficulty will arise in placing the 
pollen upon it; but, otherwise, the best way is to split open the 
t ube of the corolla early enough to clip away the anthers previously 
to their bursting; and, indeed, the operation with the “ pin- 
beaded,” would be better if this were also done, as the ebjeri of 
the crossing is more completely effect d. 
Mr. Henry Wooler, Upper Tulse Hill, about twelve years ago 
j raised some seedlings from seed taken from a large yellow Poly- 
j anthus, which had been, as above, crossed with the yellowish- 
white, “ hose in-hose,” named above, and some few of these 
i seedlings were quite like the hose-in-hose, except being yellower, 
] and, like their mother, more robust in growth. Seedlings raised 
| from these have often produced hose-in-hose quite equal to the 
original yellowish-white parent, but many with a deep yellow and 
orange flower ; and some of these have not unfrequently had a 
pip, or a few pips, and sometimes a truss with the stamens 
developed into petals, showing a great disposition to double. A 
subject both very interesting and instructive is, that about seven 
years ago, I procured a little of this seed, and have, nearly 
annually, saved the seeds from plants grown from it; and al¬ 
though it had no further chauce of being crossed by the yellowish- 
white liose-in-hose, yet not only have I yearly had seedlings 
with the calyx partly, and also fully transformed into petals, but 
last year one that came, even of a much deeper orange than the 
original common yellow Polyanthus just bred from, at Tulse Hill, 
May 16th.— W. Woofer, Geneva House, Darlington. 
THE ROSE OUT OF DOORS. 
(Continued from page 98.) 
Summer Culture.— Mulching. — In dry soils on a gravelly 
bottom, if a long continuance of dry weather should intervene, 
a mulching of well-rotted dung will be of great service. It will 
keep the soil moist by preventing evaporation ; and if the dung 
should be considered unsightly, it might be covered with green 
moss. All kinds of Roses in light, sandy soils, are benefired by 
this mulching, whether they be on their own roots, or budded or 
grafted on any kind of stock. A lady who lived near Uxbridge, 
and had a fine collection of the best Roses, remarked to me when 
I called to see her garden, that her beds of Roses, on their own 
roots, did not thrive or flower well. It was then the month of 
May, I advised the above mulching, and a good watering in dry 
weather. This was done, and when I saw them again in August, 
every one had recovered and put ou a most vigorous growth, 
and several were blooming well. Many of them were of the 
China and Tea class, and often, in winter, these tender varieties 
were killed with the frost. The covering of moss was kept on 
through the winter, and so well sheltered those tender kinds, 
that very few of them died. The branches, indeed, suffered 
and required cutting off close to the covering; but when spring 
arrived they pushed forth strong aud grew and flowered most 
satisfactorily. 
Sgringing. —After a hot parching day, a gentle syringing is 
of great service. It refreshes the foliage and washes off the dust, 
thus clearing the pores of the leaves, and causing a free circulation 
of the sap. Care must, however, be taken that the water falls 
not upon the opening blossoms. The buds will not he injured 
by this gentle artificial shower. 
Watering. —If a long drought should take place, tho Rose 
bushes should have (especially in open, sandy soils), a copious 
supply of water at the roots, more especially just before the 
i blossoms begin to unfold their beauties. For poor, gravelly 
soils, a watering with liquid manure once a-week, will feed the 
roots and help the action wonderfully. If my instructions as to 
mulching have been acted upon, a good watering will enrich the 
soil, by carrying down to the roots every time it is applied, the 
dissoluable and enriching salts and gases contained in the dung 
on the surface. 
Tging Standards will require constant attention to keep them 
well secured, by tying to the stakes. Observe if any of the ties 
are too tight round the stem, and -when they are so, cut the old 
j strings and retie them. 
Bead Flowers. —These should be clipped off with pruning- 
j scissors just before they begin to fall. Nothing looks so untidy 
i or careless as seeing Rose leaves littering about on the ground. 
A very little time spent daily in clipping off dropping flowers, or 
decayed buds that will not expand. 
Insects. — These must be continually warred with and destroyed, 
but I shall treat more fully upon them under the head “ inseetf,” 
and also summer pruning under its proper head. 
Winter Culture. —In the autumn the mulching should be 
' raked off. If moss has been used.it should be gathered off by 
I hand and preserved ; the old dung then raked off and leaving the 
j ground bare till all the leaves have fallen, then collect the leaves 
! and give the pro.nrd a dres= : n" of rich -burr, and carefully fork 
1 it in, leaving the ground roujh to receive tire benefit of a lithe 
