170 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ November, 
for about a fortnight was removed, and the 
summer shoots shortened. The object of these 
being left until this time was to assist in 
bringing forward a quicker root-action than 
would otherwise have been obtained. The 
work was so successfully accomplished that 
fruit-buds got well matured during the autumn, 
and a fair crop of fruit was gathered the 
following year. 
Trees of unlimited size may be root-lifted by 
doing the work, as it were, by instalments— 
taking a fourth, a third, or one-half at a time. 
The largest, undertaken by myself, was a 
Jargonelle Pear, covering a wall 14 ft. in height 
by 73 ft. in length. The roots were prepared 
the previous spring by cutting a trench along 
one-half of the border on which the roots were 
intended to be raised. This work was after¬ 
wards performed during the winter, and the 
remaining portion Avas treated in a similar 
manner two years after. Large and vigorous 
as the tree was, scarcely any check was per¬ 
ceptible, through allowing the roots on one side 
to get Avell established before taking the other 
in hand. In root-lifting, it is Avell to have a 
quantity of fresh loam at hand, so that no 
delay may take place Avhile the roots are 
exposed. 
When the trees have been selected for opera¬ 
ting upon, a trench should be cut out all round 
as near the extremities of the roots as may be 
considered safe, according to the age and size 
of the tree. In the case of those growing 
against walls, on borders which are in propor¬ 
tion to their height, it will generally be found 
sufliciently distant from the stem to open the 
trench close to the walk. When the soil has 
been taken out to the depth of 2^ ft. all round, 
or to the subsoil if less, the surface within the 
radius should be taken off with the spade as 
deep as the roots will admit, and put aside by 
itself, for on account of its being enriched by 
frequent applications of manure it is well- 
suited, along with fresh loam, to put around 
the roots Avhen relaid. The next process is to 
relieve the roots from the soil, by forking it 
gently all round the edges of the trench, taking 
special care to save all the small fibres. The 
soil at the bottom of the trench must be thrown 
out in order to keep it entirely clear of the 
roots. As the Avork progresses, and the numbers 
of roots as they are relieved become trouble¬ 
some, a few strong pegs thrust into the soil 
will keep them aside, so as to allow the work 
to be performed with more freedom. Mats or 
straw will be found necessary to cover over the 
exposed roots at night, and if anj^ of the soil is 
of inferior quality or considered exhausted, it 
should be put aside as the work goes on. In 
ordinary cases, where the trees are healthy, 
this will not be required. 
As soon as the roots haA^e been all laid'bare, 
the soil must be again thrown out, and the 
bottom properly levelled. A good coating of 
fresh loam, in addition to about half of the sur¬ 
face preAuously put aside, should make up the 
border to about the proper level for relaying 
the roots, Avhich, as a rule, should be so near 
to the surface as just to be clear of the spade. 
Wherever the roots are numerous, it is better 
not to spread them all out at once, but it 
should be done in. two or more sections, 
covering each division Avith a layer of fresh 
soil before putting down the next. When the 
roots have all been relaid, and a covering of 2 
to 3 inches of soil jmt on over them, a good 
coating of Avell-rotted manure spread over all 
before filling in the remainder of the soil and 
finishing off the border, will produce good 
effects by assisting to encourage the roots into 
growth, and likewise by inducing them to keep 
toAvards the surface. 
The advice given above is no theoretical 
promulgation, but is given from information 
•attained by long experience and extensive 
practice. Most of the different binds of wall- 
fruit, with the exception of Cherries, which 
have few fibres, and are difficult to manage, 
have been root-raised under my superintend¬ 
ence in the gardens here. I have therefore 
much confidence in adAmcating the principle of 
root-raising ; and I also feel convinced that, 
wherever the plan is adopted, the labour and 
expense connected therewith Avill be amply 
repaid.—J. Webster, Gordon Castle Gardens. 
OIIOHAKD-HOUSE MANAGE¬ 
MENT. 
0 little has to be added to my former 
remarks on Orchard-House Management, 
that I would not have asked for a corner 
of the Florist this autumn, had I not introduced 
a single flow-and-return hot-water pipe into 
mine, in the hope of still further extending 
the season of our best fruits. Presumino- that 
O 
the past season Avas exceptional, I fear I must 
pronounce the experiment to liaA^e been dis¬ 
appointing. Still, at the blooming season I 
