92 
THE FLORIST AND P0M0L0GIST. 
state of growth to aim at, both because it is indicative of unabated strength, 
and, also, because it affords so many more chances of keeping the trees well up 
to the mark as regards being furnished with fruitful wood. During the re¬ 
mainder of the season attention to nailing-in the permanent shoots and stop¬ 
ping all the late growths is all that will be required as regards the manipulation 
of the branches. 
During the time the above operations are in progress, there are other 
matters on which their successful application greatly depends, and these must 
receive careful attention and be carried on simultaneously. The first is the 
condition of the roots, because upon their being properly encouraged depends 
that healthy state of growth which enables the operator to calculate upon suc¬ 
cess. As I am now alluding more particularly to young trees, I will presume 
that care has been taken to make the borders well, both as regards drainage 
and a suitable compost, so that for a few years at least, there will be no fear 
of there being a deficiency of food, and the principal care will be to keep 
the surface of the soil loosened so as to obtain the full benefit of the sun’s rays. 
The surface may also be slightly mulched in very hot and dry weather for 
the retention of moisture. At the same time, in very dry weather merely 
mulching will not be sufficient, for as the Peach requires copious supplies of 
water, the necessary quantity should be furnished whenever there is reason to 
apprehend a deficiency. Also, as saline matter appears to be peculiarly 
agreeable to the Peach, I always throw in a few handsful of salt in proportion 
to the quantity of water. 
With this attention to root-moisture, must also be coupled that of keep¬ 
ing down the ravages of the insect tribe, which often interfere very much with 
the healthy development of the foliage. For this purpose there is nothing 
so effectual as frequent applications of soft water from a garden engine, or one 
of the improved hydropults, which throw a continuous stream. If this is 
attended to frequently it will act as an entire preventive; but if not, and the 
insects do obtain the mastery, pure water will scarcely suffice, and some of the 
many applications which are recommended for the purpose may be used. I pre¬ 
fer tobacco, or a weak solution of Gishurst compound, but none of them must be 
left on very long without being washed off again by syringing with clean water, 
because I am convinced that whatever is sufficiently strong to kill insects, will 
also to a certain extent injure the young foliage, as well as interfere with the 
action of the stomates on that which is further developed ; therefore, I say, Do 
not let any noxious mixtures remain too long on the foliage, and by all means 
try whether the necessity for using them cannot be avoided by a constant 
attention to syringing with pure water. Prevention in the long run is less 
troublesome than cure, and far more satisfactory in its results. 
Redleaf. John Cox. 
INARCHING THE FIG TREE TO HASTEN BEARING. 
Hating seen the Castle Kennedy Fig, now being sent out by Messrs. Law- 
son & Sons, of Edinburgh and London, I would advise every Fig-grower to 
obtain it, for I consider it a very great acquisition ; and knowing how anxious 
every fruit-grower is to see the first production of any new or highly esteemed 
fruit, I will direct attention to a method which I once adopted in order to 
hasten bearing, not that there is anything new in it, but as a means of saving 
time. 
I had received cuttings of a celebrated large Fig from Lord Digby, and in 
the following season I elevated one of the small pot plants upon a bracket of 
