30 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ February, 
time the bud was inserted. The tree cost Is. Gd., and it paid for itself six times 
over in the second year, thanks to Mr. Rivers for teaching us how to manage them. 
The Victoria Nectarine is the best late variety, and far superior to Prince of 
Wales, or any other late sort I know of. It requires careful watering when the 
fruit is taking the second swelling, as, like its parent the Stanwick, it has a 
tendency to crack. Prince of Wales also used to crack badly with me, but I 
cured this by withholding the usual surface-dressings in summer. — J. Douglas, 
Loxfcrd Hall. 
THE CULTURE OF NEAPOLITAN VIOLETS. 
|T the present time, I have a long row of Neapolitan Violets in pots, in 
flower, and I need not say how these fragrant blossoms are prized at this 
period of the year. My mode of cultivating them has nothing new in it; but 
having the advantage of a glass-covered wall, and placing the pots under 
this shelter in a position where they get the most air and light, I find that they 
never fail to flower well in the winter months. The plants are grown on a north 
border, in a rich, light soil, and great care is taken to prevent the red-spider from 
attacking the foliage—for this insect is a great pest to them in dry summers. 
When strong runners are selected in May for planting out, they are dipped in a 
can of a solution of soft-soap and sulphur. Should red-spider appear in the 
course of the summer, a good dusting of soot is likewise sprinkled over the foliage, 
and they are well watered when dry weather occurs. The soot acts as an excellent 
fertilizer to the plants, besides keeping the red-spider and aphis in check. Early 
in September the plants are potted in a rich friable soil, using plenty of drainage, 
and a little soot and bone-dust on the top of the crocks, the soot preventing 
worms from entering below. After potting, the plants are put into the open air 
in a shady situation, and watering is well attended to in dry weather. In the 
beginning of November the pots are placed in the front of a glass-covered wall, 
and the plants commence flowering in December. A tliree-liglit frame is likewise 
planted, in September, with the strongest of the spare plants, and they keep up a 
succession of flowers in February and March. A few dozens of pots of the Czar, 
the King, and Queen of Violets are likewise grown for variety, but I think the 
Neapolitan is the most fragrant and valuable to have in flower in the winter 
months.— William Tillery, Welbeek. 
HOW TO UTILIZE GARDEN REFUSE. 
|T this season of the year, when the remains of summer growth is being 
thoroughly cleared away throughout the garden and pleasure-ground, 
I have thought that a few hints as to how to appropriate and make the 
best use of it, might prove timely in the case of such of your readers as 
may not have given the subject full consideration. Let one but speak about 
economy, and the way to save a shilling, and everybody will listen. In this 
case, the means to that end, is simply to put the refuse of the garden in the right 
