46 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ February, 
be returned to the greenhouse. The shoots will then be studded with embryo 
flowers, which will be developed in the course of a few weeks ; the plants may 
then be transferred to the conservatory, where they will continue in flower until 
mid-winter. 
This Acacia is propagated with the greatest facility from the fleshy parts of the 
roots, in sand or peat under a glass. Among insect pests, its only enemy is the 
thrips, which must be kept under. This is one of those useful neglected plants 
that should be more generally grown.— G. Westland, Witley Court. 
RENOVATING OLD APPLE TREES. 
S OME years back, when taking charge of a place in the vicinity of London, 
I found numbers of old Apple trees that had borne but few fruit for many 
? years, and these so little worth that my employer decided to remove them 
all, and plant a new orchard. Not liking the idea cf having no apples 
for some years, I begged that they might remain, at least the best of them, telling 
my employer that I thought I could restore them ; and although he smiled at the 
idea, he consented to allow them to stand. 
The trees were of large size, full of small superfluous wood, and literally 
covered with moss. I began by cutting the middle out entirely, and pruning the 
sides very severely. This being done, the trees were scraped to remove the moss 
in part. Fresh lime was then mixed up with hot water, to the consistency of 
paint, and every part was well washed over with it. The tops being finished, 
and knowing my reputation to be at stake, I commenced with the bottoms, by 
having a trench cut round each tree 3 ft. deep and 2 ft. wide within 4 ft. of the 
bole, cutting all roots close off to that distance. On examining the roots, I found 
them to be as dry as pepper ; I therefore took off the top spit, bored large holes 
in the mass, and gave a good soaking of dung-water, filling in the trench with 
lightish turf and road-sand, and mulching over all with good cow-dung. 
The first year I was only rewarded by a promise, but the following one I had 
a truly grand crop of fine fruit, so clear and spotless, that when lying on the 
fruit-room shelves I was frequently asked whether we polished our apples. I may 
add, that my excellent employer was delighted, and when any of his gardening 
friends complained of having unfruitful apple trees, he would reply, w Mine were 
the same two years ago, but I happened to meet with an apple physician, who 
soon cured them all.”—R. Gilbert, Burghley , Stamford. 
NOVELTIES, Etc., AT FLOWER SHOWS. 
HE winter months are never very prolific of new flowers, so that the record 
of these at this season is necessarily limited. At the Royal Horticultural 
Society’s meeting on the 6th December last, a very beautiful high-coloured 
Cyclamen , named Queen of Crimsons (f.c.c.), was shown by Mr. Henry 
Little, of Cambridge Park, Twickenham; this flower, while it gave one of the 
deepest shades seen in these charming winter flowers, was very bright and effective 
