68 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ March, 
Alphand’s Les Promenades de Paris —a magnificent book, which we hope shortly 
to notice more fully—is a somewhat novel species, and as will be seen by the 
accompanying figure, is of slender, erect habit, with long, drooping, slender 
pinnate leaves, having the stalks spiny, and bearing closely-set long linear 
leaflets, the spine-bearing rachis being lengthened out at the apex into a whip- 
like tail, which is also spiny. This beautiful species is a native of the Philip¬ 
pine Islands. To keep them in a healthy state, the plants should be potted in 
a compost of good loam and leaf-mould, in about equal parts, the pots being 
well drained, since a copious supply of water is necessary to them in the season 
of active growth.—T. M. 
FRUIT CULTURE.—MARCH. 
S HE planting of Fruit Trees may still be proceeded with till the end of the 
month, though it should not, if avoidable, be deferred so late in the season. 
UAv Standards and other tall trees lately planted should be properly secured to 
stakes, to prevent their being blown about with the wind. If not already 
done, give all newly planted trees a good mulching of rotten dung. Continue 
the pruning and nailing of Wall Trees at every favourable opportunity, and 
endeavour to bring it to a close as early as possible, as the buds are in a very 
forward state, owing to the long continuance of open mild weather. Preparations 
for protecting the trees when in blossom should be made at once. Next to glass, 
perhaps the best and most effective protection is afforded by a wooden coping, 
with stout canvas so attached that the trees can be covered or uncovered at 
pleasure. Whatever description of protecting material is used, it should be so 
arranged that it can be easily put on or off the trees. In mild weather the trees 
should be fully exposed, but in sharp frosty weather and during storms of snow, 
hail, or sleet, they should be kept covered during the day as well as night. Finish 
pruning Gooseberries , Currants , and Filberts. Raspberries are best grown in rows 
4 ft. to 5 ft. apart, and trained to wires ; see that the canes are properly tied to the 
wires. Fruit trees of all kinds may now be grafted. Bullfinches are very 
destructive to the buds of Plums and Gooseberries at this season. 
In-Doors. —The principal summer crop of Pines will now be in bloom or 
a showing ” fruit, and should have a dry atmosphere, with a temperature of 
from 65° to 70° at night, and 80° to 85° during the day, with an increase of 
12° or 15° by sun-heat. Keep the plants well watered at the roots, and give 
air freely when the weather permits. The plants for autumn fruiting should now 
be shifted into their fruiting-pots, and the bottom-heat should be renewed before 
they are plunged, if it requires it. Take advantage of fine weather to shift the 
whole of the succession stock; avoid over-potting ; the smaller the shift at this 
season the better ; later on, when the plants have made fine, strong, healthy 
roots, more liberal shifts may be .given with advantage. Pines do well 
in a variety of soils ; turfy loam, with a little rotten dung, or peat earth, 
answers well ; see they have a bottom-heat of 85°, and in plunging, give them 
