1872. ] 
FLOWER-GARDEN MANAGEMENT.—AUGUST. 
185 
never bore any before ; and if it formerly bore some, there will henceforward be 
considerably more, whenever the seasons permit. This free-flowering and 
seeding will again tend greatly to keep the upper growth and extension of the 
head and branches at a minimum. The loss of a single barrow of soil withdrawn 
may not always produce the full effect desired ; but two or three certainly will. 
If the tree be a Lime or an Elm, ten to one but it puts forth many vigorous 
sucker-like shoots from the exposed surfaces. If so, let them remain ; every one 
of them will deposit its contribution of matured descending sap and alburnous 
matter upon the main root from which it springs ; and will intercept its pro¬ 
portion of ascending sap from rising towards the head, and so help to prevent 
the tree from becoming taller than we wish. Where high hedge-banks have 
been thrown down, but the hedge-row trees have been left standing in a park or 
paddock, how bold, majestic, and picturesque the development of their root-swell 
becomes ! The trees have a hard struggle for a time, to replace by deposit of 
fresh wood the weight and protection of the hedge-bank, which formerly shielded 
their bases ; but in time the balance of vegetation is restored, and then they go 
ahead again at the summit, as of yore. 
When therefore we wish to keep a tree permanently at a minimum of upward 
growth, we must from time to time repeat the removal of some earth from its 
base and main root-space ; and w r e shall soon perceive that this root-space is 
becoming itself a most interesting feature of rugged and unwonted character. 
The topic has not been discussed, so far as I have seen, since Matthew wrote his 
admirable work on the Cultivation of Naval Timber , and counselled the exposure 
of the main roots of Larch trees in Scotland, to cause them to acquire abnormal 
proportions, and become fit for knee-timber to be used in ship-building.—E. Carr 
Ellison, in Gardeners’ Chronicle (abridged). 
FLOWER-GARDEN MANAGEMENT.—AUGUST. 
f F the weather be fine, the flower-garden will now look very gay, and every 
effort should be made to keep up as complete an appearance of neatness 
f and high keeping as possible, by picking off dead leaves and flowers, and 
allowing no straggling growths or anything tending to give an untidy 
appearance, to remain. Cut out the decaying stalks of herbaceous and other 
plants, and continue to tie up all tall-growing plants that require it; hoe, stir, and 
dress borders ; attend well to the watering of plants in baskets, vases, &c. If not 
already done, plant out seedling Wallflowers , Sweet Williams , Rockets , Antir¬ 
rhinums, and all other hardy Biennials and Perennials into the borders they are 
intended to flower in next year. Prick out Pink pipings as soon as they are 
rooted, and continue to layer Carnations and Picotees. Cuttings of Pansies for 
the principal spring bloom should now be put in under glasses in a shaded 
situation. Get in a stock of cuttings of the principal Bedding plants as soon as 
possible. Cuttings of the different kinds of Pelargoniums should be put in as 
soon as they can be obtained without detriment to the beds; these strike best in 
