294 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
.January 9, 18SG. 
The rows of young Apple trees, C ft. or 7 ft. high, 
planted some 60 yds. apart in the Strawberry breaks, 
attract passing travellers in the Dalkieth omnibus in 
the early summer by the novelty of their mass of 
blossom. Why should not the reproach of high walls 
shutting out the landscape from the passing visitant, 
and grievously complained about as specially discordant 
to the surroundings of this neighbourhood by more than 
one Canadian, be thus pleasingly done away ? Has the 
moral training of British homes and School Boards yet 
to be distanced by the known practice of Japanese and 
German urchins who walk daily through such rows 
without touching the fruit ? But the object of thus 
exhibiting such hedgerows is to show that shelter and 
profit may be thus simultaneously attained even now 
in the more secluded parts of an estate. The Apple 
plants were mostly pyramids, of the best hardy growing 
sorts, at six years’ growth of a corresponding height, 
and so richly laden with fruit last summer that some of 
the branches broke. Indeed, the display of the yield 
of fruit exhibited at the late Apple Congress in Edin¬ 
burgh was thoroughly true to nature. Of course, the 
orchardist may also here consult his taste, though that 
be finical, as to species and varieties as. well as shape 
in the six acres or so devoted to young stocks, which 
are here reared true to seed, and usually then taken to 
a larger collection at Pilrig and elsewhere, so that 
cordon and wall-training may be practised. But even 
here standard Apples alternate with pyramids, while 
Victoria Plums and other different varieties are inter¬ 
spersed. 
Pears are not so thriving a crop as in Lanark¬ 
shire, though lines of the “Fair Maggie,” a Clydesdale 
favourite, are grown in this orchard. Amongst other 
notable fruits observed at Liberton were three acres of 
Raspberry-canes, six years planted, including the Prolific, 
Fillbasket, and Baumforth ; many thousand true Goose¬ 
berry stocks interspersed with Currants of various, 
sorrs ; Celery and Rhubarb, besides the Strawberry 
plots from which the place has gained political fame. 
Amongst other seed tests of field crops, some acres of 
Gibson’s Drumhead cabbages looked very healthy ; but 
the display of Rose stocks, of which there are nearly 
26,000 budded and unbudded, will always be a promi¬ 
nent attraction to the visitor. Plants of varieties 
which, when brought from the south of England, 
sickened and died in Edinburgh in severe winters, if 
reared in this nursery stand well through our northern 
winters. 
In the forest tree department the larger available 
space allows interlining to be prosecuted with great 
benefit to the growing seedlings. After a first year’s 
planting, from seed or otherwise, only every second row 
of plants is taken out, thereby allowing those left 
freely to develop root-growth, which is further hastened 
by agitation of the surrounding earth by the spade so 
as to give thorough aeration. Next season they are 
again transplanted, or they may be left for two years, 
when they are again interlined so as to encourage stout 
roots and clean healthy plants. Purchasers may thus 
see that it is more profitable to buy forest seedlings by 
age rather than height. In the same field were strong 
one year old transplanted Tyrolese and native Larch, 
4 ft. high and over, and large breaks of Scotch Fir five 
years old, thrice transplanted, not higher than 12 ins., 
but with greater root-growth, admirably adapted, as 
shown by their present site, for steep hill slopes. A 
large area of Oaks, over 1 ft. high, raised from a 
ton of acorns, testified to the seed-raising capabilities 
of the spot. So, too, did great breaks of young 
Larches, native Highland Pine, Spruce, Oak, Sycamores, 
Beeches, as well as various kinds of recently introduced 
varieties. 
The other nurseries of the firm, specially that of 
Redbraes, are replete with novelties worth attention 
during the planting season. Amongst the specialties 
in ornamental shrubs and trees may be noted fine 
specimens of Prunus Pissardii, the rich leaf-coloured 
Acer Hookeriana, a golden Weeping Ash, and several 
Japanese novelties which appear well suited to our 
northern climate. The large breadths of Hollies, Rho¬ 
dodendrons, Tritoma, and Mahonias afford an admirable 
selection for game covers. The relations betwixt 
Bonnington and Liberton thus help towards the full 
development of sale plants, enabling the purchaser to 
obtain ornamental and forest supplies from the same 
establishment. The central warehouse in Waterloo 
Place has telephonic communication with all the 
nurseries.— A. T., in Forestry. 
Scottish Gardening. 
Hardy Flowering - Plants.— Any who have old 
walls to cover, and who wish to have the benefit of cut 
flowers from them, should plant extensively the beautiful 
Garrya eliptiea, and Jasminum nudiflorum. These do 
well in nearly every locality, and in some southern 
and favoured districts they do without the aid of a wall, 
but in northern latitudes they do excellent when trained 
on buildings, especially facing south. The soil which 
we have found suit them well is sandy loam, but they 
are not fastidious with their food, as they are found in 
some places doing well planted in holes cut out in 
gravel walks, with a spade full or two of good earth 
placed with the roots at planting time. The Jasmines 
do well with strong shoots trained uprightly, and 
the growths of the current season allowed to hang 
loosely. They often flower from November to spring, 
the severest weather never affecting them. A young 
tree now flowering here is very handsome, and its dense 
mass of yellow flowers may be seen at a considerable 
distance. Both of these plants have been much in 
favour with us (for decorative purposes) for many years. 
—M. T. 
Trial of Potatos. —As localities vary in the 
production of Potatos, and the nature of the soil 
affects the tubers very materially both in keeping 
and quality, we have subjected a number of kinds 
to the cooking test. Among the best of our own 
growth are Dalmahoy, Grampian, and Schoolmaster; 
these are of the finest quality and of good appear¬ 
ance. A great favourite in this locality, where 
many acres are cultivated, is Paterson’s Yictoria, and 
some growers keep this kind in good condition till 
late in July. It cannot be denied that Potatos properly 
cooked are very different articles from the tubers'which 
have been prepared by inexperienced hands. Some 
kinds also require a different process in cooking to 
others, some valuable sorts being discarded because 
they do not turn out well after being cooked under the 
usual system, while in skilful hands they are all one 
could desire. Y T e had a kind sent us lately by a gen¬ 
tleman who purchased a quantity to prove them. A 
few were given us by the vendor, who wished us to 
have them cooked, and his recommendation was of the 
highest order. A few were boiled in their jackets—a 
system often practised in Scotland—then peeled and 
dried a little, and in our opinion they were as near 
perfection as anything which we have seen with the 
quality of Potatos. Others, cooked after being peeled, 
were also excellent, and one only was baked in an oven, 
which was equal to the others. The kind is a white, of 
fine shape, with an extra rough skin, the eyes are shal¬ 
low, the flesh very white, and the flavour something 
like that of the Regent class ; it is said to be a good 
cropper. It is seldom that such a distinct Potato 
with such uniform good qualities has come under our 
notice. It is named the Village Blacksmith, and we 
understand was raised by one following that profession 
some miles from here. The sample purchased and sent 
to us was from a stock in the hands of Mr. Don, Florist 
and Fruiterer, Falkirk.— M. T. 
Winter Management of Fruit Trees.— 
Apricots. —Notwithstanding the great amount of 
caution that has been given from time to time as to 
keeping fruit trees (especially trained ones) from being 
crowded with superfluous growths, the evil is still very 
often met with, and cultivators wonder why the buds 
drop off just as the flowers begin to expand during 
spring. It is more than probable that the buds might 
have set fruit had the treatment of the trees during 
the previous season been such as would have allowed 
free action of sun and air among the foliage and young 
bearing-wood to mature the buds. Instead of the 
growth being green and “ pithy,” it should have been 
brown and hard. No fruit tree suffers so readily from 
unripened wood as Apricots ; disease follows closely 
after gross growth, crowded and undeveloped foliage. 
Root-pruning. —It may be necessary to go to the 
roots to reverse the habit of the trees, and if they are 
growing in rich sloppy soil, lifting—wholly or partially 
—may be done before growth commences. Young 
trees may be lifted altogether, and re-planted above the 
level of the surrounding soil, using good clean loam 
mixed with a quantity of calcareous material thoroughly 
rammed before the roots are re-placed in their per¬ 
manent quarters. Old trees, which may have spread 
then- roots far outwards and downwards, are more 
safely dealt with by the piecemeal system of lifting. It 
is much better to cut the bottom roots clean off than 
allow them to destroy the fruit-bearing properties—or, 
may be, the health—of the trees ; but before taking 
such a course, it is necessary to examine the upper foot 
or more of soil, and see what amount of roots are there 
for the support of the tree, and remove the mischief¬ 
working feeders downwards accordingly. The old soil 
removed from a portion of the surface, and replaced 
with healthy loam made firm, then coated with 2 ins. 
or 3 ins. of rotten manure, will do much to improve 
Apricots. A firm bottom for old trees, as recommended 
for young ones, is of primary importance. No trees 
are more impatient of damp cold soil than Apricots. 
Pruning need not be done hurriedly, and on well- 
managed trees it should be of minimum extent, as 
summer disbudding and stopping, followed by autumn 
thinning, is the proper system to insure success. The 
less cutting of wood there is during the winter pruning, 
the more likely 7- are the trees to escape disease which is 
so prevalent mostly everywhere. As Apricots bear their 
fruit on the young growths of the previous season, also 
on spurs artificially formed, or what are known as 
natural spurs—shoots very short, stiff, and full of fruit 
buds—a careful selection of those should be retained, 
those which are close to the walls and regularly 
placed being the most preferable ; all tiny and worth¬ 
less sprays should be cut away, and every snag and bit 
of dead or dying wood be removed. All outward 
growing shoots which may have been inadvertently 
left, should be removed, and rather err on the side of 
thinness of bearing wood than otherwise. Wood which 
has been left long, and cannot be advantageously laid 
in without crowding the tree, should be well-shortened 
back. Leading branches trained regularly over the 
walls, and the small side-shoots and spurs kept equi¬ 
distant and close to the walls, renders the general 
management very simple. 
Fan Trained trees are generally preferred, but 
those horizontally trained and spurred are very satis¬ 
factory. We know of an immense tree managed in this 
way, and it produces great quantities of fruit, small 
but veiy useful, especially for jam and culinary 
purposes. We think this is the Breda Apricot ; the 
tree is of great age, and has next to no attention in a 
cultural sense. The kinds which we find most 
generally cultivated are Moorpark and Shipley’s 
(Blenheim), which is good for northern districts, as it 
comes in early, and ripens well in most places ; the 
first named comes to perfection only in favoured 
localities in Scotland, except where portable glass 
protections are afforded. Glass left on Apricots all the 
year round, however well ventilated, induces the growth 
of spray, and the trees' degenerate. We are not sure if 
this is applicable to the small early kinds. When 
fastening the shoots to the walls they should be tied to 
the nails or wires, so that they do not touch the metal, 
giving the ties a twist to keep the shoots clear ; plenty 
of room to let the shoots increase in bulk should be 
allowed. We always have objected to the use of shreds, 
as being slovenly in appearance and causing the 
drawing of nails. — JL T. 
Scottish Horticultural Association. — 
Oil Tuesday evening this association held its tenth 
meeting of the session at No. 5, St. Andrews Square, 
Edinburgh—Mr. Milne, of Messrs. Dickson & Sons, in 
the chair. A paper on “ ine Borders—Inside versus 
Outside,” contributed by Mr. William Priest, gardener, 
Eglington Castle, was read by Mr. Munro, the secre¬ 
tary. Mr. Priest gave it as his opinion that, for early 
forcing, "V ine Borders should be entirely confined to the 
inside, whereas for intermediate and late-growing Vines 
he preferred an outside border. He also gave a practi¬ 
cal exposition ot A ine culture and the formation of 
borders generally. The paper was afterwards discussed, 
and a vote of thanks awarded to Mr. Priest. The ex¬ 
hibits on the table included a fine fruit of Stephanotis 
floribunda sent by Mr. Mackinnon from the county of 
Galway, which received a cultural certificate ; a number 
of hardy flowers grown in the open air, and forwarded 
by Messrs. Dickson & Sons as showing the mildness of 
the present season ; some specimens of dried plants 
gathered by Mr. Redmond, banker, Antrim, which 
were awarded a certificate of merit; and a large and 
well-conditioned spray of Chrysanthemum Elaine, from 
Mr. Sinclair, East Linton. Votes of thanks to the 
chairman and the exhibitors closed the proceedings. 
