November 12, 1887. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
167 
British Isles, will be of excellent quality, and when 
procurable in sufficient quantity will be largely used in 
the arts and manufactures. 
The head-quarters of this tree, Professor Macoun 
tells us, may be said to be the north-west coast of the 
United States. In the Columbia Valley it forms vast 
forests, and in the valley of the Beaver Creek it attains 
large dimensions, specimens 150 ft. in height, and with 
a diameter frequently of over 10 ft., being not at all 
uncommon. At an altitude of 0,000 ft., on the line of 
the Canadian Pacific Railway, it occurs as a mere 
shrub, but gradually increases in size as it descends the 
hill-sides, until, in the fertile valleys and along the 
river-sides, it attains to full dimensions, and towers 
upwards for fully 150 ft., with straight and beautifully 
clean stems that are branchless for nearly half their 
height.— A. D. Webster. 
-- 
Hardening ffoTES from 
C0TLAND. 

Fruit Tree Planting. —It has been very notice¬ 
able in certain positions in the north that the planting 
and lifting of fruit trees cannot be manipulated so early 
as we have often seen in years past, by reason of the 
length of time many of the trees are retaining their 
leaves in a green state. Some with us are (Nov. 8th) 
quite green in foliage, and not casting a leaf; but 
growth has been suspended for a long period, and buds 
are bristling all over the branches. Still, if we had 
much planting, no outward conditions would deter us 
from the execution of the work, now that the weather 
is so favourable. We like to place among and around 
the roots fresh loam, not at all in a very moist con¬ 
dition, and make the whole thoroughly firm. When 
trees arrive from a nursery all damaged roots should 
be at once removed, and a sharp knife used to cut 
clean all parts in a rough state. Dead wood, snags or 
worthless spurs should have no place on any fruit tree, 
and when such are left (by neglect, of course) evil 
tendencies sooner or later manifest themselves in the 
form of canker and dead branches. An evil caused by 
turning manure downwards is fraught with much 
mischief, by inducing the roots to descend, instead of 
keeping them up to the influences of sun and air. If 
sub-soils are free and wholesome there need be little 
dread, except by too robust and fruitless growth. It 
is seldom one can allow deep rooting in northern parts 
with advantage, even when circumstances appear most 
favourable. It is astonishing how well the system of 
placing trees on semi-circular ridges in the district 
where we reside was understood by planters, who did 
their work with consummate care more than a century 
ago. The practice, from position and climatical 
reasons, was of great moment. The present time is 
most favourable for renovating orchards with new trees 
and clearing out dead wood. Moss-covered bark should 
not exist.— Caledonian. 
Turf-laying, &c.—The present time is a favour¬ 
able period for renovating old lawns, by turfing over 
spaces which have been levelled, or forming new ones. 
It is always admitted, by novice and expert alike, 
that a well-kept lawn is a most ornamental adjunct to 
any residence, and the wonder is how some, utterly 
devoid of taste, can cut up a fine green sward into 
formal beds without seeing the defacement they create. 
A clear, open space where the eye can range uninter¬ 
ruptedly into an open country is an achievement of 
landscape gardening which gives a charm quite the 
reverse of space being crammed with trees (specimens 
however handsome), views interrupted, and often the 
sunlight of heaven excluded. When space in front of 
dwellings is closed up by trees and shrubs, one is ready 
to come to the conclusion that there is something 
obnoxious to the eye beyond. It has always appeared 
to us how alive to the great principle of extension, 
of domains apparently, the great “Capability” Brown 
must have been. In some of the grand parks where the 
results of his skill are now seen, it is indicated 
that the great planter must, when contemplating his 
plans, have looked a century beyond his time of existence 
on the fine pictures which render his name immortal. 
There are others we know still holding honourable 
positions who have acted on this “anticipating” 
principle ; and once, when consulting with one whose 
great name must long live after his successful labours 
have ceased, we were urged to place good Cedars of 
Lebanon in prominent positions where they would, in 
the course of long years, monopolise the space where 
other secondary trees would, be cleared to give the 
grand specimens prominence. One can easily realise 
the grandness of this idea, when they have looked 
upon the gigantic specimen Cedars at Campsey A.sli, 
Blenheim, and elsewhere. We have extensive park 
planting in hand at present, and retain with 
pleasing recollections our honoured preceptor’s advice. 
But one regret may sometimes be experienced, and that 
is, when such planting falls into the hands of the 
inexperienced, and the shelter planting so essential to 
success is neglected, failure follows; and the trees 
which were to adorn the landscape as permanent 
specimens are, w’ith all and sundry, allowed to form a 
jungle. We know where much of this may be seen. 
Proprietors are sometimes possessed of vague ideas 
regarding thinning, and those who would do them 
j ustice and credit are powerless in their desire to do what 
is right. Thinning may be taken in hand at once ; 
choose the trees or shrubs which are to be retained, 
and clear all growth from them which prevents their 
full development. In well-appointed plantations and 
shrubberies, skilful hands should be employed more 
or less adjusting and regulating choice trees and shrubs, 
at least bi-y early, if not annually, and where specimens 
can have clear quarters and be allowed to develop 
their proportions with a well-kept lawn surrounding 
them, they will be natural pictures of rare beauty. 
Reverting to lawns, it is well to note that they may be 
greatly improved it a mixture of one part bone meal, 
half-a-part soot, and six parts soft loam} 7 soil is well 
mixed and spread evenly over the grassy surface, 
enough to blind the sward, and which will be washed to 
the roots of the grass during the winter. Lawn sand 
has done excellent service on some lawns which we 
have seen, by destroying weeds and leaving the grass 
uninjured. We have used this extensively on lawns, 
and also for the destruction of moss on walks. We 
also value Thomson’s vine and plant manure as a lawn 
renovator. — Caledonian. 
Strawberries in Pots.— It is seldom that we 
have seen the forcing portion of Strawberries in better 
ripened condition than they are this season. The pots 
being crammed with roots, and the crowns standing 
up boldly and finely one cannot expect failure in either 
quantity or quality. It is true, however, that failures 
often take place under the most promising conditions—• 
a fertile source of which is that of fallowing the roots 
to grow through the holes of the pots—grievous results 
sometimes occuring from the cause indicated. If such 
a misfortune has happened, a partial remedy may be 
achieved by removing all the roots which have mis¬ 
behaved outside the pot, putting the drainage crock 
over the hole of the pot, and re-placing the ball of 
roots firmly in the pots. Yery early forcing with such 
plants should not be attempted, and before subjecting 
the plants to any warmth they should be plunged into 
a gentle bottom heat, keeping a current of air passing 
over the crowns all the while to retard growth. No 
liquid manure under such circumstances can be given 
with impunity till the fruit is set. The storing of the 
pots for winter has diversity of opinion. It does not 
matter much which system is adopted if the favoured 
one is not abused. Dryness by allowing those stacked 
in ridges to remain too long in their elevated position 
is a common evil, and when plants are kept under 
glass during winter they are liable to suffer from 
coddling them, thus preventing natural rest. Our own 
fancy is to adopt a good open square of ground and 
pack the pots firmly together in dry litter or fresh 
leaves. Though the plants receive frost, snow and 
rain, they do not suffer therefrom.— Caledonian. 
Strawberry Plants as Edgings. — The late 
Mr. Geo. Ewin once recommended that Strawberry 
plants should be used as edgings, the Hautbois, and 
particularly the red and white Alpines, being very 
suitable for the purpose. He more particularly urged 
that they should be employed as edgings to fruit and 
kitchen gardens. He held that they combine beauty 
and utility in no ordinary degree. Such edgings need 
no more attention than those formed of box, and they 
have the advantage of making a return for the ground 
they occupy. Mr. Ewin said that he had used the 
stronger-growing kinds with advantage ; they may be 
planted 6 ins. or 8 ins. apart in well-manured ground. 
An objection may be urged on the ground that such 
edgings do not keep the soil from the walks ; but the 
borders need not be higher than the walks, and Box 
and other plant edgings that might be named are open 
to the same objection. In the autumn the fruiting 
sprays of Alpine Strawberries may be used with ad¬ 
vantage in giving character to the flower-stands, vases, 
&c. 
The Amateurs’ Garden. 
The Greenhouse. —From now until after the new 
year, at least, the great arch-enemies of indoor plants 
are damp, frost and fogs; and it is questionable 
whether the first-mentioned does not do the greatest 
damage, especially amongst soft-wooded plants such as 
Pelargoniums, Lobelias, Echeverias, Chinese Primulas, 
Cinerarias, and various other subjects, whether bedding 
or otherwise, that are now crowded into small space to 
stand the winter. Every favourable opportunity 
should be taken advantage of to give ventilation, so 
as to dispel any damp air that may be in the house. 
It is unavoidable where watering has to be done more 
or less daily. Less of this will be required at this dull 
period of the year than at any other ; but it must not 
on that account be overlooked, as amongst a collection 
of plants there are always some that, if the roots are in 
an active growing state or pot-bound, soon abstract the 
moisture, and if neglected suffer more or less permanent 
damage, according to their kind. Hence there is even 
now an absolute necessity to use the water-pot; while, 
on the other hand, it must not be used indiscriminately, 
as may be done in summer with impunity. The dry 
atmosphere in summer causes an immense and constant 
evaporation, independent of that absorbed by the roots 
of the plants grown ; therefore, if the drainage is in 
good working condition, some plants at that time 
require watering once or twice a day. 
Now, however, seeing that evaporation is at a low 
ebb, great discrimination must be exercised in the use 
of the watering-pot; and here comes in the difficult 
point in plant culture by amateurs. Beginners often 
ask the question when or how frequently plants require 
water. No definite directions, unfortunately, can be 
given, as it is entirely a matter of discrimination on 
the part of the cultivator, and which may be learned 
by careful observation and practical experience. A 
good plan to test the need for water is to tap the pot 
with the knuckles, or even with some hard instrument. 
Should the pot ring wuth a sharp sound water is 
required, as the clear ring indicates that the soil has 
shrunk somewdiat from the sides of the pots owing to 
its being dry. If, on the other hand, the sound is 
dull or heavy, it is an indication that the soil is quite 
wet, and requires no moistening. Furthermore, if this 
moist condition should continue for any length of time, 
it may be concluded that there is something wwong 
with the drainage, which should be seen to at once, 
especially if the plant is a valuable one. The better 
plan to pursue under these conditions is to turn the 
plant bodily out of the pot, removing the crocks, but 
in no way interfering with the ball of roots, unless it 
is irremediably bad, and after putting drainage in a 
clean dry pot of the same size as that just emptied 
return the plant with the soil as intact as possible. 
By a little careful attention the beginner will soon 
learn to discriminate between those plants that require 
watering and those that do not. At this season 
work of that kind should be done in the morning, so 
that all superfluous moisture may be dried up before 
night. 
It may be necessary at times—especially during a 
long continuance of dull, moist, or wet weather—to. 
light a gentle fire occasionally in order to dispel the 
damp. This is also best done in the morning, in order 
that the ventilators, top and bottom, may be opened 
to allow’ the escape of the moisture. Fogs, should they 
get into the house when prevalent, may be dispelled in 
the same way. When firing is thus applied, or to 
prevent the ingress of frost during severe w’eather, more 
watering will be required, especially in the case of 
plants over or near the hot-water pipes or other heating 
apparatus ; and in this case the beginner will have to 
exercise greater vigilance, otherwise those plants, if 
overlooked, will soon get ruined. 
Chrysanthemums. —The results of the labour in 
connection with these will soon show itself, if it has 
not already done so. The incurved varieties are, as a 
rule, later this season than usual, or than the Japanese 
kinds ; but unless there is any special object in view 
they need not be unduly hurried, as a greater con¬ 
tinuance of the display will be obtained where the 
flower-heads are allowed to expand gradually. With 
this intention, the house where they are sheltered should 
be well ventilated night and day, unless, in the latter 
case, there be any danger from night frosts. The 
plants should also be arranged so as to receive a maximum 
of light without actual danger of the delicate florets 
being injured by strong sun. There is little danger of 
this occurring now without the use of shading, provided 
that proper ventilation is maintained. A free circu¬ 
lation of air amongst the plants is of primary importance, 
and that, together with a free admission of light, will 
keep the foliage healthy and green to the last.— F. 
