570 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
May 10, 1890. 
There is a bright side, though, even to this, for the 
increased vigour of fruit trees everywhere, and shrubs 
too, is a sure indication of future good, and happy is 
the man who sees things in this light, and trusts to the 
future to recoup him for the current season’s failure. 
Agriculture will certainly look up here presently, for 
an excellent appointment has been made by the Govern¬ 
ment. In the person of Mr. H. C. L. Anderson, M.A., 
they have selected a most capable energetic man to fill 
the position of Director of Agriculture—a man from 
whom much may be expected, judging from his past 
career. He is also a vice-president of the Horticultural 
Society of N. S. W., and is quite at home in the sister 
science. All who know this gentleman predict a 
brilliant career, and rely on much service from him in 
the position which he has been called upon to fill.— 
J. B. E. 
Homebush, N. S. AV., March 25th .—This is verily 
a land of droughts and floods. AYe are just experiencing 
the latter. The destruction on the rivers throughout 
the coast district must be something terrible. It can 
mean nothing short of ruination to many of the farmers. 
In some cases portions of the farms with houses have 
been swept away. Up to the beginning of last month 
we had a very dry time since spring, which following 
on the month’s drought which terminated with a 
deluge last Queen’s Birthday, has been pretty rough on 
fruit and Rose trees, &c., as they have not had a 
chance to pull themselves round. Everything is now 
growing vigorously, and will continue to do so for two 
months or more, so we may hope for better times next 
season. 
Notwithstanding all drawbacks we had last October 
perhaps the most successful spring show ever held in 
Sydney; but the Autumn Fruit and Dahlia Show, 
which took place last month, was unfortunately a 
financial failure, though the display was certainly very 
good, especially in the floral section, and despite the 
wet weather which prevailed. Altogether enthusiasm 
in this direction is limited to a very small section of the 
community, and the Horticultural Society finds it 
difficult to make headway. 
Your valuable, and, by me, highly appreciated, pub¬ 
lication comes regularly to hand, and in it I find a 
considerable amount of instruction, and occasionally a 
note which provokes a smile. The discovery of the 
virtues pf AYattle-bark by the enterprising Yankee, as 
narrated on p. 310 of the number for Feb. 1st, recalls 
an incident to my mind. This material has been known 
to English tanners for many years under the name of 
Mimosa Bark. In this market it is always termed 
AYattle. A shipment came to the hammer one day in 
London, catalogued under the latter name. Buyers 
seemed very suspicious of the intruder, and it did not 
fetch a high figure. Evidently there is something in a 
name. 
I believe many species of Australian Acacia produce 
tannin. Two species grow largely about here, and do 
not object to a good soil, or even a fair amount of 
moisture. One of them (Acacia decurrens ?) has a 
beautiful effect when in bloom, the flowers being soft 
yellow, and the pinnate foliage a deep green. The 
bloom is also highly fragrant. 
In the number for Feb. 8th I see the cankering pro¬ 
clivities of the Marechal Niel Rose referred to. On 
account of this defect we find that nine out of 
ten plants, if not more, on their own roots never do 
any good. AYorked on a stock which we know as the 
American Noisette, it is perfectly successful. It is 
also said to do well on the Banksian, and I am told 
there is a very old tree in the east of Sydney worked 
on this stock, and still in perfect health. 
I am much interested in reading the controversy 
about housing the Royal Horticultural Society. In 
our humble way we are labouring under a similar 
. cloud, and so far our means will not allow of our 
attempting anything in the way of experimental 
grounds. However, we try to think we are advancing, 
and may yet see horticultural literature taken up in a 
real, thorough-hearted way. This, after all, I believe, 
might have a more decided effect on the community 
than all efforts in other directions. The taste is grow¬ 
ing, but wants educating.— C. Bennett. 
Begonia, Lord Salisbury. —The flowers of this 
variety are orange-scarlet and single. The general 
outline is nearly circular, a fact due to the width of 
the outer petals, for the inner ones are very much 
smaller. The leaves are broad, oblique, and of a dark 
velvety green colour. It is one of the Messrs. Cannell’s 
seedlings. 
PLANTING TREES AND SHRUBS. 
Tree planting forms a very pleasing and at times 
profitable operation in gardening, and merits the best 
attention that may be bestowed upon it. AVhere 
valuable trees and shrubs of great size are to be planted, 
it is in many cases difficult to command the necessary 
appliances, as also the materials in. the way of soils to 
suit the different subjects under consideration, and it is 
a matter frequently of almost utilitarian consideration 
to plant satisfactorily from an effective, and at the same 
time safe point of view. Soils and localities vary so 
much that what may grow in one locality with the 
freedom of weeds, may in another not many miles 
distant positively refuse to grow even with the very best 
attention and soil, &c., brought to the liking of the 
plant as near as possible. Altitudes and latitudes, as 
also the chemical formation of the soil are less or more 
responsible for the success or non-success of many 
plants, while careful reasoning in many intricate 
details may form the fundamental principle of real 
success. 
Planting large specimens of trees or shrubs entails a 
deal of anxiety, not to say arduous work, and the most 
has to be made of very peculiar circumstances at times. 
In the lifting and removal of large or small trees or 
shrubs it is needless to say great care must be exercised 
in preserving all the roots possible ; and afterwards in 
seeing they do not get twisted and broken in transit. 
Before any tree or shrub is lifted, the pit should in every 
case be ready to receive it, care being taken to remove any 
unsuitable subsoil to a depth sufficient to allow a layer 
of soil to suit the requirements of the plants, in every 
case making it much larger than the root or ball it is 
about to receive, as nothing is so adverse to the 
chances of success as planting in a pit just large enough 
to receive the root or ball and no more. The best soil 
procurable should be placed under, over, and amongst 
the roots, taking care to fill interstices, so that every 
fibre may have something to take hold of, using a fork 
and blunt-pointed stick to pack all, and where neces¬ 
sary washing all home with a copious supply of clean 
water, leaving the finishing until the latter has fairly 
subsided, otherwise a pasty finish over the roots will 
ensue, and in all probability be the means of the 
surface roots not starting, and possibly the cause of 
absolute failure. 
In making all steady—or, to use a nautical phrase, 
“all taut”—nothing suits better than straining three 
wires at equal distances by first driving in stout stakes 
about 3 ft. or more in length, according to the size or 
weight of the tree, driving them in an oblique fashion, 
perhaps from 8 ft. to 12 ft. or more out from the stem 
of the tree, giving the wires a good angle. Place a 
bandage of wax-cloth, or anything to prevent chafing, 
round the stem a little above the middle ot its height, 
passing the wires round and fixing them, at the same 
time giving them a twist round the stakes already 
driven half home, and tightening up by driving these 
fair all round until all are as tight as fiddle-strings. 
Let the wind blow as it may, it will have no effect on 
the trees thus secured. Stakes of any length or strength 
will bear no comparison to this method of securing a 
tree against wind, as, let one be ever so careful with 
long stakes or props, a certain amount of oscillation is 
inevitable ; while those secured by wires only oscillate 
from the wires to the top, the roots being quite steady 
—the greatest consideration of all. This method of 
securing, it will be observed, is quite practicable in all 
tree planting, large or small, and where wind is trouble¬ 
some nothing suits better, as each wire tightens its 
neighbour, although the wind should be whirling in all 
directions. 
After planting large specimens, it is advisable to 
attend to watering and syringing in dry, parching 
weather. As a prevention to rapid evaporation, this 
is best done in the afternoon or evening, watering 
copiously, not in mere dribblets. The watering of any 
plant in dribblets is something like giving a man merely 
the name of a meal ; his hunger is not appeased, but 
he feels hungrier than if he had had nothing, while he 
feels his perhaps robust frame, in place of being 
strengthened, decidedly enfeebled. The same holds 
good in syringing ; if only partially done it is like a 
man’s evening ablution only partially done—he does 
not feel much benefited by it. In watering, then, 
give plenty, so that every root may be reached, and 
thus, in place of six or eight gallons, multiply thosa 
figures by five, ten, or even twenty, in very porous 
soils. However, there is no golden rule for watering, 
gardeners in this respect being guided by the supposed 
requirements of the plants under their care, and with 
practice, and a thorough knowledge of the soil and 
other natural and atmospherical conditions, they almost 
invariably succeed. A3 a believer in the old adages, 
“ Nothing succeeds like success,” and “ AYhat’s worth 
doing at all is worth doing well,” I have no belief in 
courting failures, and therefore rigidly adhere to a 
thoroughly prepared soil, staking, watering, as de¬ 
scribed above, in each case modifying the conditions to 
the requirements of the plants. 
Syringing can scarcely be overdone ; and thus it is 
well to have an engine at command (garden engine) in 
the absence of a hose-pipe — which is not always 
accessible—with which to give any newly-planted trees 
and shrubs a thorough bath at least once in twenty- 
four hours when the weather is hot and parching, 
taking care that every side of the plants may be reached, 
especially the main stems and all leading limbs. This 
is is sometimes impossible through lack of water, or 
time even where planting has been performed on a 
large scale. AA r hen circumstances of this description 
are regarded as insuperable, the next best thing is to 
wrap the stems and leading limbs of doubtful subjects 
with haybands, saturating them with water as applied, 
and covering all over with dry mats or sacking to 
prevent evaporation. 
Planting young trees and shrubs is a comparatively 
simple matter ; and this fact, coupled with the frequent 
happy-go-lucky modes of planting, and hurrying on 
the work, is too often the cause of failures, where it 
might be otherwise with an ordinary amount of care 
and attention in the preparation of the pits, watering, 
&c. In the planting of large trees and shrubs, what 
might justly be termed “roomy” pits to receive the 
roots are of primary importance, as in this way the soil 
is open all round, thus facilitating their ramification, if 
need be, in every direction whenever growth moves 
them. 
In the planting of shrubberies, all should be trenched 
and well manured, with the addition of suitable loam, 
peat, &c., for the various subjects at planting time. 
Rhododendrons, for instance, like a compost of two 
parts peat to one of well-decomposed cow-manure and 
*and, and Ghent Azaleas like a similar compost; in 
short, a liberal mixture of loam—say, equal to the 
peat recommended above—and a quantity of burnt 
wood-ashes, ordinary road grit, sand, and a third of 
good short manure, will be found a suitable compost 
for most of our choice shrubbery plants, including 
Cupressus, Biotas, Retinosporas, Abies, Piceas, Pinus, 
&c. It must not be inferred, however, that this 
compost is absolutely necessary in every place. On the 
contrary, there are many soils admirably suited to the 
growth of the majority of trees and shrubs without any 
artificial preparation ; but where healthy luxuriant 
growth, and consequently pleasing results, are of 
primary importance, these matters must be attended to, 
and the various plants studied as to their likes and 
dislikes. 
The same also may be said of situation. It is a gross 
mistake to plant choice trees and shrubs in any corner 
or out-of-the way place, regardless of choice in their 
distribution. Any draughty corner, for instance, is 
difficult to plant satisfactorily, but I find Hollies (Ilex), 
especially I. laurifolia, do very well, also Evergreen 
Oak (Quercus ilex), Pinus austriaca, and P. montana. 
The latter two planted young will be found suitable 
plants, and though these may not make rapid growth 
in such a position as one might like, still they will 
hold their own against heavy odds. Shady situations 
under trees, or places inaccessible to sunshine, may be 
very successfully planted with Ivies (Hedera) of sorts, 
the common green kinds being most suitable, Gaul- 
theria Shallon, Periwinkle (Tinea) of sorts, M.ahonia 
(Berberis Aquifolium) and some of the finer Berberis if 
the shade is not too dense, and any of the Euonymus, 
as also common Holly. Ivies and Vincas will grow 
under very dense shade—in fact, might be used 
extensively under large trees where the surface may 
refuse to grow grass or moss. All the Laurel family 
succeed fairly well under slight shade, but are rather 
fastidious as to their situation, and will readily show 
marked disapprobation at their being planted in a high 
and dry place, or where there may be draughts. Easily 
grown as they are, they are not at home under those 
conditions ; but planted where they may enjoy sufficient 
moisture and shelter they are most useful in many 
ways, and may be formed into fine hedges, or in¬ 
dividualised and clipped to suit the taste of the owner 
or cultivator. 
Yews of all sorts are difficult to lift and plant with 
any degree of certainty, and it is well to bear this in 
mind and not use too much freedom in cutting the 
roots of large specimens in the process of lifting. 
Araucarias, too, require the greatest care in this 
