February 21, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
of late owing to the exceptionally spring-like weather we have 
been experiencing during the past week or two, but no doubt 
it will receive a severe check before long. These should be hoed 
through on a fine day with a draw-hoe, drawing the soil well 
round the stems and close up ten the foliage. Sin-plus plants 
which have been wintered in skeleton frames should yet be 
kept in that position ; and afford them light protection when 
the weather threatens to be severe. 
Make further sowings of Celery, Cauliflowers, Lettuce, 
Tomatos, Radishes, and Carrots under glass, Blanch Endive, 
Chicory and Dandelion by placing in the dark, such as a cellar 
or Mushroom house, and sow weekly Mustard and Cress. 
E. Beckett. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
Hardy Trees and Shrubs. 
Spiraeas. —Flowering shrubs now form such a charming 
feature in every garden, and one of the most pleasing and 
distinct kinds is the above, many of which vary much in 
character, both in growth and flower, and are well suited for 
many positions, both in the shrubbery, wild garden, and the 
rockery, the majority of which can be purchased at a very low 
cost from most of our leading nurseries, and this will be found 
a capital season for making a selection and transplanting them. 
Fortunately, they will thrive in almost any kind of soil, in 
any position, and are perfectly hardy. Some of the best and 
most distinct are as follows : —■ 
S multiflora arguta, one of the earliest to flower, and one of 
the most beautiful deciduous shrubs we have. The pure white 
flowers are thickly produced along the slender stems, and very 
little pruning is required. Not nearly so much grown as it 
deserves to be. 
S. ariaefolia. —The habit of this is very distinct, and it shows 
to the best advantage when grown as specimens in the 
shrubbery. The flowers are creamy white in colour and pro¬ 
duced in drooping panicles in the summer. 
S. prunifolia flore pleno. —One of the commonest varieties, 
but certainly veiy desirable, especially for grouping. The 
flowers are double, pure white, and produced all along the 
stems, the foliage assuming some lovely tints in autumn. This 
is benefited by being cut clean to the ground occasionally. 
S. eonfusa.- —Flowers white, produced in clusters early in, 
spring. Has a branching habit, and quickly forms a good-sized 
bush. A veiy desirable variety for forcing. 
S. callosa. —A very distinct variety, with large, flat heads of 
red flowers. Should be cut to the ground annually. The 
white variety, alba, forms a compact bush about 18 in. in, 
height. These are late flowering and worthy of a place in 
every garden. 
S. lindleyana. —One of the most vigorous in growth, reach¬ 
ing a height of 10 ft. to 15 ft. under ordinary cultivation, with 
large panicles of white flowers. The wood is a. pleasing green 
in winter, and the young shoots require to be lightly pruned 
annually. 
S. reevesiana. —An evergreen variety with white flowers in 
early summer. The double-flowered variety is a veiy charming 
J plant. 
S. grandiflora.- —This is more generally known under the 
name of Exocliorda grandiflora, and I have no hesitation in 
saying that it is one of the finest white-flowered shrubs we 
have. The flowers are veiy large, and freely produced in July. 
Commonly called the Pearl Bush. 
S. Douglasii. —One of the best for winter effect, owing to the 
young wood assuming a beautiful warm brown. The flowers' 
are a pleasing pink and produced in summer. Fine for massing, 
and should be pruned to the ground annually about the first 
week in April. 
S. opulifolia aurea.- —The foliage of this is a bright golden, 
and retains its colour all through the season. Flowers white. 
To be seen at its best it should be planted in an open, sunny 
position. 
S. Thunbergii- —A small-growing shrub, with white flowers 
freely produced in spring. Veiy suitable for the rockeiy. 
S. laevigata. —A little-known variety, with distinct upright 
habit. Flowers white, shaded rose. 
S. Anthony Waterer. —One of the veiy best. A dwarf-grow¬ 
ing variety, well suited for the fronts of shrubberies or rock 
gardens. The flowers are a bright rosy pink, veiy floriferous 
and pleasing. 
S. canescens, sometimes known as hypericifolia, is a very 
desirable variety for planting in the woodland walks. Has a 
veiy pleasing habit, and requires to be treated in the same way 
as Douglasii. 
Surface-dressing. —Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Andromedas, 
and the like, whether growing in beds or as single specimens, 
will be greatly benefited if a liberal top dressing of peat, leaf 
mould and sand is applied. Bamboos should receive a good 
dressing of fresh horse droppings, which will materially assist 
them to make fine, stately growths. The transplanting of these 
handsome plants, when any is contemplated, should be deferred 
till quite the end of April or beginning of May, and if performed 
at that time veiy little check will be noticeable. 
A. E. Thatcher, 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
Hardy Fruit. 
Owing to such exceptionally mild weather of late, fruit-buds 
are showing signs of bursting on the Apricot, Peach, and Pear ; 
therefore all necessary pruning and cleansing of the trees 
should be brought to- a speedy conclusion. Likewise planting 
operations should be ended as soon as possible now, or the trees 
have but a poor chance of laying hold of the soil against the 
time warm, and possibly dry, weather sets in. Apply a strawy 
mulch to late-planted trees, as we may yet get severe frosts, 
which often do much injury if the trees are left unprotected at 
the root. The staking of trees, as well as labelling, must have 
due attention ere the wind rocks them to and fro, or the name 
gets obliterated from the nursery label. 
Apricots. — Respecting the Apricot, a certain, amount, of last 
season’s wOod must be laid in, as the finest fruits are usually 
had from this, shortening back to a wood-bud ill-ripened shoots, 
and spurs to two or three basal buds; and where nails and 
shreds are still used, allow plenty of space and see that the nail 
does not come in contact with the branch, or gumming soon 
sets up. Young maiden trees must be shortened back to within 
6 in. of where budded, so as to lay a good foundation for the 
future tree. 
The Peach. —The main crop of fruit is taken from medium 
size shoots of the previous year’s growth; therefore, when any 
thinning of the wood has to' be made', an eye must be kept that 
enough young shoots are retained, removing long, straggling- 
shoots devoid of much blossom, thus endeavouring to keep the 
tree well feathered with fruit-bearing wood from the base as 
is possible. Good fruits are often had from spurs, and some 
should be encouraged where space allows, hut keeping the same 
close to the wall, or much of the heat and shelter to the fruit 
is sacrificed. Wash the trees with a thin mixture of flowers of 
sulphur, soft soap and half a pint of quassia extract into a four- 
gallon pot or pail, filling the same with water and mixing 
thoroughly together, and while in use constantly stirred with 
a stick, or the sulphur settles at the bottom. A small-sized 
painter’s brush is handy for the work, drawing the same towards 
the point of the young shoots', so as. not. to knock off the fruit- 
buds. 
Training. —This requires judgment and experience, and as 
fan-shaped trees are the rule, see that either side is about 
equally balanced by fastening back the main branches first and 
