August 8, 190 $. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
673 
Rivers’ Nectarine should have superfluous wood cut away 
where at all crowded, removing those shoots that have borne 
fruit first; that is, if not required for extension of the tames, 
and give them a thorough washing with the garden engine or 
hose, to clear away filth of any kind. The same precautions 
are necessary as regards enemies to the fruits, as stated for 
Apricots. Trees carrying full crops should be assisted with 
manui’ial waterings until on the verge of ripening, but keeping 
it away from those that are making good fruiting wood for 
another year, young trees especially, which are prone to grow 
strongly. 
Plums.— Early fruiting varieties come in useful for tarts 
now that Raspberries are gone over in most gardens. Early 
Favourite, Rivers’ Early Prolific, Early Orleans, and the Czar- 
are among the' first to ripen, and thinning these out. for present 
use will give those remaining a chance to get larger, though, 
unfortunately, the crop appears a. light one in most places, yet 
we have more old Greengages than for some years past, and, 
luckily, up to the present, few wasps have shown themselves, 
because they soon make a raid on these when once ripening 
.begins. 
The Grape Vine. —We have had hut few- weeks’ suitable 
weather for this fruit out of doors, and it is well to look over 
the bunches where a crop has been secured, and that the 
berries have space enough to swell without being unduly 
crowded. White varieties should have the bunches exposed toi 
the sun, pinching out any laterals, and tying aside any principal 
leaves likely to shade the fruit, as every ray of sun is required 
to ripen up the fruit even in our wannest summers. Forked 
sticks are useful to keep the bunches clear of the wall, if 
fastened to the wires. Drainings from the cow-yard are asi 
beneficial to outdoor Vines as they are to' those under glass, and 
those carrying a crop should have one or two applications put 
on before nearing the ripening stage, and if such showery 
weather prevails as now, the- end of July, it wall assist to wash 
in the nutriment to the roots. Where this cannot be had, a 
light dressing of Thomson’s Vine Manure should be afforded, 
and well watered in, in the absence of rain. 
Hoeing.— After such heavy rains as of late, the ground will 
have become hard, therefore take: eveiy chance to ply the flat 
hoe between, all fruit-quarters, first pulling up any big weeds 
with the hand, which I find are plentiful this season ; ancT sucli 
work is bound to get delayed during the fruit-picking season, 
as the latter must be attended to almost daily while: it lasts. 
James Mayne. 
Bicton, Devonshire. 
Hardy Trees and Shrubs. 
Hollies.- —Among evergreen trees, and shrubs there are few 
more popular or more generally useful than these, either for 
growing as specimens or for making hedges, and for decorating 
in winter, when well bended, they are always admired. The 
two best months for transplanting these are April and the pre¬ 
sent one, and where it is desired to replant any, the operation 
may be commenced without delay, so- that they will then be 
©nabled to get established before winter. For whatever posi¬ 
tion these are to occupy, a very important part of the replanting 
is the preparation of the soil. To ensure them succeeding 
after removal, this should be thoroughly trenched beforehand, 
as Hollies like a good root run. 
Whether specimens are being moved or small plants from 
a seed-bed, they should be lifted 1 with good balls of earth, and 
the small fibrous roots which are the most important damaged 
as little as possible, very much depending on the way these are 
treated. 
Have a good-sized hole taken out in readiness where the tree 
is to be placed, and, when replanting, shake the finest, of the 
soil about the roots, and fill in with the remainder, taking 
care to press the whole firmly about the ball, so that the roots 
are better able to commence new growth, and the tree will not 
be damaged by rough winds. 
This is, of course, best done in showery weather if possible, 
but if it is diy one good soaking should be given at the roots 
and frequent dampings overhead with a syringe. It is veiy 
important that too much water is not given at the roots, 
this often being the cause of failure through the soil being 
in a soddened condition, but spraying overhead can hardly be 
done too often. In the case of large specimens it is well to 
shade them on hot, sunny days, and a good mulching of old 
hot-bed material or long litter will greatly assist the soil 
to. retain the moisture. When transplanting seedling Hollies 
which have been in the seed-bed two years, whether to form a 
hedge or bed, it is advisable to plant fairly close together so 
that in two years’ time they can be thinned out, and by so 
doing young Hollies are rendered more vigorous. 
Genista tinctoria.- —Throughout July and August this is one 
of our most pleasing flowering shrubs, and one that should 
find a place in eveiy garden. It is of extremely easy culture, 
and can. be readily propagated from seed ; fn fact, it is advisable 
to keep a stock in this way, as the old plants sometimes die off 
after flowering without any apparent reason. When the seed 
is quite* ripe, it should be sown in pots or boxes in any good 
open soil, and placed in a. gentle heat to germinate. As soon 
as the seedlings are above the soil and large enough to handle, 
they should be potted off singly into 60-sized pots ancTplaced 
in a cold frame. Winter in this position and plant out early 
in the following spring. Two years after sowing, this Genista, 
is. extremely pretty, each plant carrying several spikes of 
flower. Unless one is desirous of ripening the seed, it should 
be cut down after flowering. There is also, a double variety. 
Hypericums. —Many of these are now commencing to flower, 
and there are few things in the shrubbery which last longer or 
are more desirable for general cultivation. Some varieties 
make pleasing specimens planted singly, and others, are valuable 
for massing in beds, while some varieties are very useful for 
planting at the edges of streams, on old woodwork Or similar 
places. A good one for these positions is H. calycinum, as it 
seems to succeed anywhere, and always looks well. It spreads 
quickly a.t the root, and is best when treated as a herbaceous 
perennial, cutting down in early spring to the ground with a 
pair of shears. 
H. Androsaemum is also a most useful species for massing 
in the wilderness, by the side of woodland walks, etc. After the 
flowers are over the fruits are very pleasing. 
Id. pjfiiinidatum makes a, fine specimen, and is remarkably 
floriferous. 
The same may be said of H. pabulum. IT. moserianum is: a 
delightful plant, and very useful for planting in small beds. 
Not being quite: so hardy as; some, it should have a sheltered 
position. 
There is a variety of this named H. moserianum tricolor with 
variegated foliage. It. is somewhat tender and requires a. warm 
sheltered position, to succeed, and for any trouble' given in this 
respect, one will be amply repaid. It is" advisable to strike a. 
few cuttings of this annually, and winter in a cold frame. 
A. E. Thatcher, 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
The work in this department will not be so pressing a.t. this 
season as it has hitherto been, providing due pains have been 
taken to- crop tkei ground systematically, but at the same time 
to become efficient in kitchen gardening, a keen eye-can always 
detect something or other; it matters not what may be the 
condition of the: weather or the time of year, that requires to 
be done; and it is only by studying details that the various 
crops can be brought to perfection. 
Potatos. —Continue to lift these immediately the tubers are 
ready, as by so doing one may hope to save many which if 
left in the ground will in all probability after the Heavy and 
continuous rains become infested with disease. 
As I have before pointed out, no harm will happen even if 
the skins are not properly set. Choose fine weather for getting 
them up, and see that they are properly dried before storing. 
