272 
THE GARDENING WORLD, 
April 2. 1904. 
Hardy Fruit. 
Figs—During the past fortnight the weather has been, 
much more seasonable, and the absence of much frost has 
caused the small embryo fruit to show itself in this part, of 
the country—a stage when, the annual thinning of the branches 
may be undertaken. Dispense with as much old wood as| 
possible, as it is well-ripened shoots of last year’s formation, 
that yield the best fruit, and in laying in the branches of 
those trained against walls see that enough space is allowed 
for this, season’s shoots, as if the foliage smothers that, of its 
neighbour the wood cannot possibly ripen as it should do,. 
Where space admits and the wood well ripened lay them in 
their full length, and whether nailed or tied see that ample 
space is given, each shoot, for development. Pruning and train r 
ing finished, prick up' the border, removing 2 in or 3 in. of 
inert soil and replace with fresh loam with a moderate sprink¬ 
ling of lime rubble and bone meal, omitting the latter if the 
trees are inclined to make extra, strong wood. Trees, may be 
planted any time during the present month, and when, turned 
out of the pots most of the old soil should be shaken from the 
roots, and the last-named spread evenly out, covering the same 
with about 4 in. of soil, the composition of which, together 
with instructions as to making the border, were given in my 
calendar for February 6th, and the soil should be made quite 
firm, a, loose border favouring sappy growth. 
Strawberries. —Where the practice prevails of mulching 
between the rows in autumn, a plan I have adopted for many 
years past with excellent, results, after gathering up. any rough 
stones or sticksi the remaining manure may be lightly forked 
in just deep enough to bury the short mulch, and between now 
and the time for strawing down the, flat hoes should be plied 
between the plants a time or two to kill seedling weeds, which 
would otherwise prove a nuisance long before the fruit could 
he cleared. The alpine varieties are best treated as annuals, 
sowing the seed under glass, and pricking out as ,soon as, fit, to 
handle on a sheltered border, finally transferring them to their 
fruiting quarters early in June, but, to- get fruiting plants by 
early autumn the seed must be sown at once. 
Black Currants.— -Where the mite has been, troublesome, a 
keen eye must be kept on the bushes, now that growth has 
become active, the buds soon showing if the mite is prevalent, 
which, if but, a slight attack, may hei picked off and burnt, 
but when badly affected the bushes should be out to within 
a. few inches of the ground, new growth at this season soon 
making headway ; but should thei enemy again, make its appear¬ 
ance, it, is much the wisest to grub out, the entire stock and 
burn, replanting on a fresh piece of ground in early autumn,, 
procuring the plants from a reliable nurseryman,. 
The Peach Wall —A few days, of bright sunshine has 
brought out the flowers very fast, and though the summer was 
far from being suitable to the maturation of the wood, the 
flowers look well formed and plenty of them ; all that is, wanted 
now isi a, genial time while the blossoms are expanded to pro¬ 
cure a, good set. , Examine the trees' once or twice weekly for 
aphis, which quickly make their appearance when once some 
kind of shelter is afforded them by clustering around the base 
of the blossom buds as well as the young growth. Tobacco 
powder is the safest remedy at this date, dusting it well in 
wherever a fly can be detected, as they increase rapidly after 
once gaining a footing. Where movable blinds are in use these 
should be rolled up about, 9 a.m. on, bright, days providing no 
keen, winds are bio,wing, and let, down again towards 6 p.m., 
and madei secure against winds, or much damage may be done. 
Should the surface of the border he caked over ply the flat 
boei over it, soi as to admit, the benefit of the sun’s warmth. 
These latter remarks apply to all fruit quarters while the 
weather remains as now, though where the soil is retentive it. 
may be necessary to break the lumpy pieces with the back oi 
a shovel first if no, rain falls to soften it, and on clayey lane 
thisLs soon the case after a few weeks,’ fine weather. 
James Mayne. 
Bicton, Devonshire. 
The Hardy Herbaceous Border. 
Pentstemons. — There are few plants which have grown sc 
largely in public favour during recent years as these, mid when 
one considers how extremely useful they are for summer and 
autumn flowering their popularity is not to he wondered at. 
There-are no plants that I am acquainted with which give a 
better effect when bedded; and compared with some of the 
other bedding subjects the amount of attention necessary to 
have them in perfection is very small. During the last* few 
years the hybridists have done much to improve not only the 
quality of the flower, but the habit also,, and probably no one 
lias done more in this respect than our friend over the Border. 
Mr. J. Forbes', of Hawick. We have for some time grown 
among others several of his production, and nothing has°riven 
greater satisfaction. 
As I have before advocated, these plants, to be seen at, 
their best, must have a border or bed of medium or laro- e 
dimensions devoted entirely to them. This should be in an 
open, sunny position'sheltered from north and east winds, if 
possible, one facing south or south-wist, therefore, being pre¬ 
ferable. If one has to deal with soil of a heavy texture the 
ground should be deeply dug or trenched in autumn, but if 
the ground is light, the trenching will be-best done about the 
middle or latter part of March, and the Pentstemon being a 
gross feeder, a liberal quantity of decayed manure should be 
incorporated, that, from the farmyard being as good as, if not 
better than, any other. By the time these lines are in print 
it, will be advisable, providing the weather and ground remain 
dry, to go over the surface and break the lumps up with a 
fork. One will then be enabled to prepare the ground any 
time for planting. I do, n,ot advise putting out, Pentstemons 
too early, because if they receive a severe check before they 
become well established, the result® will be far from satis¬ 
factory ; and one cannot foiget the disastrous consequences 
which resulted after the severe frosts so recently as the middle 
of last April. Of course, the site and locality will have to be 
considered, and the plants which have been, wintered in cold 
frames must have been thoroughly exposed and hardened 
before planting. Generally speaking, the third week in April 
will be a good time to plant, and the border should be raked 
down, level with large stones, and other rubbish removed. 
The plants', if they are in, boxes, should be, lifted with good 
balls of soil, making quite sure beforehand that the wdiole of' 
the soil is thoroughly moistened. A suitable distance to plant 
them will be 15 in. apart from plant to plant, and 18 in. 
between the rows.' The planting should he done firmly in rows 
or batches of each sort, taking care to- arrange the colours so 
that they harmonise. If the weather is dry, each plant should 
he thoroughly watered in, with a fine-rose watering pot, and a 
sprinklei overhead daily will do, much to, assist them to become 
established and recover from the slight check received through 
moving. A few varieties which will be found of sterling merit 
are the following : George Home, a truly magnificent variety ; 
Lord Lister, Rachel, Edwin Beckett, The Paddocks, James 
Hamilton, N. Barnes,, Mrs. Forbes, John Forbes, Phryne, Talma' 
and Seaforth. 
Carnations. — Those which were layered, potted-up in the 
autumn and wintered in cold frames can now be planted out at 
any time. A good open border which has been well trenched 
or dug should be assigned them. A good loamy soil will suit 
them to perfection, and before planting a dusting of soot 
should be given to the surface. The planting should be done 
firmly, and if any wirewomn exist in the ground, means must 
be taken to catch them. For this purpose small pieces of 
Carrot should be placed at intervals in the bed, which wire- 
