THE GARDENING WORLD. 
May 14, 1904. 
196 
Hardy Fruit. 
Gooseberry Sawfly (Nematus ribesii).—This pest makes its 
appearance at the end of April or early in May, and unless 
battled with in earnest in its earliest stage it will prove a 
source of trouble throughout the season ; therefore every effort 
should be taken to annihilate it as quickly a.s possible. The 
eggs are laid on the under sides of the leaves and, being incon¬ 
spicuous, cannot well be seen unless searched for, and this is the 
reason such havoc is often done before the cultivator is even 
aware of their presence,.as they commence eating the foliage 
directly they are hatched, leaving numerous small holes in the 
leaves, and if these are picked off while the larvae are there 
thousands may soon be destroyed, but in bad cases it is best not 
to denude the bushes of their foliage, a-s this would be las bad 
as the caterpillar eating them, so the latter should be picked 
off and dropped in a, box or pail containing fresh slaked lime to 
burn them up. After an interval of a. few days, go over the 
quarter again, a.s perseverance is the only way of getting rid 
of the enemy, A good plan, is to lay a, bag or two, or, better 
still, a white sheet, under the bush, and give it a, good shake, 
when many will drop off, and are easily gathered up and 
destroyed, but, examine each bush minutely, as they cling 
tenaciously to the foliage. Some dust the affected parts with 
Hellebore powder, fresh lime, and soot, but the former is 
poisonous and the others make the fruit very dirty, so' in the 
long-run hand-picking is the safest and surest remedy, though 
it may take' a little extra labour to' carry it o-ut,. It, also 
attacks the Red Currant. 
Strawberries.—We have .taken advantage of the bright days 
since the genial rain of the 2nd of the month, and plied 
the flat hoe between the plants to kill seedling weeds,, and 
strawed down the quarters with a view of keeping the fruit 
clean. Young plantations made last autumn to supply runners 
for forcing another season should have all flower trusses pinched 
out, so as to strengthen the young plantlets, and keep the 
ground well stirred between the plants. Continue to set out 
plants recently forced, a,s they entail a, deal of labour in water¬ 
ing while in the pots. 
Cherries.—Both the sweet and Morellos have been full of 
blossom, and appear to have set well, but when the fruit reaches 
the stoning period is the most critical time for all stone, fruits; 
therefore little can be said respecting crop at present. Cherries 
are much troubled with the black aphis,, which, if allowed to 
gain a, footing, quickly cripple the points of the leading shoots, 
and are most difficult to eradicate when the leaves curl up. 
Dipping the points in tobacco water or quassia, extract is the 
only thing to do when in this state, but if battled with in 
earnest at its first approach, by syringing with either of the 
above insecticides, towards 4 p.m., they can soon be cleared. 
Syringing next morning - with clean water will usually remove 
those not quite killed, and repeating - the dose next eveninef if 
found necessary. Morellos push forth many more growths 
than are, requisite to furnish the tree, and should be disbudded 
in a similar way to the Peach, though it need not, be quite so 
freely done, as we can afford to train in the growths a trifle 
closer together than for that, fruit, and it- must be remembered 
that the Morello bears freely upon spurs, which are formed by 
pinching a,t the fourth or fifth leaf of this year’s growths that 
are not, required for extension of the tree, retaining those shoots 
that are nearest the, wall, and conveniently placed to form fruit 
buds, as advocated for the Apricot, on page 356. 
Blossom Protection.—In most districts this can now be 
dispensed with, choosing a warm morning for the work. In our 
case we leave the glass coping for a week or ten days after 
removing the netting from the Peach, also Apricot wall. 
General Remarks.—The Peach will be claiming a deal of 
attention just now in the removal of surplus growths, also 
fruits where a good set Iras been secured. Any blistered 
foliage should be picked off, and where fly are troublesome the 
trees may be safely syringed with an insecticide new, two 
evenings in succession being much better than giving one 
strong dose. Cut up any suckers that show, and examine the! 
border as to, moisture. The drying winds of last month, com¬ 
bined with bright days and the glass ccping projecting 2 ft. 
overhead, had a drying influence on both the Peach and Apricot 
borders here, which have had a thorough watering, and will be: 
right for some few weeks now. Look over recently grafted 
trees, and if the clay shows any signs of cracking syringe it 
well, and smooth it over afresh with the hands, making it 
air-tight, or the .scion will not take, and rub off most of tho 
young shoots emanating on the stock, though a few will assist 
the sap to flow more freely. Support with sticks tied to the 
stock any last year’s grafts that may be liable to get twisted cut 
with strong winds, a,s' often much damage is done this way 
before one notices it. James Mayne. 
Bicton, Devonshire. 
Notes on Hardy Plants. 
The Herbaceous Border. —So far, the present season ha- 
been a most favourable, one for all plants in this department, 
and much attention will be necessary if the best results are 
to be, obtained. As many subjects have made considerable 
growth, the supporting of these will have to be done, and 
though staking is not, often considered to, be a matter of mud 
importance, the difference between doing this well and in ar 
unworkmanlike manner is most, apparent, whether the plant; 
are in flower or not. One far too often sees a good border, 
which might be most effective, practically spoiled by tin 
manner in which the individual plants are supported, anc 
while fully sympathising with those who may not be able h 
spare the time, or* have not the, material necessary to perroni 
this in the best possible manner, it cannot be too strong]) 
emphasised that staking is a mo-st important item. 
The general practice is to place one, stake, belrind a plant 
and tie all the growths up to it, with the result that, in wet 
and rough weather they become unmanageable, and are any 
thing but, pleasing. In, this way the flower-heads are ah, 
unable to expand properly, and not nearly so much space i- 
covered as otherwise would be. One, might cite the perennia 
Phlox as a very good instance of this, for these, when bunchet 
up to one stake, do, not show off their natural hea-uty or habit :• 
but, assuming that, the weakest growths, have been thinner) 
out, thus adding strength to those left, if a, stake is placed to 
every two or tliree shoots or one to each, if the plant is noi 
large, then .a specimen is made, and even one plant will make 
a good display. Cenfaurea, mon-tana, and its varieties are be.-* 
with time,© or more stakes placed round, and string or basi 
tied about them to hold up the growths. Veronica spicata 1 
another plant which is more effective when supported in thi; 
way. Some plants, such as Clematis erecta, and its doubt 
form, can be, seen to better advantage if short, bushy per 
sticks are placed between the shoots when young. These, wil 
then support themselves naturally, and their appearance is fa: 
better than when tied up stiffly. Gypsophila paniculata, als< 
answers well in this way. 
In staking herbaceous plants correctly very much depend: 
upon one’s own, discretion, but there is, a, general rule whirl 
can be followed in most cases. With such plants as Sidalceay 
Aconitums, Physostegias, Liatris, and the like, which hart! 
flowers closely arranged on spikes, a few sticks round each wil 
suffice, but with such plants: .as Eryngium amethystinuin 
Phloxes, Phygelius, etc., which have branching heads of flower: 
and need space, to develop', it is far better to place a stick tc 
each shoot if possible, providing the plant is not large anc 
unwieldy. Then one is able to obtain the greatest shew ol 
bloom, and the, advantages of this over the, one,-stick method 
are, so great, that I may be excused for dealing at some length 
with this, subject. Having tried both methods, however, 1 
can unhesitatingly say that many’ would adopt the plan li 
