554 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
July 9, 1904 
Hardy Fruit. 
Strawberries. —Those who go in for yearly plantation of 
young plants must set about layering the runners by prepar¬ 
ing 4-in. pots filled with loamy soil and treated similar to 
those advocated in my calendar a fortnight since. Some rely 
on runnersi rooting into, the soil where they are growing, and 
lift with a trowel when they are lit, but those established ini 
pots have a decided advantage and make much better crowns 
by autumn than do- those left to themselves. The Laxton, 
treated thus, has borne some fine fruit and excel loin in flavour, 
and we hope to increase the stock considerably this season. 
The fruits, too, are very fine and deeper in colour than Royal 
Sovereign. 
Summer pruning of fruit trees may now be undertaken, 
beginning with tlhosei on walls first, and it is wisest, especially 
with robust trees, to go, over the upper paid first, allowing a 
few days to, elapse before doing the lower branches, cutting 
at thei fourth or fifth leaf, commencing with Pears and then 
Plums. Apple® may stand over until last'. Extension shoots 
should be made secure by a, tie or nail and shred, while those 
shoots below may be fastened back with small piece® of Willow 
or Privet, where the latter can be secured each end under) 
older branches, and this will be found much more convenient, 
as. well asi quicker when tackling Morello Cherries, with their 
numerous shoots. Gather up the prunings each day, specially 
where aphisi abound, and burn them, and a good wash with the 
ho.se or garden engine would remove a. lot of dirt and rubbish 
that congregate on Plums and Cherries trained against walls. 
Morelia Cherries have dropped wholesale the past ten daysi, 
and by all appearance the crop will be a light one; therefore: 
a net should be put on in good time to. protect what few there 
remain., as thei feathered tribe are more of a pest than, ever 
this season, sampling all kinds of fruit long before it is near 
ripe, and they quickly spoil the best of it. 
The Peach Wall -— Continue to tie and regulate those 
branches necessary for the extension and furnishing of the 
trees', guarding against overcrowding. Shoots that have 
reached the coping may have their points removed, also, any 
that are carrying fruit, and will be cut clean, out after the 
fruits are cleared off, if the said shoots are likely to shade 
others required for next year’s fruiting. The trees should 
have a good washing with thei garden engine twice a week to 
ward off red spider, the borders examined as to moisture; and 
if it is found water is required—and a well-drained root-run will 
take a plentiful supply—afford a good soaking of diluted 
manure-water from the stable or cow-shed, first putting on a 
doing of clear water, and if it is not convenient to mix the 
two together in tanks or tubs the manure-water may be put 
on the border, and afterwards well washed' in, with clean water. 
If the border hasi got hard with frequent trampling prick up 
the surface with a garden, fork before watering, so that, it can 
absorb the water easily, or much will run off, and return the 
mulch so a,s to keep in the moisture for the next two, or three 
months. 
Raspberries. —These look most promising and full of flower ; 
the past week or two foretold heavy crops of fruit later on. 
See that only enough young canes are left at the base for 
next year’s, fruiting, except one here and there to till up any 
vacancies in the row later on, in the winter. This, is another 
of those fruits which must be protected from the birds in, o- O0 d 
time, and happy are those who have them under wire netting 
this defying all birds, and, as far as I can ascertain, doe® not 
interfere with the ripening of the wood or fruit, and this 
remark applies to Gooseberries and Currants. 
Hoeing doe® a deal of good by aerating the soil, and the 
last half of June was, capital for such work being carried or 
therefore devote what spare time there is in plying the 
between all fruit plantations that cannot be convenient 
mulched. James Matse, 
Breton, Devonshire. 
Hardy Herbaceous Border. 
With the continued dry weather we are experiencing at t 
tune of writing, it will be necessary to thoroughly water t 
borders if the plants are to be maintained in a pleasii 
healthy condition, as on many soils they soon flag with wa 
sunshine if the root® are not kept moist,. It is also an ■ 
cellent plan to, damp- over the growths in the evening wk 
greatly assists them to retain a fresh appearance. On Lea 
soils, the ground will doubtless be cracking, and the hoe shot 
lie frequently used to prevent this, and at the same time, 
keep, down weeds, which grow apace now. Mulching is of gn 
value where the time and material can be spared at this bi 
season, and for the purpose old Mushroom-bed material v 
be found most useful. If only a thin layer can be applied, 
will retain the moisture and prevent the ground openi: 
Where borders of one subject are grown, this should be du: 
if possible, particularly for such plants as Montbretias, Cli 
santheniums, Pentstemons, eto., and they will well repay 
such attention. Manure can now be applied frequently eitli 
ini a diy or liquid state, and, if the latter, farmyard manu 
well diluted, is excellent. Soot-water is also good, especial 
for Sweet Peas, as it greatly improve® the colour of 1 
flowers. These should now have a mulching of lon<r sta, 
litter spread over the border, and the growths will need tyii 
and any flower-spikes should bei picked off if not required y 
If one applies patent manure in. a dry state, it should be lie: 
or lightly forked in, and well washed in with clear water, Ii 
great care is: necessary in, using these plant foods, for if giv 
in too large a, quantity the results are almost sure to pro 
fatal. It is better to give a littlei and often than too muclit 
a time, and rather under than over the quantity advised. 
Delphiniums. — Apart, from the tall-growing varieties ; 
Delphiniums', there are several species and varieties wh i 
make excellent border plants, and are most interesting al 
beautiful in, the mixed border, especially when planted so asi 
stand above the surrounding subjects, so that, their habit is c- 
tinctly seen. They are easily cultivated, and succeed in as 
good garden soil, needing no special attention, and propagat : 
can be done in, some cases from seed, and in others, by divisn 
or by taking off the young shoots at the base. 
At, thei present time there are two beautiful species in flow, 
the one being named D. Belladonna., which ha® flowers p : 
blue and single. This should be more largely grown than t 
present, a,si it is veiy useful for bedding, and the colour is e'e 
n,ot often seen. The other is D. formosuni, which has dtp 
blue flowers with a white centre, and makes a most pleasii 
contrast to, the preceding, both being about, 24 ft. in haig. 
D. Albion is a, little-known variety, about 3 ft. in height* w i 
pure white flowers, and is, a, decided acquisition. 
D. card inale and D. nudicaule both have scarlet flowers, It 
the two are quite distinct in habit, the fanner growing que 
3 ft. in height, and the leaves have also a purple tinge, wire 
the latter does not reach a height of more than 18 in. 
siulphureinn, of Zalil, is an interesting plant vdth sulphu- 
yellow flowers,, but is not quite so robust as one could wi. 
and needs a well-drained position. D. cashmerianum isjV 
dwarf grower with purplish-blue flowers, but veiy distinct ji 
appearance. The same may be said of D. grandiflorum, and c 
double form, which can be used with good effect on, the front-' 
the border or rockery. There are two other forms of tip 
species, one named album, with crea,mywhite, flowers, at 
Breckii, conspicuous gentian-blue, both being very desirable. 
A. E. Thatcher. 
Aldenham House Gardens', Elstree, 
