52 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
January 21, 1905. 
a distance, however, the petals are the only part of the 
flower that is evident. They are produced singly or three 
together on short side spurs, which are more or less numerous 
according to the health of the plant, and in the aggregate 
are very effective. It is relatively of dwarf habit, the stems 
being only 5 ft, to 6 ft, in height on the average. As the name 
would imply, it is a native of Japan, and in an average of 
seasons would be more effective in February than in January. 
The variety H. j. zuccariniana usually flowers late like its 
parent, but this year it may have surpassed its record for 
earliness, for a fine specimen 8 ft. high in the gardens at Kew 
was in full bloom at the end of the first week of the month. 
It was also well laden with blossom from top to bottom, the 
lower branches being almost lying upon the soil. The flowers 
are light yellow, some would say primrose, and in this respect 
only do they differ from those of its parent, though some 
botanists have honoured it with a separate specific name. The 
calyx is here also rosy-purple inside. As a rule the flowers 
are placed singly on the spurs, but the latter are so plentifully 
produced as to form masses at certain points on the shoots. 
The plant represented in our illustration was 8 ft. wide, and 
the longest branches as high. 
Some of those who claim an acquaintance with the Witch- 
Hazels are inclined to regard this variety as of inferior value 
to the type, but if they had seen this plant in full bloom, laden 
as it was, they would have admitted that it was quite a con¬ 
spicuous plant, visible for a great distance. It is practically 
of recent introduction, and consequently has not hitherto had 
time to develop its full beauty. In any case having seen this 
plant we shall never now think lightly of it. 
H. arborea, another native of Japan, is usually regarded 
as the finest of all the Witch-Hazels, by reason of the rich 
dark yellow colour of the flowers, its period of flowering, and 
the deep red or crimson of the interior of the calyx. The 
ribbon-like petals may be described as golden-yellow. When 
the previously named variety was photographed this was prac¬ 
tically only half expanded, so that it maintains its character 
of being in bloom from the middle of January onwards. It 
may, therefore, take a second place in the matter of earli¬ 
ness, as all the plants to which we refer were growing under 
similar conditions in a light sandy soil, and rather elevated 
exposed position. It was introduced from Japan in 1862, and 
varies from 12 ft, to 20 ft. in height, after having become es¬ 
tablished for some years. Young bushes bloom while yet in 
a relatively small state, and continue to get better with size 
and age, provided the situation and surroundings are perfectly 
suitable to their welfare. 
H. mollis was introduced as recently as 1887 from China, 
and is practically as early a bloomer as H. japonica zuccari¬ 
niana, with larger and darker coloured flowers. It has not 
had time to attain any great size as yet, but bushes only 2 ft. 
to 3 ft, high, at least when grafted from older plants, produce 
a wonderful quantity of flowers. Although little distinction 
can be made between the species, as a rule, during the summer, 
this one stands out conspicuously by reason of the large size 
of the leaves, which measure 5 in. in lengtn, on strong growing 
shoots. Although the most recent introduction, this may yet 
out-rival a number of the others, as planters have taken more 
kindly to it than earlier introductions of the genus. 
H. virginica is the Witch-Hazel proper, being the oldest 
introduction and the one to which the name was first applied. 
It was introduced from eastern North America in 1736, and 
usuallv forms a bush about 5 ft. high, more ramified than in 
the other species named, at least in our experience, and flower¬ 
ing' from September to February. It is in perfection practi¬ 
cally during October, but the first flush of bloom is succeeded 
by others that keep opening at intervals till some time next 
month. The flowers in this instance are exceedingly numer¬ 
ous, being produced in clusters on the same spur, but as the 
petals are small, pale yellow, and hidden by the foliage, as 
above mentioned, they are more interesting than effective, and 
therefore likely to be out-distanced in gardens for these 
reasons. Some interest also attaches to this species from the 
fact that it has been used as a divining rod by the dowser for 
the purpose of finding water or hidden treasure. We cannot 
pretend to any knowledge of its capabilities in this respect. 
Good Fruits from Old Trees. 
As the above heading suggests, the following remarks are 
mainly in. reference to old-established Apple and Pear trees, 
such as are often found in fruit quarters, having once been the 
original and only occupiers of the ground, but subsequent 
arrangements having been made for under-cropping with 
vegetables. Frequently the welfare of such trees is little 
studied, and the cultural attention which they receive very 
limited, often the ordinary tilling of the ground for the vege¬ 
table crops being considered sufficient for them. It is very 
noticeable that Apples and Pears, when well advanced in age, 
or after reaching about five-and-twenty years, frequently pro¬ 
duce an enormous amount of bloom and set very heavy crops. 
I will refer to the dealing with this “ free-blooming ” state of 
affair's first, advocating such treatment as will secure a 
moderate crop of good fruits, instead of the usual quantity 
of small ones. 
In order to reduce the- inevitable strain which is put upon 
the trees by an excessive setting of fruit, It is well to begin 
now by reducing the number of branches by judiciously thin¬ 
ning them, removing weakly and ill-placed ones. This not 
only reduces the strain referred to, but allows proper circula¬ 
tion of air among the remaining branches, which is veiy 
necessary for the good development of leaves and fruit. The 
pruning done, the main stems and a good portion of the main 
branches should be thoroughly cleaned by scrubbing with 
soapy water with some paraffin added at the rate of \ pint to 
3 gallons. This wash should be well worked_ into all crevices 
of the bark, that It may dislodge and kill American blight, if 
any be present. Finally, lime-washing the same parts of the 
trees to co-operate in the destruction of vermin, and to protect 
the stems from hot sun during the summer. 
Having finished with the “ above-ground ” portion of the 
trees, the soil should next be taken in hand, digging it care¬ 
fully, giving it a sprinkle of bone-meal, and finally covering 
with a good mulching of long litter, 5 in. or 6 in. thick, and 
extending fully 4 ft. from the stem. The next desirable step 
is that of well watering with manure or cesspool water, if at 
all possible 1 . Without doubt this “ winter ” or “ early spring ” 
watering does far more towards developing the future crop 
than any other cultural item. The old trees being laden with 
countless embryo fruits, a very great strain is naturally taking 
place in both roots and limbs, in the attempt to properly 
nourish and develop those tiny vital organs so necessary for 
proper fertilisation. Twenty or thirty gallons of cesspool 
water is none too much to be given if the trees are to be 
really benefited by it. 
Attention having been given to the foregoing details, the 
trees will not require any further attention till after the set¬ 
ting of the fruit. To obtain really good fruits from trees 
which have heavily set, thinning must be carried out, and that 
as early as it is possible to distinguish good-shaped fruits from 
ill-placed and deformed ones. Although naturally a large 
number of the fruits set imperfectly, and such would event¬ 
ually fall, it is an advantage to the permanent crop for it to 
be relieved of the undesirable fruits by an early artificial 
thinning. Of course, it is not wise to remove too great a 
number at once, or at the first thinning, rather give a second 
thinning when fruits have attained the size of Walnuts. The 
thinning is best performed with the aid of a sharp pair of nail 
scissors, and should not be pulled off by hand. A heavy 
mulching should be kept around the trees during the summer, 
to prevent evaporation of summer waterings. I should be 
pleased at some future date, and with the Editor’s consent, to 
refer to the picking and storing operations, space not allowing 
upon this occasion. Herbert II. Morris. 
The Gardens, Dashwood, Gravesend. 
Strawberry Goliath. —A new perpetual bearing Strawberry 
is being put into commerce under the above name. The fruit is 
oblong-conical, and varies fi-om lg in. to 2g in. in length. 
It evidently owes much to the Alpine Strawberry for its re¬ 
markable length and narrowness. The character of the in¬ 
florescence also corresponds with this idea. 
