ecernber 19, 1908. 
the gardening world 
hi 
Wanting Apple Trees. 
/ 
(ound for Apple trees must be well 
• n ed, especially where the soil is of a 
j-y nature, and in cases where the 
jjral drainage is imperfect, artificial 
tus must be employed to remedy the 
;f-ts. In addition to being very cold 
' vinter, badly-drained water-logged 
favours the growth of lichen, induces 
tier, and causes the trees to become 
c v in appearance, the result being 
r both their growth and productive- 
- are adversely affected. The ground 
1( Id be deeply worked or bastard 
e hed, and, if the soil is at all .poor, 
,r good loam should be added, whilst 
a>y soil can be greatly improved by 
I dmixture of road scrapings, old 
oar rubbish, sandy soil, and other 
a rial that tends to lighten and make it 
0 open. 
hnure near the roots of newly¬ 
wed trees is. a disadvantage, there- 
r it is not advisable to incorporate 
atre with the soil when it is being pre- 
i-,j, or place any in the holes when 
c rees are planted. 
' .ree-year-old Apple trees are the best 
r-lanting, and when they are received, 
roots should be carefully examined, 
iianv damaged or broken parts be cut 
f 1 the manner shown at A in Fig. 1, 
n ;t long bare roots should be 
II ened as shown at B, this process 
u ng fibrous roots, which are of ser- 
cto the trees, to be emitted similar to 
it 2. Bush and pyramid Apples 
eld be planted not less than eight feet 
).:, more if possible, whilst for stan¬ 
ds from twenty to twenty-five feet 
>;t is not any too much. Deep plant- 
ashould be avoided, and in no case 
:'!d the stem of the tree be covered 
-V. 
deeper than it has previously been 
covered when the soil has settled down. 
Hole£ of ample width should be got 
out so that every root can be spread out 
as naturally as possible, whilst stakes to 
support the trees should be driven into 
the ground before the holes are filled in 
with soil as shown in Fig. 3. Some good 
fine loam should be used to fill and work 
between the roots, and be made 
moderately firm by lightly treading over 
it, and, when planting is completed, the 
surface soil should be three or four inches 
above the surrounding level to allow for 
it settling down. When tying the trees 
to the stakes, a piece of cloth should 
first be wrapped round the stem whilst the 
cord should always be crossed between 
the stake and the stem, or a pad be formed 
to.prevent chafing. 
When planting is completed, a little 
littery manure should be spread over the 
ground about the roots as shown in Fig. 4 
to keep out frost and conserve any 
warmth that may be left in the soil. 
Each tree should be properly labelled, 
one of the best ways of securing the name 
plates being by means of copper wire 
loosely coiled round a convenient branch 
as shown in Fig. 6, this, of course, allow¬ 
ing the branch to grow and expand. To at¬ 
tach the labels in the manner shown in 
Fig. 5 is wrong, the result being shown in 
Fig. 7. During the following March the 
newly planted trees should be pruned, 
the shoots being cut back to from one- 
third to one-half their length as indicated 
by the cross lines in Fig. 3. Grass, 
weeds, or growth of any kind, should not 
be allowed on the ground over or about 
the roots of the trees. 
Ortus. 
Aphides 
During the early months of the year 
these are the most troublesome in frames, 
houses, etc. In the open garden nothing 
pays so well as spraying things early. 
For many years I have come to regard 
spraying or dipping more profitable than 
fumigating. In days gone by the diffi¬ 
culty arose how to get at the under side 
of the foliage, especially when near the 
ground. This is overcome by using an 
Abol syringe with a- bend on it and you 
can wet, every part of the plant, even 
those resting on the ground. 
Recently I have found it of immense 
benefit for this, purpose. Having many 
Asters in the open ground last summer 
these had fly on them. When seen, I at 
once gave them a spraying with an in¬ 
secticide through an Abol syringe. Using 
it as above described, 1 rid them of it 
with the first dose from being able to 
reach every portion of the plant. 
Nothing is more helpful to plant life 
than keeping them clean, and in no way 
can this be done so well as spraying 
things that, are prone to insect pests 
early. In this way they never get a 
lodging. Fumigating is an offensive 
operation, especially to the amateur; but 
with one of these syringes and a stock 
of insecticide this is overcome—Abol 
White’s Superior is excellent for this, 
being safe and cheap. 
West Surrey. 
-- 
Clerodendron fallax 
From Cuttings. 
This forms a beautiful stove flowering 
plant when well grown. If the summer¬ 
flowering plants were cut over after 
flowering there should be an abundant 
supply of cuttings to be had now. They 
should be taken off and inserted singly 
into thumb pots, filled with a light, free 
compost, and plunged in a propagating 
frame with a bottom heat, ranging from 
75 to 80 degrees. In a few weeks they 
will then be ready for a shift into a 
larger pot, if well rooted, 4 in. pots being 
most suitable, which with careful treat¬ 
ment will carry them through the winter. 
A good potting compost is required to 
get large heads of flowers, and the follow¬ 
ing will be found suitable, viz. : — 3 parts 
loam, 1 part leaf-mould, i part coarse 
sand, with a little lime rubble and horse 
droppings well mixed together. 
For the final potting a little bone meal 
and Cross's manure may be added to 
this. Potting should be carefully done, 
making them medium firm. They should 
be ready for their final shift into 7 in. 
pots by the end of January. Shade from 
bright sunshine, and when the pots are 
well filled with roots, apply liquid farm¬ 
yard manure twice a week, and for a 
change give a little of some other popu¬ 
lar fertiliser. Be careful not to over 
water, or let them get too dry; to allow 
either will spell failure. 
If this treatment is carefully carried 
out, they should reward the grower with 
large beautiful heads of scarlet flowers, 
lasting well through the summer. 
J. K. D. 
Planting and labelling Apple trees. 
