THE GARDENERS’ MAGAZINE 
Maech 22, lojj. 
ROOTPRUNING BY 
DYNAMITE. 
The writer witnessed an interesting experi¬ 
ment a few days since, which should be of 
value to some of the fruit growers. A 
number of healthy young apple trees are 
growing upon strong loamy soil, but they 
were growing too luxuriantly . and did not 
fruit owing to their excessive root action. 
For some time horticulturists in Australia 
and Canada, and the keenwjgro wers in the 
United States, have sought the aid of dyna¬ 
mite in breaking up subsoil for such purposes 
as planting trees, and also for further in- 
i creasing the fertility of the soil, and in some 
c^s had found the value of this agency for 
lifting the trees for root pruning, Mr. 
Holmes, ever on the alert, came across> this 
method, and decided to become proficient in 
the use of the explosive. ^He sought prac¬ 
tical advice upon the subject, and he is now 
master of what at first sight seemed a danger¬ 
ous method of treating soil. 
On the occasion of the experiment thirty- 
two trees were bodily lifted. It may seem 
rough treaitment to the trees, but where a 
large number have to be done time and labour 
count for much, and furthermore, observa¬ 
tions have proved that the plan answers just 
as well as the methodical way of digging 
round and cutting under the tree. 
The method adopted is to bore with a stout 
crowbar a hole about 15 inches from the trunk 
to a point about 2 feet 6 inches dwp, in a 
slanting direction, to about the centre of the 
tree. A cartidge with a long fuse is inserted, 
and the hole filled up and the soil rammed 
hard. A light is applied, and the opera¬ 
tor has ample time to move away, just a few 
feet being sufficient. At the exnlosion there 
IS an upheaval of soil, and the thick roots are 
torn asunder. It then takes but a few minutes 
to adjust the soil and make it firm again. 
One could see that the force of the ex¬ 
plosion descended as well as ascended. Thus 
to make a hole for any purpose where hard 
soil exi^ the operation should prove bene- 
ficial It would also be useful for removing 
old tree stumps that needed clearing. For 
these purposes it is certainly a labour-saver. 
The whoJeoperation of lifting thirty-two trees 
took less than one hour. Aytch Pea. 
ANSWERS TO 
CORRESPONDENTS. 
Editorial Communications ehoiiW be addressed to the 
Editor of the Gardenebs’ Magazute, 148 and 149, 
Alderegate Street, E.C. 
Secretaries of horticultural societies are invited ^ 
send early notification of forthcoming exhibitions 
and meetings, and are requested to advise us con¬ 
cerning change^ of dates. 
Speoimeno of plants, flowers, end fruits for naming 
or opinion should be sent to the Editor of the 
Gardeners’ Magazine, “ Endsleigh,” Priory Park, 
Kew, Surrey, and as early in the week as possible. 
All parcels must be sufficiently prepaid. 
FLOWER BEDS IN SUMMER^! u 
Lenton.—I have, five beds, in grass runr ’ 
parallel with a gravel path, and I wLIi ♦ 
to U as varied and attractive as n..- 
during the coming summer. There ' 
abundance ot* greenery, such as rhodM-c^ 
drons, neaTr at hand to form a suitable 1 
ground, therefore, I should like brilliant aM 
Com- 
pany, Lim.— The annual report of this 
wmber 31. 1912, le, as usual, of a highly satis. 
factOTT character, and affords cadence Of 
t ®T aU the branches ^ 
the nnm- 
59,^, assuring the sum of ^05,586,153, and 
income of 
^346,592. The premiums received durine 
the year were ^4,826,993, being an increa£ 
of il4,725 over ^e year 1911. ^ claims of 
the year amounted to ^3.626,469. The num- 
W of deaths was 8,872. The number of eii- 
oowinent assurances matured was 21,981 the 
premium income of which was ^125 Ml * Tho 
number of polieies in force at the end of 
y^r was 901,838. In the industrial 
branch the premiums received durino- the 
year were ^7,792,562, being an incre^ of 
.£161,154. The claims of t£ year »nm!^W 
to .63,070^71, including .£324,797 bonus !id- 
ditions. The number of claims and snrren- 
ders, including 5,282 endowment assurances 
matured, was 382,734. The number of free 
polici^ granted during the year to those 
policyholders of five years’ standing and up¬ 
wards who desired to discontinue their pay 
ments, was 155,582, the number m fer^ 
being 1,809,171. The number of free policies 
which became claims during the year was 
52,296. The total number of policies in force 
in this branch at the end of the year was 
19,140,743—their average duration exceeds 
twelve and a-half years. The assets of the 
company, in both branches, as shown in the 
balance-sheet, after deducting the amount 
written off securities, are .£84,571,932, being 
an increase of .£3,332,250 over those of 1911 
RUST ON PELARGONIUM LEAVES.— 
M. K. M., Bedford.—I enclose some pelar¬ 
gonium leaves, which have a peculiarly 
rusted appearance on the underside. Is the 
trouble caused by fungi or insects ? As 
many of the leaves have fallen, as a result, 
apparently, of this attack, I shall be very 
grateful for any information that will help 
me to cure the disease.—^The rusty appear¬ 
ance is due to the presence of one of the rust 
mites, similar to, if not identical with, the 
one that often proves so troublesome with 
begonias. Remove and burn the badly-in¬ 
fected leaves, and dip the iplan.ts in tobacco 
water or a nicotine preparation, following 
this up with frequent dustings of all affected 
parts with tobacco powder. 
BRITISH GARDENERS’ ASSOCIATION 
—F., Liverpool: Will you be good enough to 
let me know the name and address of the 
s^retary of the British Gardeners’ Associa¬ 
tion ?—^With pleasure; Mr. Cyril Harding, 
Ulysses, Fortune Gi^n, London, N.W. 
LICHEN ON LAWN.-R. W., Broughty 
Ferry.—I shall be very pleased if you will 
let me know the cause of and the cure for a 
fungus (specimens enclosed), which appears 
in patches oyer the lawns. Our lawns ap¬ 
pear, otherwise, to be in good order, and 
they receive a good dressing of bone-meal 
every second year. — The specimens are 
examples of a lichen, not a fungus, and the 
species is Peltigera canina. Its presence on 
the grass indicates a need for better drain- 
Treat the infested, patches as you would 
for moss, using an iron rake to remove the 
lichen, and scarify the soil. Follow this with 
a good watering of a solution made by mix¬ 
ing 11b. of iron sulphate in three gallons of 
water. Subsequently dress the treated area 
with a finely-sifted sandy mixture of leaf- 
soil and old hotbed manure. We have been 
told that soot is useful in combating lichen 
growth in lawns; try frequent dressings on 
one of the patches, and let us know the 
result; in any case, soot is a fine fertiliser 
for lawns. 
-MEASUREMENTS OF A TENNIS 
C^RT.—A. S., Rothesby: Will you kindly 
let me knov^in your next issue the proper 
measurements of a full-sized tennis court, 
and greatly oblige me This is a perennial 
question, one we have answered every year 
for many years past, and which we expect to 
be asked every succeeding year, especially as 
we all wish to spend as much as possible of 
the summer time out of doors, and lawn 
games are helpful in that direction. A full- 
sized tennis court is 78ft. long and 36ft. wide, 
but there must be a reasonable space outside 
these lines, especially at the ends, or good 
play will be impossible. The net divides the 
court in half, and should be attached to posts 
a^ut 4^ft. outside the side line. Parallel 
with each outside line, and 4^ft. inside it are 
the inside lines. Measure 21ft. from the net 
along each inside line, and join the points 
thus found; repeat this on the other side 
and then join np these cross lines 
(which should be 42ft. apart'! by means of a 
centr^ line. Where the latter joins the 
cross line it should be 13^ft. from each inside 
line Be careful to check all the measure¬ 
ments before marking out the court, and 
make certain that all the angles are right 
angks. If space permits arrange for the 
north and south, rather than 
east to west; a great deal of tennis is played 
in the afternwn and evening, and thoge who 
have to play facing westward are at a diaa*!- 
striking plants in the beds. The 
and twro outer beds are oblong, while the ^ 
termediate beds are circular. Tbe bedi. r 
7ft. by 4ft. I do not want the beds to I 
paired, but would rather have each r. 
filled differently, and have each one 
with a mass of one colour with a suitikk 
edging. If you can assist me by sugeegtii? 
suitable subjects for filling these beds I s’- 
be very greatly obliged.—Fill the central 
with Paul Crampel pelargonium, and prorid# 
an edging of Mr. Pollock or other 
golden tricolor pelargonium, kept dwarf. Ii 
one of the outer beds place orange or orangf 
and yellow tuberous begonias, and th# 
variegated Cocksfoot grass as an edging. At 
the other end use pink and rose or piS md 
white begonias, and edge with light-Kii« 
lobelias. In the circular beds plant ^fall 
fuchsias, keeping blue corollas next thef uj 
begonias, and red ones at the other end. Plant 
these thinly, with a few bushy exaniplce c4 
the old golden-leaved Wave of Life anwnd 
them, and a carpeting of the white Al; 
maritimum over the whole bed. A sta’ 
fuchsia, a standard heliotrope, or a Sti 
solen- Jamesoni, rising from the centre 
mass of the double white Marguerite 
Sander, wouldi provide an alternative t 
for the circular beds. 
NAMES OF PLANTS. 
C. M., EarPs Colne.- 1, Begonia Hai 
ana; 2, Eupatorium ianthinum; 3, Cti 
mium falcatum; 4, probably a Cystc 
send again a little later; 5, a ' 
Anemone fulgens. 
form 
NEWS FROMJIMOQUARTa 
BEGONIAS. 
In every garden there is sure to be^^j^niK) 
particular spot which appeals to the owij 
more strongly than any other part. j ■ 
It may be a bed in the centre of the law*, . 
which is in full view from your dressing-rooB, 
or the border outside the window of the rooit disj 
you frequent most during hot summer 
noons. The planting of these favourite klyi- 
which you desire shall look bright and 
from early summer until late autumn, ofw , 
proves a serious problem, especially shfl« ■ 
one wish to break away from the ® 
Geranium, Calceolaria, and Lobelia. 
An ideal plant for such positions 
Begonia, either in separate colours or 
fully blended to suit individual tastes. ^ 
beautiful and lasting display can w . 
obtained at a very low cost, the 
being particularly simple. Carters Ji 
Begonias have been specially selected to ^ 
purpose, and only bright colours and p ► ^ 
ing shades are contained in our mix w 
whilst the delightful separate colours ' . 
with universal approval. . . . 4 f 
Where a brilliant effect is desired. ^ of 
esirw. 91 
scarlet, crimson, or yellow may be | 
Conner, and whitP being suitaoie 
subdued effects. Write for our ^ 
Catalogue, which gives prices and / ^ 1# 
tural directions. We shall also P 
sugg^ odour schemes and id 
or give you any other information , 
require. ^ iijj 
JAMES CARTER 
SeeVismen to H.AL the j 
^ix)ND0N.S 
