MARCH. rvs 
is this waste of power which it should be our object to control, and 
divert to the production of fruit. When we next resume the question 
of pruning in connection with these papers, we hope to show that 
Peaches are capable of being managed somewhat differently from what 
we-usually see practised ; but we must leave this and other questions, 
follow up our present subject. 
The rationale of root pruning is to induce the formation of short 
fibrous roots, by shortening in the main roots to within one foot of the 
stem, just as you induce the growth of moderate sized bearing wood in 
the head of the tree by heading back the main branches. ‘There is a 
kind of reciprocal action between the roots and branches of a tree, and 
hence we find, when root-pruning has been established two or three 
years, and the tendency of the tree to make very strong roots has 
ceased (which is generally the case in two or three years’ time) that 
the top also conforms to the same law, and the production of moderate 
sized wood follows ; and if the proper examination and pruning of the 
roots are annually performed in November, the due balance between the 
roots and head of the tree may be maintained for many years. By 
this system we are of opinion that the borders for walls, Peaches, &c., 
need not be wider than 5 or 6 feet at most, and that the roots of the 
largest trees need not occupy a space greater than 6 feet square; for 
one great advantage connected with the principle of annual lifting and 
pruning will be the removing the soil from about the roots and replacing 
it by fresh compost, thus each year furnishing the spongelets with a 
fresh supply of food, without their having to travel far for the purpose 
of obtaining it. The quantity of fresh compost required for this will 
not be large, and will be more than compensated for by the large space 
of border left unoccupied, and which will be available for ae ae 

THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS. 
BEDDING GERANIUMS. 
«Way have you been so hard on the Verbenas 2” «Why is Mrs. That, 
and Lord Somebody, and Miss What-do-you-call-her for ever to be 
shut out?” “Talk of refuges for houseless wanderers !—why here are 
some of the very best families in the land—statesmen, heroes, ladies, 
authors, and I know not what—deprived of even the luxury of a bed!” 
Some such exclamations of disgust at my murderous treatment I have 
heard from growers. All I can say is, try them, if you like; grow your 
pets, and, if you want to make a bed, I should like to see your disap- 
pointment. I dare say there are some good people who turn up their 
noses at Robinson’s Scarlet Defiance. ‘‘ What that old thing!—lI have 
given it up long ago ; there is such a beautiful new scarlet, 1 am told— 
an excellent bedder!”” and so on. Such would hardly believe that the 
other day, in talking to my neighbour’s experienced gardener, who has 
had all the Verbenas that have come out, one after the other, under his 
‘hands, he expressed his regret that he was very short of it this year, 
