March  10,  1898. 
•  JOURNAL  OF  HORTIGULTURF  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
207 
To  obtain  free  growth  the  strong  shoots  must  be  shortened  about  two- 
thirds  of  their  length,  or  to  g,  making  at  least  level  with  the  short  and 
weak  shoots.  In  consequence  of  the  shortening  we  get  at  least  two 
vigorous  growths  from  each,  as  shown  in  part  outline,  and  smaller  ones 
towards  the  basal  parts.  Thus  there  is  no  check  to  the  root  action,  or 
rather  no  congestion  of  sap,  for  the  short  and  weak  shoots  have  growths 
equally  forward  with  those  cut  away  ;  therefore  the  reciprocity  of  action 
between  roots  and  branches  remains  intact,  and  as  the  strong  shoots  have 
larger  sap  vessels,  the  flow  is  so  full  and  strong  into  the  buds  left  that 
the  upper  ones  start  vigorously,  and  soon  draw  the  nourishment  away 
from  the  weaker,  the  leaves  being  larger  and  the  shoots  altogether  in  the 
ascendant. 
The  cut  in  pruning  is  an  important  consideration.  If  the  tree  be  of 
erect  habit  it  will  always  retain  the  characteristic,  Imt  it  may  I)e  made  to 
grow  somewhat  outwards  by  pruning  to  an  outside  bud  (b,  A),  while  a 
tree  of  spreading  growth  can  be  made  to  grow  inwards  or  more  upright 
by  pruning  to  an  inside  bud  (i).  In  the  case  of  a  tree  of.  pendant  habit 
(C)  pruning  to  an  upside  bud  (y)  induces  growth  upward,  and  shortening 
to  an  underside  bud  (k)  tends  still  farther  to  promote  the  pendant  habit 
Fig.  33.— Prunikg  IIecently  Planted  Young  Fruit  Trees. 
References : — A,  shorten  the  long  and  strong,  and  leave  the  short  and  weak 
shoots  :  a,  roots  callnsed  ;  6,  buds  started  into  growth  ;  c,  point  of  heading 
maiden  tree  ;  d,  long  and  strong  shoots  ;  e,  .short  and  weak  shoots  ;  /,  spur  ; 
g,  point  of  cutting  back  strong  and  long  shoots.  B,  ninight  shoot :  h,  pi  nned 
to  an  outside  bud  ;  i,  shortened  to  inside  bud.  C,  semi-pendant  slioot  : 
j,  pruned  to  upside  bud  ;  k,  shortened  to  underside  bud.  D,  roots  :  I,  clean 
cut  callused  ;  m,  young  rootlets  ;  n,  young  fibrils. 
of  growth.  These  small  matters  must  have  attention  from  the  pruner,  as 
they  have  an  important  bearing  on  the  ultimate  fashion  and  utility  of  the 
bush  or  tree. 
By  pruning  when  the  uppermost  buds  are  pushed  or  even  have  grown 
somewhat,  and  confining  this  to  the  strong  growths,  the  young  shoots  on 
the  part  unpruned  develop  their  leaves,  and  the  roots  then,  if  early 
planting  has  been  practised,  will  also  be  moving  (d).  the  clean  cut  loots 
(I)  having  callused  and  put  forth  rootlets  (m),  while  the  fibry  roots  have 
also  made  some  healthy  fibrils  (n).  These  keep  in  touch  with  the  leaves 
on  the  unpruned  shoots  and  give  a  fibrous  formation,  whilst  later  the 
strong  shoots  come  on  the  pruned,  and  then  P  e  roots  spread  wider  and 
deeper,  being  more  or  less  strong  in  accordance  with  the  growths.  The 
tree  thus  has  secured  to  it  both  a  fibrous  and  extended  root  formation. 
The  practical  point  at  present  is  to  shorten  the  long  shoots  of  recently 
planted  trees  with  necessarily  shortened  roots,  such  as  that  represented. 
Thousands  of  such  trees  have  been  ruined  by  leaving  the  young  branches 
intact.  It  may  be  said,  “They  can  be  cut  back  the  second  year.”  Yes  ; 
but  as  a  matter  oflact  not  one  in  a  hundred  is  then  cut  back,  aud  that  is 
where  the  danger  lies.  Safety  rests  in  attending  to  the  matter  now  for 
laying  a  good  foundation  for  future  thrifty  trees.  The  small  shoots  (c, 
tree  A,  fig.  33)  are  to  be  removed  when  growths  are  freely  extending  from 
y,  as  foreshadowed  by  the  dotted  lines. — G.  Abbey. 
(To  be  continued.) 
-  W eather  in  London. — Though  we  have  had  frost,  snow,  and 
hail  since  our  last  issue  went  to  the  press,  we  have  had  no  real  winter. 
The  snow  that  fell  on  Thursday,  Friday,  and  Monday  did  not  remain 
more  than  a  few  moments.  There  have  been  sharp  frosts  on  two  or  three 
mornings,  and  clear  cold  days.  Sunday  was  particularly  bright  and 
invigorating,  but  since  then  cold  easterly  winds  have  prevailed.  Through¬ 
out  the  whole  of  Tuesday  the  wind  was  bitterly  cold,  but  during  the  night 
it  became  milder.  On  Wednesday  it  was  clear  and  fresh. 
-  W eather  in  the  North. — Dry  seasonable  weather  has  marked 
the  first  eight  days  of  March.  The  days  have  generally  been  clear  in 
the  former  part  with  duller  afternoons.  On  every  morning  but  that  of 
the  6th  frost  has  been  recorded,  increasing  from  2°  on  the  1st  to  9°  on 
Tuesday  morning,  when  the  rime  was  very  dense  and  the  hills  retain 
their  covering  of  snow. — B.  D.,  S.  Perthshire. 
-  Florblegium  IIaarlemense. — Fascicule  5  of  this  work  is 
before  us,  and  the  plates  well  maintain  the  promise  of  the  earlier  number.s. 
It  is  to  be  hoped  the  promoters  are  receiving  ihe  support  they  deserve 
for  the  excellent  manner  in  which  they  are  conducting  their  work. 
The  part  before  us  contains  Hyacinth  Hadyn,  Tulips  Duchesse  de  Parme, 
Thomas  Moore  and  Ophir  d’Or,  with  Narcissi  telamonius  plenus,  incom- 
parabilis  albus  plenus,  and  incomparabilis  plenus  sulphureus.  Each  plate 
is  accompanied  Viy  explanatory  letterpress.  We  may  again  mention  that 
the  publisher  is  De  Erven  Loosjes,  Haarlem,  Holland. 
-  Koyal  Caledonian  Horticultural  Society.— The  prize 
list  and  rules  of  the  two  exhibitions  that  are  to  be  held  under  the 
auspices  of  the  above  Society  are  now  before  us,  and  the  prizes  should 
be  good  enough  and  the  rules  simple  enough  to  insure  two  excellent 
displays.  Both  will  be  held  in  the  Waveiley  Market,  the  spring  show 
on  April  6th  and  7th,  and  the  autumn  one  on  September  14th  and  15th. 
The  latter  is  the  more  important,  and  comprises  263  classes  with  a  total 
of  £366  in  prize  money.  The  Edinburgh  display  of  fruit  is  almost 
invariably  an  excellent  one,  and  this  schedule  gives  particulars  of  117 
classes  all  devoted  to  fruit.  Schedules  and  all  particulars  may  be  had 
from  Mr.  N.  Bryson,  18,  Waverley  Market,  Edinburgh. 
-  National  Amateur  Gardeners’  Association  (Liver¬ 
pool  Branch). — The  first  meeting  of  the  season  was  held  in  the  Common 
Hall,  Hackins  Hey,  Liverpool  ;  the  newly  elected  President,  J.  H. 
Drake,  Esq.,  presiding  over  a  large  attendance  of  members.  The  Chairman 
gave  a  short  address,  chiefly  for  the  encouragement  of  those  members  who 
have  not  as  yet  become  exhibitors,  and  no  doubt  his  remarks  will  bear 
good  fruit,  for  there  is  need  of  more  rivalry  at  the  exhibition  table.  An 
interesting  display  of  spring  bulbs  was  made  ;  Mr.  J.  M.  Smyth  winning 
with  two  miscellaneous  exhibits,  Mr.  Rees  with  Hyacinths  and  Azaleas, 
Mr.  Cangley  with  Calla  blooms,  and  Mr.  Drake  with  an  Orchid  for  a 
special  prize.  The  President  has  kindly  offered  a  special  prize  of  5s.  at 
each  of  the  meetings,  whilst  other  gentlemen  have  given  excellent  special 
awards.  An  attractive  syllabus  has  been  arranged  tor  the  ensuing  season. 
It  is  intended  to  hold  a  social  evening  at  the  end  of  the  month .-—R.  P.  R. 
-  Isle  op  Wight. — The  monthly  meeting  of  the  Isle  of  Wight 
Horticultural  Improvement  Association  was  held  at  Newport  on  Saturday. 
Dr.  J.  Groves,  B.A.,  J.P.,  presided  over  a  large  meeting  present  to  hear 
a  paper  read  by  Mr.  J.  H.  Perkin,  Tlie  Gardens,  Los  Altos,  Sandown> 
on  “  The  Cultivation  of  Asparagus.”  i\fr,  Perkin,  unfortunately,  could 
not  be  present,  and  the  paper  was  read  by  the  Chairman.  An  interesting 
and  profitable  discussion  ensued.  Mr.  R.  Parsons  received  the  Associa¬ 
tion  certiScate  for  cultural  merit  for  a  collection  of  Cyclamens.  A  vote 
of  condolence  was  passed  with  Captain  Evelegh,  an  honorary  member  of 
the  Association,  in  the  loss  of  Mrs.  Evelegh.  The  questions  as  to  forma 
of  certificates  for  the  forthcoming  Island  shows  and  the  printing  of  the 
monthly  proceedings  for  circulation  amongst  the  members  were,  after 
some  discussion,  deferred  to  another  meeting.  It  was  decided  that  the 
April  meeting  should  be  held  at  Shanklin,  and  take  the  form  of  an  exhi¬ 
bition  of  spring  flowers.  The  arrangement  of  excursions  for  the  forth¬ 
coming  season  were  left  with  the  Secretary.  At  the  close  of  a  most 
pleasant  and  instructive  meeting  twelve  new  members  were  elected,  which 
brings  the  total  to  250. — S.  11. 
