506 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
December  6,  1900. 
Tlie  Care  of  ^oots. 
I  NEED  not  stop  to  explain  that  “  roots  ”  is  here  used  in  a  limited 
sense,  certain  trees  being  mainly  in  the  writer’s  mind,  and  the  more 
important  of  these  fruit-bearing  tree.=.  More  than  one  cultural 
process  goes  to  render  fruit  trees  annually  fruitful,  but  each  and  all 
of  these  may  be  rendered  nugatory  if  one  is  so  unwise  as  to  permit 
the  roots  to  reimin  untended,  unthought  of,  and  uncared  for.  The 
need  there  is  for  root  cultivation,  which  includes  pruning  as  well  as 
other  phares  of  treatment,  is  so  pressingly  urgent  to  those  who 
understand  its  value,  that  they  become  sometimes  impatient  of 
others  who  waste  all  their  other  labours  through  neglecting  this  one 
important  matter. 
Having  once  again  arrived  at  the  period  that  roots  are  most 
effectively  dealt  with,  it  will  be  most  convenient  to  touch  first  of  all 
on  the  treatment  of  young  trees.  The  rule  is  a  good  o  e,  to  lift 
young  trees  twelve  months  after  planting,  and  it  applies  to  all  fruit 
trees.  Apples,  Pears,  Plums,  Apricots,  and  Peaches.  If  the  trees  are 
making  an  over-luxuriant  growth,  lifting  and  replanting  gives  the 
necessary  check ;  or,  on  the  other  hand,  if  the  growth  has  been  less 
■satisfactory  than  seems  desirable,  the  reason  for  this  can  be  determined, 
some  better  soil  given,  or  any  other  imperfection  removed  or  rectified. 
This  process  may  be  beneficially  undertaken,  also,  in  the  case  of  trees 
two  and  three  years  planted,  or  an  interval  of  two  years  may  be 
allowed  to  elapse  instead  of  lilting  annually,  but  two  years  is  certainly 
the  longest  interval  that  should  be  permitted.  And  it  is  to  be 
remarked  that  the  value  of  transplanting  trees  in  the  manner  indicated 
does  not  lapse  with  the  year  that  follows,  but  it  remains  for  very  many 
years,  even  should  i  o  further  care  be  expended  on  the  roots.  This 
occurs,  no  doubt,  from  the  tree  having  been  obliged  to  assume  a  less 
vigorous  though  not  a  less  robust  habit  of  growth,  from  the  shoots  at 
this  young  stage  becoming  fruitful,  and  this  in  turn  being  perpetuated 
in  succeeding  years. 
Merely  tran.^planting  is  of  itself  a  valuable  aid,  but  when  the  roots 
are  out  of  the  ground  the  opportunity  should  be  taken  to  shorten  all 
the  stronger  ones  in  order  to  induce  the  formation  of  an  increased 
number  of  those  of  a  more  fibrous  nature.  Care,  however,  should  be 
taken  to  preserve  a  ball  of  soil  unbroken  round  the  bole  of  the  tree. 
Peaches,  Apricots,  and  in  a  less  degree  Plums  and  Pears,  after  having 
been  treated  as  indicated  above,  properly  planted  with  the  bole  shallow' 
rather  than  deep,  regularly  attended  to  with  surface  dressings  and  the 
management  of  the  shoots  efficiently  ordered,  hardly  ever  require  any 
other  attention  at  the  root.  In  the  case  of  Apples  it  is,  however, 
different,  though,  no  doubt,  some  varieties  require  less  attention  than 
otheis;  but  generally  it  may  be  said  that  the  Apple,  in  order  ,  to 
produce  high-class  fruits  regularlj'  and  abundantly,  must  not  be 
neglected  at  root. 
After,  early  youth  this  assumes  the  process  of  root-pruning,  its 
simplest  form  being  a  trench  dug  semiciicularly  at  the  distance  of 
3  to  6  feet  from  the  bole  of  the  tree,  and  sufficiently  deep  to  sever 
every  root  within  the  radius  of  the  operation.  Large  trees  may  have 
only  one-third  or  one-lourth  (f  the  circumference  cut  in  tme  year,  and 
in  determining  the  safe  amount  to  be  done  at  one  time,  a  sound 
judgment  is  very  necessary,  as  cases  occur  where  too  drastic  measures 
have  resulted  in  death  to  the  trees.  This  is  even  more  important  in 
the  case  of  those  trees  that  have  been  neglected  when  young.  If  the 
material  thrown  out  from  the  trench  can  be  replaced  by  sound,  fresh 
loam,  that  would,  of  course,  be  of  much  value;  but,  as  a  rule,  fresh 
soil  from  the  nearest  quarter  is  as  good  as  one  can  hope  for.  The 
results  following  the  operation  in  large  trees  are  invariably  the  same. 
In  the  case  of  neglected  trees,  which  afford  a  better  illustration  of  the 
bentfita  of  root-pruning  than  lho>e  kept  under  control,  truitfu'ness 
succeeds  sterility  ;  fruits  of  poor  quality,  or  imperfect,  or  diseased,  are 
followed  by  clean,  large,  and  perfect  fruits,  and  these  results  are  so 
marked  that  no  one  can  gainsay  the  improvements  effected. 
In  the  case  of  trees  regularly  root-pruned,  the  benefits  are  not  so 
marked,  but  the  trers  are  kept  under  better  control,  there  is  hardly 
ever  a  break  in  the  fertility  of  the  trees,  and  the  size  and  quality  o’ 
the  fruit  never  vary  greatly,  while  the  health  of  the  trees  suffers  in  a 
less  degree  from  changes  of  weather  in  diHerent  years,  and  there  is  n  i 
doubt  that  canker  less  easily  gains  a  footing  on  trees  thus  cultivated. 
One  reason,  not  sufficiently  considered,  why  root-pruning  when 
properly  effected,  always  gives  satisfaction  is  that  the  young  roots 
produced  from  the  parts  operated  on  have  fresh,  thoroughly  cultivated 
soil  to  work  in.  This  may  serm  a  matter  of  no  great  importance,  but 
to  those  who  have  studied  the  question  of  sod  cultivation  and  who 
have  noted  the  marvellous  effects  produced  by  merely  breaking  up 
soil  thoroughly,  it  must  be  apparent  that  this  is  one  of  not  the  least 
valuable  concomitants  of  root-pruning.  Its  importance  is  very  clearly 
seen  in  the  case  of  shrubs.  If  for  instance  we  select  two  hedges  of 
Yew,  one  of  w'hich  we  wish  to  restrain  in  growth,  and  the  other  it  is 
desired  should  make  a  more  abundant  growth.  In  the  latter  case  the 
object  may  be  attained  by  cutting  a  trench  3  or  4  feet  from  the  base 
of  the  hedge  and  then  fill  this  either  with  good  soil  or  manure  and 
soil,  and  the  result  will  be  a  great  increase  of  growth.  To  insure  a 
less  growth  we  have  only  to  cut  the  roots  by  turning  over  a  top  spit 
and  thrusting  a  sharp  spade  to  the  undermost  layer,  thus  cutting  the 
roots  without  moving  the  soil,  and  equally  certain  will  be  the  result 
in  this  case. 
Most  shi  ubs  in  imperfect  health  if  not  too  old  may  be  rendered 
healthy  by  cutting  a  trench  partly  round  at  intervals  of  a  year  or  two, 
till  all  the  circumference  has  been  cultivated.  What  may  appear 
strange  is  that  a  trench  cut  just  outside  the  roots  makes  no  difference, 
but  cut  the  roots  and  the  effect  for  good  is  not  long  in  becoming 
apparent,  the  reason  being  that  not  only  are  a  greater  number  of  roots 
produced  but  the  soil  provided  for  them  is  in  the  best  condition  to 
promote  vigorous  vegetation. — R.  P.  Beothekston. 
- - 
Wild  Flowers  of  Old  English  Gardens.— 11. 
Mt  has  been  truly  said  that  even  a  savage  might  easily  learn  to 
recognise  a  plant  of  the  Cruciferous  order;  the  six  stamens,  four  long,, 
tw  >  shoit,  the  four  sepals  and  petals,  with  the  cross-like  character  of 
the  latter,  separate  it  from  all  other  orders,  while  any  wanderer  can  be 
sure  that  if  one  of  these  plants  may  be  unpleasant  tasted,  it  cannot 
possibly  be  dangerous  to  life.  People  have  called  this  the  most  valuable 
natural  order,  certainly  [it  is  an  important  one  owing  to  the  many 
edible  species  it  contains.  Considered  as  a  source  of  ornamental 
plants,  it  must  take  rank  below  some  of  our  native  groups,  which 
exhibit  tall  and  showy  flowers,  but  a  number  of  garden  favourites, 
British  and  exotic,  belong  to  it,  often  annuals  merely,  yet  effective  grown 
in  quantity.  No  doubt  Cressfs  and  other  edible  species  of  the  tribe 
were  the  fi  st  that  people  sought  out,  afterwards  those  merely  orna¬ 
mental  received  notice.  Indeed,  it  would  appear  that  some  did 
formerly  serve  for  food  or  medicine,  and  also  for  show  m  a  garden, 
such  as  the  abundant  Cuckoo-flower  or  Lady’s  Smock. 
Some  of  these  plants  made  their  way  into  gardens  uninvited;  the 
Wallflower,  for  instance,  which  took  up  its  position  on  old  brick  walls, 
or  secured  gaps  where  earth  had  lodged  in  walls  of  flint.  Probably 
our  I  ative  species  is  the  shrubby  Cheiranthus  fruticulosus,  which 
has  its  flowers  of  a  uniform  golderi  yellow,  but  the  dark-hued 
C.  Cheiri  also  grows  seemingly  wild,  though  it  came  to  us  from  the 
Continent.  Thus,  it  has  Ions:  been  familiar  in  the  West  of  England, 
and  is  called  there  “  Blood-red  Warrior,”  so  Mr.  Friend  states,  being 
planted  along  window  ledges  on  the  supposition  that  it  serves  as  a 
guard  to  the  abode.  Our  own  Wallflower,  in  the  eyes  of  our  ancestors, 
who  saw  it  often  mantling  some  old  ruin,  was  an  emblem  of  friendship 
under  adversity.  A  double  flowered  variety  of  this,  but  still  yellow, 
was  shown  by  Gt  orgian  gardeners.  Many  a  wall  years  ago,  as  sometimes 
now,  displayed  a  humbler  dweller  on  brickwork,  the  little  Whitlow 
Grass,  allied  to  larger  species  of  the  genus  Arabi.>-',  that  we  often  see  on 
banks  and  rockeries.  People  looked  after  its  starry  clusters  of  pure 
white  flowers  in  the  spring,  becaure  the  plant  was  steeped  in  milk  te 
cure  whitlows  and  waits.  It  is  one  of  the  Crucifers  that  is  rather 
acrid. 
People  say  that  the  Penny  Cress,  or  Mithridate  Mustard 
(Thiaspi  arvense),  used  to  be  grown  in  gardens ;  possibly  it  was,  for 
use,  if  not  for  ornament.  The  flowers  are  small  and  not  conspicuous, 
but  the  large  pouches  are  curious,  their  form  and  size  suggesting  a 
comparison  lo  a  silver  penny.  Its  seeds,  from  their  pungency,  were 
mixed  into  the  famed  composition  called  the  Mithridate  Confection. 
It  formerly  grew  about  Willesden,  near  London,  and  I  still  find  it  at 
Gravesend,  but  rarely.  Our  native  Candytuft  also  seems  scarce  as  a 
wild  flower  ;  it  occurs  on  chalky  fields  like  the  Penny  Cress,  and  had 
an  early  place  in  gardens  from  the  brightness  of  its  white  clusters. 
As  an  annual,  and  perennial  too,  it  maintains  a  position  of  popularity 
in  several  varieties.  One  of  the  favourite  components  of  the  rustio 
nosegay  in  bygone  times  was  the  Lady’s  Smock  or  Cuckoo-flower,  though 
it  is  not  the  only  possessor  of  the  latter  name.  We  notice  it  sumetinies 
scattered  over  a  whole  meadow,  then  singularly  disappearing ;  coming 
into  gardens  it  was  allowed  to  remain,  where,  under  culture,  the 
flowers  became  darker,  and  would  assume  a  double  form,  as,  indeed,, 
they  do  occasionally  if  wild.  Like  the  Primrose  and  Violet,  the  lilac 
or  white  blooms  were  linked  with  the  spring  season,  and  the  tops  eaten 
as  an  adjunct  to  salads.  Its  La  in  name  <  f  Cardamine  pratensis 
alludes  to  a  belief  that  this  plant  strengthened  the  heart. 
Stocks,  of  which  we  have  many  annual  and  biennial  varieties,  the 
Ten- Week  and  German  being  in  steady  demand,  were  preceded  by  our 
native  species  of  Matthiola,  which  are  of  maritime  habit.  The  south 
of  England  M.  incana  got  into  some  London  gardens,  but,  as  Sir  J.  E. 
Sniith  observes,  it  usually  died  the  first  winter.  Its  attraction  was  the 
large  purplish  flowers,  often  double.  But  Miss  Plues  says  that  some 
