ART. VI. Education of Gardeners.

Emigration. "Sir, - After reading the Second Number of your Magazine, we were quite lifted up with the hopes of being put up to some easy method of obtaining a good education; but we were as much disappointed when we saw your article on the education, or rather the emigration, of gardeners.

"In that article you recommend those gardeners who are too old or incapable of receiving much instruction, to emigrate to America, &c., and engage themselves as common country labourers of all work. It is not likely that an old man is capable of acting upon any part of your recommendation. What, then, is to become of him? Like Adam, he is to be turned out of the garden, and sent to the field; but not for the same offence, certainly: the first was for eating of the fruit of the tree of knowledge, and the last was, because he could eat no more.

"Your recommendation might apply very well to those who are disinclined to, or incapable of, much improvement; but even to them you ought to have pointed out the means of emigration, as change of profession would be of no use in a country where so many thousands are out of employment, and would emigrate if it were in their power.

"Next come your hints to young gardeners, where you recommend to them that they have no pleasures,' and lose no time,' &c. We know of no pleasures that they can part with; as all beyond what they take in the study of their business is out of their reach, and for an obvious reason-want of money. It is a very good advice to give to any one, that they lose no time; and we are aware that nothing valuable can be obtained without perseverance: but we were very much disappointed in not seeing you follow up your promise, to shew us the best way to work out our education. "A MIDDLE-AGED GARDENER."

It is evident that our correspondent does not belong to the class who ought either to emigrate or change their profession. But as he writes no doubt in behalf of our younger brethren, we thank him for his opinion, and shall fulfil our promise by degrees. In the mean time he will find some hints for the employment of their winter evenings in our Encyclopædia (p. 1138, 2d ed.), and some books, worth purchasing for them, in our next Number.-Cond.

Self-Education. "I perfectly agree with you on the importance of self education of gardeners, and for your fatherly advice on this head accept my best thanks; and I think every young gardener must hold himself indebted to you for it. I somewhat differ with you in opinion respecting transformation and emigration of gardeners; the first meets my fixed opinion, but the latter, I think, will not answer so well. I consider, that a man who has got a head fit to emigrate with; is fit to remain at home; if he has nothing but hard labour to look forward to, he will be happier under it in his native land. I think it is necessary for an emigrant to have either a full head or a full purse.

"The observations on the self-education of gardeners require to be carried to a greater extent. In the first place, their wages will not afford them books, and, secondly, they are at a loss to know what books will come in cheapest and most instructive. As a remedy for the first, I have sometimes thought of gardeners forming clubs or societies for purchasing books; and should feel very much gratified if some of your numerous correspondents would suggest a plan for it, as I think it would be very beneficial could it be accomplished. I beg the favour of some of your more learned correspondents, or yourself (as I think no one more able), to inform us what books a young gardener's library ought to contain for his required education; that is, such as come in for the least money, and contain the most information; where they are to be got, and what their prices are. "I am, Sir, yours, &c.

"SENSITIVA."

We have prepared such a list as our correspondent asks for, but find we have not room for it in this Number. In the mean time we invite our readers to assist us with some ideas on the subject. What book is to be got equivalent, in point of comprehensiveness, to Macgregor's Mathematics, a school-book in general use in Edinburgh about twenty-five years ago, but now out of print?-Cond.

ART. VII.-Answers to Queries.

Hybrid Currants." Sir,-In reply to the query of 'RIBES,' in the Second Number of your excellent Magazine, viz. If any hybrids have been originated between the black and red currant ? &c.' I beg leave to state for his information, that in the year 1822, I impregnated a blossom of a white currant, with the pollen of a black currant. The berry contained only one seed, which produced a healthy, vigorous tree; more like in its habit to a black currant than to a white one; but the leaves without the scent belonging to the black currant; and the blossoms in regular racemes, like the white currant. In 1825, this plant blossomed, but not one

blossom set.

I did not see it for two months after it was in blossom, and then the flower stalks were hanging upon it, but not the slightest vestige of a currant. This spring I was again absent at the time the plant was in flower, and did not see it for a month afterwards; there was still, at that time, a very fine crop of stalks, but not a currant to be found. If I am at home next spring, I will

endeavour to ascertain what portion of the inflorescence is defective.
"London, Great Alie Street, No. 22.

August 16, 1826."

"I am, Sir, &c.
"ROBERT LACHLAN."

Black Insect which infests Cherry Trees. of your Magazine, the enquiry of your correspondent, W. B. B., if there is any "Sir, observing in the last Number remedy for the small black insect which infests his cherry trees, I beg leave to state the method which I have practised with success. spring, after unnailing the trees, I wash the wall with a mixture of tobaccoIn winter, or early in water and soft soap, forcing it into the nail-holes with a syringe, or the garden engine, as I find the little enemy chooses those places for his winter quarters, as may be seen in a mild, dull morning in spring; when great numbers of them are observed leaving their lurking-places, and strolling about in quest of the yet unexpanded leaf. I am careful, also, after the trees are pruned, to wash every part of the tree with the liquor; (our peach, and nectarine, as well as our cherry trees, were very much infected:) and never to use the old shreds. I never found the least appearance of them on trees thus used; although others, within a short distance of them on the same wall, were nearly destroyed. I ought to have observed, that the trees thus served, were, the preceding season, in a wretched state. Allow me, also, to state, that on trees much infected, there are always great numbers of the little winged insects known here by the name of lady-fly; but whether they are instrumental in producing them, or, like the ant, feed on their larvæ, I have not yet been able to determine.

"New mode of grafting the Vine. — Before I conclude, allow me to state a method of grafting the vine, which, as far as I know, is not generally known. The stock and graft must be both shoots of the present year. time to perform the operation, to be when the shoots have advanced about two or I consider the best three feet. The stock is cut as for common whip-grafting, within a short distance of last year's wood; and the graft is prepared as for inarching, leaving about two inches at the lower end of it entire, to be placed in a bottle of water suspended from the trellis. They are then tied and clayed in the usual manner. Care must be taken to fill up the bottle every day. If the operation is performed judiciously, they will readily unite. complete success. I have also budded the vine in spring, with If you think the above, or any part of it, worthy your notice, you may make what use of it you think fit. I am, Sir, "Your obedient humble servant,

"Near Worcester, July 18."

"S. L."

Orchideous Plants are removed with difficulty from their native localities to the garden, and when brought there, retained in a state of cultivation with greater difficulty than most others; but they are a most elegant and interesting order of plants, and great favourites with botanists: and we are sure our readers will join with us in thanking Mr. Stock for the valuable information which he has elicited by his query. We insert the letters in the order in which we received them.

"Sir, the best mode of preserving the bee Orchis, (Ophrys apifera), and the fly. Orchis (0. muscifera), is as follows. They should be removed with a large quantity of mould attached to their roots. They delight in a dry situation. 1 have had them flower freely in brick rubbish. All other sorts that I know of do best in a shady situation. I am, Sir, &c.

"Cheshunt, Herts. July 24, 1826."

"W. HIRST,

"Gardener to Jos. BATHO, Esq."

In compliance with the request of your correspondent, Mr. DANIEL STOCK, respecting the bee Orchis, &c., in No III. p. 358, of your excellent Magazine, I send you the following account of the method of cultivating some of the orchideous plants, that I have tried with perfect success in the nursery of my employers, Messrs. C. and J. Young. In the month of April, I remove, with a moderate portion of earth, from their native habitation, the following interesting and peculiarly elegant species,-Orchis pyramidalis; Gymnadenia conopsea; Platanthera bifolia [Lindl. in Don. Cat. ed. 11.] (butterfly); Aceras anthropophora (green man); Herminium monorchis (musk); Ophrys muscifera (fly); O. apifera (bee); and Epipactis pallens. I plant them on a sloping bank, composed of turfy loam and chalk, in an eastern exposure. The plants thus treated, flower considerably stronger, and remain a longer time in bloom than those at Box Hill, from whence they were obtained in 1824. This season they are also ripening their seeds in abundance, and I expect to have the bank covered with seedling plants the ensuing spring. I have no doubt but the remaining species that are fond of a cretaceous soil, such as Orchis hircina; O. Smithii, [Sweet in Obs. B. F. Gard. 163.] &c.; would succeed equally well with similar treatment. The common species, O. latifolia, &c., including a perfectly white variety of O. morio, excepting the green lines of the perianthium, and which may be named O. morio, var. alba, found in a meadow near Epsom, I remove as above, and I plant them in a mixture of turfy loam and peat, in a moist, shady situation; the success attending them has been precisely the same as with the preceding. Having thus endeavoured to coincide with the wishes of

"Epsom Nursery, August 29, 1826."

your correspondent, and being desirous of making a complete collection of indigenous orchideæ, I should feel much obliged to him, or to any of your correspondents, who could furnish me with the species not mentioned above as being in my cultivation. The following North American species I cultivate successfully on a bank of sandy loam and peat: Spiranthes cernua; Calopogon pulchellus; Cypripedium spectabile; Liparis liliifolia; Goodyera pubescens. Drawings of the two last, by Mr. J. Nairn, of this nursery, accompany this. (Fig.96). (a) Good"I am, Sir, &c.

"GEORGE PENNY."

We have seen a number of drawings by Mr. Nairn, accurately and beautifully done, considering that he never had any instructions, and only occupies his leisure hours in this way. Cond.

<< Sir. Reading your excellent Magazine early in July, I found (at page 358), a query from Mr. D. STOCK, relative to the culture of Orchises; and I respectfully presume to offer you a short account of the treatment to which I have subjected the kinds mentioned by him, and most of the other British orchidea, with a very satisfactory result. Acting under the direction of my father,

I divested them of all their native soil, so that a momentary torpidity ensued ; and there was no opposite qualities of earth to absorb nor prevent the regular filter of water. This was done when they were collected from the field, and in full bloom; they were then potted, three to six bulbs in each pot; the pots used were from four to six inches in diameter, and well drained with fragments of limestone about two inches deep in each pot. The earth used was Maiden loam, of various qualities, avoiding those of the most arid and argillaceous quality. These soils were not compounded, but each was used separate, with a view to ascertain which kind suited them best. They were then plunged in coal ashes, about three feet to the north of a wall six feet high, where they remained until October or November, when they were plunged in saw-dust, in a cold frame, with the Cypripediums, and other choice herbaceous plants, taken from the classed ground for winter protection. They were removed from the frame to the former north border situation on the appearance of the leaves and flower stems, early in May, where they flowered in succession, very strong; and some of the kinds by far exceeded those in their natural place of growth; particularly the Ophrys muscifera; O. apifera; O. aranifera; which now (August), have fine healthy pericarps, with a full crop of seed in them. The kinds I have domesticated with so much success, are

"The only perceptible difference in the plants was, that those in the strongest loam had better colours than those in the light loam. The success appears to arise from adopting partial shade, and avoiding the reflection from the soil of the cultivated flower border; by which means we have grown and increased the Cypripediums with equal success. Four years ago, a weak root of C. spectabile, with only one crown bud, was put under the above kind of treatment, and this year it has thirteen stems, ten of which have bloomed

"Welbeck Gardens, August 29, 1826."

"I am, Sir, &c.

"J. THOMPSON, Jun.”

Training standard Fruit Trees en quenouille. —" Sir: In the second number of your excellent Gardener's Magazine, an allusion is made to a mode of pruning apple and pear trees by a method very little known, so as to diminish their size. It is termed en quenouille.' May I request you to give a more detailed account of the method in a future number, so as to enable any common gardener to put it in practice. Permit me to add, that you would be doing great service to the public, were you to give a few general and simple rules on pruning in general, as applicable to different sorts of fruit trees. It appears to me that this might easily and profitably be accomplished by classing the fruit trees, according to their mode and place of bearing their fruit. For example; apples, pears, plums, cherries, bear nearly alike on natural spurs, the whole length of the branches; such branches, therefore, should not be shortened, (excepting to produce wood, &c.) On the contrary, peaches, nectarines, apricots, Morello cherries, &c. &c. bear on the last year's wood, and such trees require shortening to produce young bearing wood, &c. I beg your consideration of this subject in your next number. “I am, &c. G. P.".

97

Training en quenouille, or distaff fashion, is very little different from what among gardeners is called spurring in; that is, shortening all the side shoots of the main or leading shoot, so as their bases may form bearing spurs (fig. 98. g). Choose a tree that has a leading shoot in an upright direction (fig.97.a); having planted it, shorten the side shoot, leaving only two or three buds, and the leading shoot according to its strength (b), so that every bud may produce a shoot.

The first summer, if the plant is vigorous (fig. 98. c), the leading shoot may be shortened (d), by which operation it will throw out shoots from the young wood (e).

At the winter pruning, all the side shoots may be shortened to two or three buds, and the leading shoot to such a number as it is believed will push (ƒ). This process is to be repeated every year, till the tree attains the height required,

98

or that which is natural to it. In cutting in the side shoots, the spurs at the base are every year allowed to protrude a little farther, so that at twelve or fifteen years' growth, the tree will present the appearance of a narrow cone or distaff. The use of shortening the leading stem, is to get it regularly clothed with spurs (g).

With respect to instructions for pruning fruit trees in general, we hope some of our correspondents will enable us to fulfil the wishes of G. P. In the mean time, we would recommend to him Harrison's Treatise on Fruit Trees, 1 vol. 8vo. Cond.

Rosa Grevillii.-"Goldworth Nursery near Woking. Dear Sir; You will no doubt recollect the shoot I showed you of my Greville rose, which grew eighteen feet in a few weeks. It is now in bloom, and is the most singular curiosity of all the rose tribe that has come under my observation; it grows on an E. by N. aspect, on the gable end of my house, covering above 100 feet square, with more than a hundred trusses of bloom. Some of them have more than fifty buds in a cluster, and the whole will average about thirty in a truss, so that the amount of flower buds is little if any short of 3000. But the most astonishing curiosity is the variety of colours produced on the buds at first opening. White, light blush, deeper blush, light red, darker red, scarlet, and purple—all on the same clusters. As my Greville rose is the only one I have seen in bloom, I should be glad to know through your valuable Gardener's Magazine, whether the above are the characters of the rose generally, or whether mine is a singular or new variety. I am, Dear Sir, &c.

"R. DONALD."

A box of flowers sent us by Mr. Donald, were unquestionably those of the true R. multiflora var. Grevillii, which is easily known by the fringed edge of the leaf-stalk, (fig. 99. a), while those of the common multiflora have much less fringe, and