97

Training en quenouille, or distaff fashion, is very little diffe ent 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 he 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

C

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 Grevilli.-"Goldworth Nurs ry 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

altogether smaller and less rugose leaves (b). The form of the blossom and clusters are pretty much alike in both sorts (c).-Cond.

"Q. R." is informed that we do not know that there is such a thing manufactured as cast-iron sun-dials, though we think it very desirable that there should be, as few objects are better adapted for ornamenting small flower-gardens. Neither do we know that there are any cast-iron statues, though some of them would be equally valuable in garden scenery. The statue of Apollo, for instance, when contemplated, is calculated to elevate the feelings, and dignify and purify the mind of the beholder, while that of Venus softens and humanises, by its beauty and grace.

Malope trifida, Wild. Is the name of the plant, a specimen of which was sent by Julia. It is a hardy annual belonging to Malvacea, a native of Barbary, where it grows in corn fields, and has much the same appearance there as the corn poppy has here, excepting that the colour of the former is rose or lake red, and that of the latter scarlet. We have seen beautiful specimens of it from the garden of Robert Barclay, Esq. F. H.S., of Bury Hill, Surrey; it promises to be one of our most splendid half hardy annuals. "G. D."

Cara of Brazil. "Sir: The Brazilian esculent root which G. S. enquires after, is, I presume, the cara of Rio de Janeiro, and is a variety of Dioscorea sativa, the skin of which is white, and tuber somewhat round, but irregular in form. It is certainly superior in flavour to the long-rooted varieties of yam, but is inferior to the potatoe in every respect but size, although it may be preferred by most persons to the potatoes generally grown for the Brazilian market, which are watery and bad tasted; yet in some of the private gardens of the British merchants very good potatoes are cultivated. The name of 'cara' is frequently given to other esculent roots in that country; the principal of which is Jatropha manihot, but the proper appellation appears to be Ipe,' simply signifying in the aboriginal language a root;' but even the name of 'Ipe,' as it relates to J. manihot, is more properly applied to the innoxious variety of that species, and is known to the cultivators in being less livid in the colour of the leaves and stems; I never could learn whether this variety was permanent or casual; I think the latter, but do not assert it positively, as the fruits of all the enquiries which I made on the subject tended to a mysterious doubt, which can only be removed by a strict series of observations during culture. The mandioca is always cultivated by cuttings of nine or twelve inches in length, and the Ipe' frequently appears in patches of the field, where the feitor' (steward or overseer), or the slaves do not recollect planting cuttings of it. If not a permanent

variety, does any peculiarity in the soil destroy or neutralize the noxious qualities of the plant? The Ipe' is eaten in a crude state with perfect safety; when boiled, it eats something like yam; I consider it also inferior to the potatoe, in every respect, excepting size. (I except it in its prepared state as cassada.) It is in general repute, especially among the poorer classes; in the city of S. Paulo, and other towns of that captaincy, it is carried about the streets ready boiled and hot, twice a-day. It may surprise G. S. to be thus told that two such distinct species as those, belonging to Dioscorea and Jatropha, sometimes pass under the same vernacular denominations, but it is true, and may arise from the casual introduction of the indigenous plant of one district to that of another, when a known vulgar name is frequently adapted to the new introduction. From the above observations, I trust you will (at least in this instance) rebut the charge of G. S. of collectors abroad, "not attending to the uses and application of plants." The uses of the plants, as far as known by observation or enquiry, is always marked on the lists of the collections, and are generally forwarded to the cultivators, who are the really guilty in swelling catalogues, and to whose remarks some botanical writers too readily give way, and adopt many hybrids, while they expel legitimate species, and cause a continual confusion among the nicer links in the grand chain of nature, which would otherwise, from modern research, become more complete every day—but generations must pass before the whole can, if ever, be elucidated. "Yours, &c. &c.

"J. B."

ART. VIII. Queries and Suggestions.

"Sir,-If the three underwritten brief suggestions are worthy of your acceptance, or if they will be the means of inducing any person to effect something of the same kind, they are at your service.

"June, 1826."

"I am, Sir, your constant reader,

"S. FELTON."

"1. Would it be desirable to have A Catalogue Raisonnée of Books on Horticulture, English and foreign? The first series of the English catalogue to be brought down to the demise of Henry VIII.; the second to that of Charles II.; the third to that of George II; the fourth to that of George III.

"Nearly fifty years ago I saw, in the libraries at Caen and Rouen, several AngloNorman MSS. on the cultivation of cider, and on general agriculture, and very possibly there may be some concerning horticulture. Many libraries on the Continent, no doubt, will throw light on this subject, particularly those of Ghent, Bruges, Brussels, and Holland.

"2. A curious work might be formed by giving copies of some of those plates which adorn many old books which contain descriptions of some of our old English gardens, belonging to our ancient religious houses, or to the mansions of our old nobility and gentry. Some of these plates are by admirable (foreign) engravers. They might be classed under each county, and brought down to the demise of George II.

"Ray dedicates his Flora to Lady Gerrard, of Gerrard's Bromley, in Staffordshire. Plot gives a plate of this mansion, and part of its garden. See also the garien in Vertue's fine whole-length print of Sir P. Sydney. Perhaps there may be somewhere a plate of Sir W. Raleigh's garden at Shirburne, in Dorsetshire. We have this account of bis house: "A most fyne house, beautified with orchardes, gardens, and groves of such varietie and delyghte, that whether you consider the goodnesse of the soyle, the pleasauntnesse of the seate, and other delycacies belonging to it, it is unparalleled by any in these partes."

"What information, on this head, might have been gleaned from the late Sir W. Temple, or from Kent, or from even him who has immortalized Kent, from Mr. Pope himself, whose chief delight was in his own garden, or from Mr. Evelyn,

Mr. Gray, Mr. Mason, or from Mr. Bates, the celebrated and ancient horticulturist of High Wickham, who died there some few years ago, at the great age of eighty-nine!

"This work might include many scattered and curious gleanings from our old gardens. I will mention only one: "Talking of hedges," says Mr. Cobbett, in one of his Rural Rides, "reminds me of having seen a box-hedge just as I came out of Petworth, more than twelve feet broad, and about fifteen feet high. I dare say it is several centuries old. I think it is about forty yards long. It is a great curiosity." In some of the villages near Northampton, are some elder trees of singularly unusual size. About the year 1688, many gardens would then have furnished one with what is now suggested, if we may judge from what Worlidge then wrote: "Neither is there a noble or pleasant seat in England, but hath its gardens for pleasure and delight. So that we may, without vanity, conclude, that a garden of pleasant avenues, walks, fruits, flowers, grots, and other branches springing from it, well composed, is the only complete and permanent inanimate object of delight the world affords."

"3. A Biography of some early Horticulturalists would diffuse much curious matter."

We should be much gratified if Mr. Felton would supply some of the above interesting desiderata himself. Though we have not the advantage of his acquaintance, and do not know his address, we can infer from his communication that few are so capable of instructing and entertaining the curious horticulturist. A biography of Mr. Bates, or any anecdotes respecting him, would be very acceptable.-Cond.

Sweet Mace." Sir, I have inclosed

a specimen of what is called sweet mace,' a herb very much used in this part of Nottinghamshire; it appears to me to be a species of achillea, perhaps the ageratum: I am induced to send it you because it appears to me to have escaped your notice in the Encyclopædia of Gardening, and I do not find it noticed by its English name either in Domestic Cookery,' or the 'Cook's Oracle.'

"I am, &c.

"T. C. HUDdlestone."

"Newark, Aug. 2. 1826.”

The specimen sent was the achillea

100

serrata (Eng. Bot. 2531.) (fig. 100. a.); achillea ageratum (b) has smaller and more finely cut leaves, and the flowers are of a deep yellow. (I. D. C.S.)

Insects on Wall-fruit Trees. "Suburbs of York, July 20. 1826.-Dear Sir: It appears to me from the inquiries which I have lately made, that an effectual method to destroy insects on wall-fruit trees is very little, if at all, known to the gardeners employed in this part of the country; and if you will be so obliging as to insert in your next "Gardener's Magazine" the most practical and efficacious remedy for attaining this object, you will confer a favour, not only on myself, but on several individuals in this neighbourhood.

"About fourteen years ago a nectarine tree was planted against a brick wall in a south aspect; it is now from twenty-five to thirty feet high, and has been regularly pruned. In consequence of its having invariably been attacked every spring soon after the buds burst out into leaf, with thousands of green flies, which generally make their appearance on the commencement of northerly or easterly winds, the tree has never had a ripe crop of fruit upon it since planted. These insects continue upon the leaves and shoots until the former turn yellow, shrivel up, and drop off, soon after which, the young fruit, of which there has almost every year been plenty, likewise drop off. About Midsummer, on the rising of

the second sap, the leaves again shoot forth, which gratifies the eye, but adieu to the fruit. Several remedies have been tried, but none have hitherto had the desired effect. In this extremity, therefore, I have taken the liberty to make the above request, and shall be happy if you will take the trouble to enlighten, "Dear Sir, your most obedient Servant, "IGNORAMUS."

Lime-water, or water alone, thrown on the trees night and morning by Read's syringe, or the garden-engine, will effectually subdue the insects in question, and most others. The operation should be begun on their first appearance, Tobaccocontinued till they disappear, and resumed on their re-appearance. water will effect the same object with less labour, but at considerably greater expence of material. The gardener who can command lime-water and tobaccowater, may destroy every insect and reptile, from the aphis to worms, snails, and frogs.-Cond.

Mr. Richard Willis, gardener to Peaches and Nectarines on the same Tree. John Harris, Esq., at Radford, Devonshire, has sent us two peaches and a nectarine, respecting which he says: "I now send you two peaches and one nectarine, which were grown on one branch, ten inches from each other. The tree was a maiden plant, and said to be the Chancellor peach, when I planted it In 1824 in 1815. It has been ever since solely pruned and trained by me. there was a fine crop of peaches on this tree; and as I was thinning the fruit in the usual way, I discovered one branch with twelve nectarines on it, which I was much surprised to see, knowing as I did that I had no man on the ground that could insert a bud. In 1825 there were twenty-six nectarines on the same branch. I gathered five out of six of them that were left to ripen, and they were as large as the peaches. This season there were thirty-six nectarines on the same branch; I left four or five of them, with eighteen peaches, all on the same branch. This tree is planted against a wall, having a south aspect: it spreads seventeen or eighteen feet, and is about twelve feet high. The number of fruit on this tree left to ripen this year is upwards of two hundred, and they are very fine. I The plant, as I have said, came to me by the name of the Chancellor peach. do not believe it to be that sort. If any of your readers can say what is the cause of this tree producing two sorts of fruit, I shall feel much obliged by the information. "I am, Sir, &c.

"Radford, Sept. 4. 1326."

"RICHARD WILLIS."

The peaches were large, handsome, and high coloured; the nectarine was smaller, and as dark as the Elruge: both peaches and also the nectarine are cling-stones, and high flavoured. One of the peaches is almost as smooth on one side as the nectarine. We have suggested to Mr. Willis to insert some buds from this branch in any other peach-tree, or in a plum-tree, and observe whether the Cond. progeny sport as much as the parent.

Description of an unknown Plum.-"Age fifty-four years, in health, good bearer, on strong soil, against an east brick wall; ripens in August, annual shoots small, leaves not larger than the sloe; fruit and stalk in shape and size like a green gage. After the fruit has stoned, it passes from green to orange colour, thence into orange and purple streaked. It uitimately matures into the deep colour of the Fotheringham. Superior to the Orleans, inferior in dessert to the Perdrigon. Flesh leaves the stone. Excellent for sweetmeats, though inferior to the Sherborn plum, and less acid when preserved. Cuttings shall be sent to you, if you deem the fruit worth cultivating. Its name is not known, nor can I find any descrip"W. R. G." tion of it in the various fruit-catalogues, old or new.

"West Riding, Yorkshire."

We shall be happy to receive cuttings of the plum described, which we shall graft and distribute. The other excellent communications of W. R. G. shall Cond. in due course.

appear

Alpine Strawberry and Red Spider.-" Permit me to call your attention, and, through your publication, that of gardeners generally, to the improvement of the