The National tribune., 1882-03-25

ing as well as profitable objects Of culture
where space is limited; and there is no more
pleasing occupation for fruit amateurs than
is afforded by attending to a choice collec-
ton of pear trees which are grated on
ounce stocks. To derive full benefit from
them a rich soil is indispensable, and good
treatment necessary at all stages of their
existence. In planting these it is essential
to cover the whole OF the ounce stock and
about an inch of the pear stem to prevent
borers from getting a lodgment in the ounce
stock which they are very likely to do if
any portion of it is exposed. Deep planting
in this case is not injurious, as roots will
be produced from all parts of the ounce
under ground.
In planting trees of any kind the tops
should be severely pruned. Even with the
greatest care in lifting, only portion of the
roots can be secured. In the ordinary prac
tice Of lifting trees the roots are subjected to
much mutilation, and the branches or shoots
should be reduced, so as to correspond, to
some degree, with the loss of roots. The
older the tree is when moved the greater
will be the relative loss of roots. For this
reason, young trees are better for general
| planting than older ones. In the case Of
fruit trees, such as the apple, pear, plum,
and cherry, what are known in nurseries as
two-year old trees should be selected.
Peaches are exceptional; few planters would
accept twO-year old trees of these as a gift
one-year old trees are best, and these should
be pruned, so as to appear like walking
canes, when planted.
| Young planters invariably make the mis-
take, If they can, of selecting extra large
trees. The experience of others in this
matter seems of no avail; they must buy
their own experience, and it is oftentimes
very costly The same pruning rules apply
to grapes; whether one year old or two year
old plants are used, they should be pruned
close down, leaving only two or three buds
on the plant. NUrsery-grown trees are usu-
| ally subjected to one or more removals before
| they are considered saleahle, the object being
TO encourage the formation of roots near the
stem; trees thus prepared can be removed
without much risk of failure. This practice
is more particularly directed to some kinds
of ornamental and shade trees, such as the
Tulip tree, Sugar maple, &c, the Silver ma
pie, most Of the Poplars, and all trees which
| make many fbrous roots when young, are
known as easily transplanted trees When
nursery-grown trees are not easily obtained,
and substitutes are selected in the nearest
woodlands and forests, the safest method is
to carefully remove the selected tree, with
all the roots possible, and after it is properly
planted, saw off the stem on a level with the
ground. cluster of young shoots will then
be produced, the best one Of which is selected
and ali the others removed, and in few
years fine tree will result
Deciduous trees should be planted as early
as practicable in spring but evergreen species
are removed with greatest success Just as
their buds commence growth. This is also
the best time to prune evergreens when they
require it. Hedges of Arborvita, Norway
spruce, Hemlock spruce, and lockwood edg-
1ngs should receive their principal shearings
just as spring growth commences; they Will
then speedily put on a fresh growth, but if |
clipping is delayed until growth has well
advanced, the plants viii probably be disfig- |
ured during the entire season.
Lawns and grass plats are much benefited
by rolling after the winter frosts If annual
grasses gained a foothold last summer there |
will now be many ugly bare spots. The |
dead grasses should be raked off and
sprinkling of good soil thrown upon the !
bare places, then SOW them pretty thickly !
with blue grass seed, settling the whole |
thoroughly by rolling with heavy roller.
A great feature in preserving fresh looking |
lawns is that Of cutting the grass very early
and often during the first six weeks of !
growth. This causes the plants to spread |
and form thick surface, and increases their |
ability to withstand the dry days and |
scorching suns of summer.
Satisfactory lawns depend much upon the
care with which they were made. A deeDlv
loosened soil is the first essential, and it
should be moderately enriched. When
thoroughly worked and pulverized SOW the
following mixture the quantities mentioned
beng sufficient for one acre. One bushel
Red Top, (AgrOstis culgaris); two bushels
June, or Blue Grass, (Poa prGtensc); one quart
Timothy, (Phleum lratcasc) and two pounds
White clover, (TritoZium repens). These
quantities should be well mixed before SOW
ing, and unless the ground is particularly
fine on the surface, it will receive sufficient
covering by passing roller over it after
sowing.
HOUSE PLANTs.-The application, or rather
the mis-application Of water, kills more pot
plants than anything else. II is also a mat
ter which does not admit Of being formulated
into definite rules so much depends upon
individual circumstances and surroundings
When plant is wet, it does not, of course.
require water, yet many persons water their
plants daily regardless of individual wants.
When plant is dry, sufficient water should
be given so that it will reach every root. and
penetrate every portion of the soil in the
pot, yet many persons merely sprinkle the
surface, which is constantly damp, while
the great bulk Of the soil is parched. The
condition of the plant must also be consid-
cred in watering Plants in luxuriant
growth, and those, which have filled the
pots with roots, will require more water
than will thosa which ara fa.blo