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SEXES OF STRAWBERRIES.

spring. It scarcely ever proves to be good practice to let them remain another summer. By some they are grown in hills, and not allowed to extend; but the former method is productive of greater results.

A variety of strawberry may produce blossoms, however, which are destitute of stamens, or the male element; or they may be so sessile as not to perform their office of throwing the yellow pollen upon the stigma of the pistil, so as to impregnate it, and the consequence will be utter or partial barrenness. Such plants are called pistilate, or female. Others there are where the pistil is imperfect, while the stamens are fully developed. These are called staminate. When the former are planted, every fourth or fifth line should be of the latter class, when the whole will be productive. But they must be of the same species; a haubois must be fertilized with one of the same. There are some varieties which have both sexes well developed. These are called hermaphrodite; but they are not generally as great bearers as the pistilate sorts.

The movement of large trees is accomplished with great labor. Mr. Stewart McGlashen, of Great Britain, invented, a few years since, a wonderful machine for digging and removing those of almost any size. An account was published of the first experiment in the journals of the day. We do not know whether it has been brought much into use, but give a description of it that it may perhaps lead

DIGGING TREES BY MACHINERY.

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to something else, which shall be of general utility. This machine was applied to a tree fifty feet in height, and of more than five feet in circumference at the trunk.

"The first process of Mr. McGlashen, is to lay down a frame of T-iron in this case, ten feet square. He then takes cutters, made of malleable iron, one foot broad, and three feet deep, or, including the head and neck, four and one-half feet. These cutters are driven, by a wooden mallet, into the soil to the depth of three feet all around, and being inserted sloping inwards, they give to the enclosed mass the form of a square blunted wedge. A rod of iron is then laid along the top of the four rows of cutters, and extensive rods going across the frame force the heads of the cutters apart as far as possible, and, consequently, cause the point to converge at the bottom. A clasp or gland is then put around the trunk of the tree, with a mat under it to preserve the bark. Two parallel beams are then laid across the frame, and fastened to it with chains. The above constitutes the frame to be raised. The means of elevating it is a carriage (which also serves the purpose of transportation), consisting of two strong common carts, one at each end, with bolsters raised above the axletree of both, and on which bolsters rest two massive parallel beams secured to them with strong bolts. The height of the beams from the ground is about six feet. They, of course,

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DIGGING TREES BY MACHINERY.

enclose the tree. The process of lifting is exceedingly simple, the whole being accomplished by the power of the screw. The screws are four in number, and so arranged as to make them lift equally. They are made fast to the beams of the frame, and are worked by men standing on planks across the beams of the carriage. The frame and enclosed mass are slowly raised, and the tree, with gentle oscillation, moves erectly upwards. The tree may, it is evident, be raised without the use of any ropes, the solid mass of earth effectually balancing the trunk and branches, but they were used on this occasion as an extra precaution. After about twenty minutes' working of the screws, the tree was completely raised from the pit, the operation having been effected in an easy and gradual manner, and amidst tributes of admiration from all around. It was not the intention to remove the tree experimented upon; but the means of removal being exhibited and explained, all seemed satisfied with the feasibility of the apparatus provided for the purpose. A strong case was shown for the enclos ure of the ball of earth when the tree is to be removed to any distance. In moving, the tree still maintains its erect position. The propelling power, when horses cannot be used, is by a winch in front of the foremost cart, and block and tackle; but when the way is clear and the road good, horses will do the work safely, and more expeditiously.

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The tree is lowered into the pit prepared for it, on the same principle.

"It is calculated that, in this instance, the weight lifted was thirteen or fourteen tons; but the inventor and patentee states that, by an enlargement of the apparatus, he could lift almost any tree."

26

CHAPTER IX.

PRUNING AND TRAINING.

THE AMPUTATION OF THE LIMBS OF A TREE BASED UPON SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES FACTS NECESSARY TO BE KEPT IN MIND IMPORTANCE OF A SHARP KNIFE -THE METHOD OF MAKING THE CUT SEVERE PRUNING PRODUCTIVE OF VIGOR AND STERILITY-THE REMOVAL OF A PART OF THE WOOD OF A WEAK PLANT STRENGTHENS THE REMAINDER- IMPORTANCE OF SUNSHINE TO ALL PARTS OF THE TREECIRCULATION OF AIR-DISTINGUISHING THE PECULIARITIES OF THE VARIETY -THE PREVENTION AND CURE OF DISEASE - THE SEASON: SPRING AND SUMMER -PRUNING AFTER TRANSPLANTING-TRAINING THE PEACH AND NECTARINE: SEYMOUR'S SYSTEM-OBLIQUE ROD — OBLIQUE DOUBLE ROD — DOUBLE OBLIQUE ROD STANDARD - HORIZONTAL TRELLIS-TRAINING -THE APRICOT -THE PEAR-STANDARD, QUENOUILLE, WINEGLASS, ETC.

TEM OF THE IONIAN ISLANDS

THE CHERRY — THE VINE - THE SYS-
SIMPLE CANE-SIMPLE THOMERY,

PLAN PRACTISED IN OHIO — THE CURRANT - THE GOOSEBERRY — THE
RASPBERRY - THE BLACKBERRY - THE STRAWBERRY -ROOT-PRUNING.

THE amputation of the limbs of a tree is based

upon scientific principles; and when it is done indiscriminately, or at variance with these, disease or death may be the consequence. The wild tree is naturally of strong growth, at the expense of fruitfulness. The designs of pruning are to check undue luxuriance, and induce the immediate production of fruit; to reduce the size of the tree to such an extent that it is manageable with ease; to

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