should be planted early in the spring in rich, very sandy soil, and
given the protection of a cold frame in the winter. By successional
plantings they may be had in bloom from January to May. Put six to
twelve bulbs in a 4-in. or 8-in pot, place in a sunny position in
a cold frame, and cover with damp cinder ashes to keep them fairly
moist. When growth has begun and the pots are full of roots, remove
the covering of ashes, but keep the pots in the frame, giving a little
ventilation when the weather is mild, and watering carefully when the
soil appears dry. Protect from frost by a covering of mats. For early
flowering remove the plants to a warm greenhouse when the flower
spikes appear, keeping them as near the glass as possible. When the
buds are developed an occasional application of weak liquid manure
will prove beneficial.
Fremontia Californica.--A beautiful and somewhat singular wall shrub,
with large yellow flowers. Any soil is suitable for it, but a south or
west aspect is indispensable.
Fringe Tree.--See "Chionanthus."
Fritillarias (Crown Imperials, or Snake's Head Lilies).--Soil, sandy
loam, or well-drained, deep, rich mould. Plant in the open ground in
autumn; take the bulbs up as soon as the leaves decay, and preserve
them in a rather moist place. Increased by off-sets taken from the old
roots every third year. They are not so suitable for pot culture
as for outdoor decoration. They are quite hardy, and flower in the
spring, bearing clusters of pendent bell-shaped flowers surrounded
with tufts of fresh green leaves.
F. Meleagris are of dwarf, slender growth, and bear in early spring
elegant pendent flowers of various shades netted and marked with
darker colours. These are suitable for either the border or pots.
Plant in autumn.
Fruit Trees, the Pruning of.--Cut away all growths that have an inward
tendency, and do not allow any shoot to cross over or come in contact
with another; also keep the centres of the trees or bushes open. The
fruit of trees thus treated is not so liable to be blown down by the
wind, and the sun can more readily ripen it. If the ground is poor a
dressing of rotted manure worked into the soil will be beneficial to
the roots.
Fuchsias.--These like a warm and moist atmosphere. The hardy sorts do
well out of doors in rich, light soil. On the approach of frost cut
them down and cover the roots with 3 or 4 in. of coal dust, ashes, or
moss. Remove the ashes in April and thin out the shoots in May. They
will also grow well from cuttings taken off the old wood as soon as
they are 1 in. long, inserted in sand and placed under glass, or
plunged in dung at a temperature of 60 degrees. Cuttings will also
strike in loam and leaf-mould. If grown in pots, take them indoors
before the frosty weather begins, and give them very little or no
water at all during the winter. Keep them in a cool place, yet free
from frost. Re-pot them in the spring, trimming the branches and