THE FLOEAL WOKLD AND aARDEN GUIDE. 13 



bean-stalks, laid on the ground, and with small pots with a little 

 moss in them inverted over the tops of the flower-sticks, are the 

 best means. 



The compost I use is one-half rich loam and one-half well-rotted 

 dung, with a little leaf-mould, and a liberal sprinkling of sand added. 

 The pots are drained with oyster-shells, and pounded oyster-shells 

 may be advantageously mixed with the compost. 



The manure- water used is made up in the following way : I have 

 a large tank, into which I put a sackful of soot, and a barrow-load 

 of cow or sheep's dung, or a half of each, it being filled with rain- 

 water ; the w hole is stirred frequently for a few days, and then left 

 to settle before bein^: used. 



THE VILLA KITCHEN-GAEDEN.— No. YIL 



BY J. C. CLA.EKE, 

 Head Gardener at Cothelston House, near Taunton. 



^HE CAULIELOWEE is a most useful subject, and 

 one generally appreciated upon every table. The secret 

 of success in cultivation is to grow them in ,rich, 

 well-prepared ground, so that they may complete their 

 growth, without any check, to a speedy maturity. To 

 secure this important object, a fertile spot in which to grow them is 

 the first consideration, while the minor points of attention consist 

 in keeping them liberally supplied with manure-water during dry 

 weather, and frequent stirrings of the surfacS to keep down weeds, 

 and to check evaporation. 



The principal sowing should take place about the 25th of August 

 for plants to stand through the winter. The position of the seed- 

 bed should be in an open spot, if possible, on a south, or south-west 

 border. The bed to be well prepared and watered if the soil be dry ; 

 the seed sown thinly, and covered with half an inch of fine soil. A 

 look-out for birds must be kept au soon as the seedlings show them- 

 selves ; also for slugs, and other vermin. Encourage them to grow 

 freely by the aid of repeated doses of water, if there is any length- 

 ened absence of rain ; as soon as they show the rough leaf, sprinkle 

 over the bed some fine dry soil. When the plants are dry, 

 this will give them a kind of earthing, and induce them to grow 

 vigorously. 



About the first week in October draw out the largest plants, and 

 prick them out oii another piece of ground four inches apart each 

 way ; this will enable those left in the bed to get stronger, and those 

 removed from it will, by the time they are wanted for the final 

 planting, be stout, sturdy plants. 



The most secure plan of wintering these plants is to let them 

 have the protection of a cold frame or brick pit. Many pot them 

 singly in small pots, and place them in these structures ; others plant 



