1869.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 31 



dition, they require little attention in the way of either summer or 

 autumn pruning. The action of sun and air on the raised soil about 

 the roots, and the free exposure of the branches, by avoiding crowding, 

 are some of the agents which secure fine fruit. Doing everything 

 necessary at the proper time will save much labour and disappoint- 

 ment. 



What " hints " we offer to those who have had little experience in 

 the ordinary management of small gardens will be based on experience 

 which has been attended by success, what we can glean from successful 

 growers, and by corresponding with successful professional men. 



We may expect changeable weather in January ; and when stormy 

 and unsuitable for outdoor operations, let attention be directed towards 

 securing plenty of necessaries for the coming season — such as stakes, 

 pegs, shreds, &c. &c. — all cleaning over plants, preparing of soils, 

 examining for wireworm the turfs which are to be used for potting 

 Pinks, Carnations, e^^c. There is abundance of work for wet weather in 

 most gardens, however small, and if attended to at this season, the 

 advantage gained will be immense. There is nothing gained by 

 keeping men employed at ground-work in wet weather, though 

 much mischief may be done. All old soil which may have been 

 in use for potting, &c., may be looked over, clearing out any 

 stones, roots, sticks, &c. ; this we find very useful when sowing 

 small seeds early in the season. The drills can be filled in with 

 this when the soil of the garden may not be in favourable condition. 

 At the same time, we strongly object to sowing small seeds on a damp 

 sour surface. When soils are very heavy, it is almost indispens- 

 able to use dry fine soil for covering seeds. We have seen charcoal- 

 dust used with great success. Though heavy strong soils are un- 

 wieldy, and require more manual labour, yet in skilful hands the 

 finest crops are grown on such soils. They require treatment of 

 their own. 



Where Peas, Beans, Parsnips, Onions, &c., are to be sown about the end 

 of February or early in IMarch, the ridges may be broken down in frosty 

 weather, and freely turned back and forward with the digging-fork 

 till the whole is well pulverised. Early Peas may, if required, be 

 sown about the middle of the month in boxes, small pots, turfs, &c. 

 It is an object, when planting them out, to have the roots as entire as 

 possible, and they are generally turned out undisturbed. In pots the 

 roots should not be allowed to be bound, which would only give a weakly 

 stunted crop. We prefer boxes with some roughish leaf-mould, or the 

 fibry part of turf well parted and placed in bottom, then a little finer 

 soil. The Peas are then sown thickly, and covered with any soil which 

 will allow the tops to grow through easily. Peas or Beans sown 



