206 THE GARDENER. [June 



border. In performing the operation of planting, circumstances must 

 determine the exact way in which it is best performed. On heavy 

 cold soils, upon which it is advisable to tread as little as possible after 

 it is trenched, I have frequently left the trenching till the time of 

 planting, and put the plants out as the trenching proceeded. Having 

 a heap of light rich soil in readiness beforehand, a couple of spadefuls of 

 it was put round the ball of each plant to give it a start. This may 

 perhaps be considered a preferable way of doing the work on such 

 soils, to that of first trenching the ground and then throwing out pits 

 for the light soil, inasmuch as all treading of the ground is avoided. 

 In free fine soils there is nothing necessary beyond setting the line 

 and planting the plant-balls entire in the natural ground. They 

 should always be planted at such a depth that the soil reaches up to 

 the first leaves of the plants. Two feet by two is plenty of room for 

 producing moderate-sized heads. If large ones for the hall be an 

 object, some of them may be planted wider ; but for all practical pur- 

 poses, 2 feet by 2 is enough. 



In heavy soils, slugs are a great pest if the spring proves wet, and 

 a few plants should be kept in reserve to make up blanks. Cinder- 

 ashes, sand, and various other things which slugs do not relish, may 

 be spread over the soil round each plant to help to check their work ; 

 but to catch them and kill them is probably the best way of saving the 

 plants. 



Where the ground is exposed to the north and east, it is a good 

 plan to stick in a stiff sprig or two of Evergreen on those sides of 

 each plant, to protect them from cutting winds, which often prevail 

 at that season. As they progress in growth they must be attended 

 to by drawing a little soil to them, to keep them from becoming loose 

 at the neck. And if dry, a good watering should be given before they 

 are moulded up. 



To make sure of succession, I have frequently planted some of these 

 potted plants on a north border, and found them come in very handy, 

 especially when the season proved hot and dry. 



About the middle of February, a sowing should be made in heat to 

 succeed the autumn-sown plants. The temperature should be from 

 55° to 60° till they come up, then they should be removed to a dry 

 cold pit or frame and placed near to the glass, and when about 2 

 inches in height pricked off into rich soil in a cold frame. Here they 

 are completely protected from any frost that may occur, but otherwise 

 hardily reared. These make fine strong plants by May, ready to be 

 planted out. They should be lifted with good balls, and carefully 

 planted and attended to with water should the weather be dry, till 

 they get a good hold of the soil. For summer plantations a good 



