1869.] FRUIT-CULTURE. 75 



cannot safely be dispensed with, whether in the flower-pot or the Vine- 

 border. Gardeners are familiar with the term " sour " when applied 

 to soil, and which means nothing more than that it has got its particles 

 so compactly forced together, when wet, that there are no interstices 

 betwixt them into which the air can force itself and exert its " sweeten- 

 ing " influence ; hence the importance of aerating Yine-borders by arti- 

 ficial means, where the soil of which they are formed is at all approach- 

 ing an adhesive character. W. Thomson. 



{To he continued.) 



HINTS FOR AMATEURS.— FEBRUARY. 



This month, when weather is fine, cropping of ground may in the 

 smallest garden be fairly commenced. Arrangements, if not already 

 made, as to how the garden is to be cropped, should be decided upon, 

 so that a change may be made from what the ground produced last. 

 The quantity of any kind of vegetable required should be considered, 

 so that a superabundance of one thing may not be grown, and a defici- 

 ency of any other crop prevented. Crops which have to be sown early, 

 and to remain on the ground till late in the autumn or winter, should 

 be kept together as much as possible ; for instance, ground for Leeks, 

 Parsnips, Celery, Kale, &c., might form one plot or square. When 

 cropping is divided into numerous small plots, much confusion and 

 want of economy must prevail : the more attention given to systematic 

 arrangement, the less difficulty will be experienced. Sheltered positions 

 should at present remain unoccupied, but be well worked, and kept in 

 readiness for early sowings of Cauliflower, Cabbage, Carrot, Lettuce, 

 Radish, and suchlike. Where there is not the shelter of a wall, 

 hedge, or other fence, a sloping bank may be thrown up, and a surfac- 

 ing of fine dry soil placed so that small seeds may have fair play. Pro- 

 tection from north and east can be given by placing branches thickly 

 on the cold side ; hoops bent over where mats can be thrown across, is a 

 useful practice. Endless are the means used for protecting early sow- 

 ings and crops. When such as Kale, Cabbage, Broccoli, and Brussel 

 Sprouts are only partially used up, and the remaining portion cannot be 

 disposed of without cutting short the supply, they may be lifted carefully 

 with all their roots, and placed in any spare corner thickly together — but 

 not so much so as to cause rotting — there to remain till they are used; and 

 protection is also easily given if necessary. The remaining refuse can 

 be cleared off and the ground prepared for cropping, otherwise the best 

 opportunities might be lost while the few scattered heads were standing 



