360 ' THE GARDENER. [Aug. 



shaded by trees, <fec. Turnips may be sown for spring use. Strap- 

 leaved and Early Stone often can be had in February and March from 

 autumn sowings ; when drawn from the ground they are more juicy 

 than when kept in pits, &c. Let all salads, Cauliflower, &c., which 

 are to be kept under protection through the winter, be pricked out 

 before they are weakened by drawing up in the seed-beds. Celery 

 for early use should now be kept well earthed up, first giving a good 

 soaking of water, if necessary ; then dust with lime, if slugs are at all 

 troublesome. Keep the earth out of the hearts of the plants to pre- 

 vent rotting. "We have seen fine useful Celery planted in the south 

 as late as August. All the later crops should have plenty of moisture 

 at the roots if crisp Celery is wanted. If Onions are growing strongly 

 still, they may be twisted at their necks, which will hasten ripening. 

 Seeds to be saved will now require attention ; if cut in small bunches 

 and placed in the sun they will do well. Dryness is of great impor- 

 tance to all seeds when ripening. Tomatoes will now require close 

 topping, and where the fruit are too numerous they may be thinned 

 off ; and except means can be afforded to ripen the fruit, none need be 

 allowed to set after August. On the walls protection can be given to 

 keep them in bearing. On the back walls of our sunk pits they are 

 doing admirably, and the wooden covers can be pushed on when frost 

 makes its appearance. Dung for Mushroom-beds may be collected 

 and allowed to dry moderately ; then throw it in a heap to heat, but 

 not to burn. The beds can be made in sheds or anywhere, but where 

 there is proper protection much labour is saved — 1 foot deep of horse- 

 droppings, thoroughly beaten firm, and allowed to heat before the pieces 

 of spawn are put in (care being exercised to prevent overheating, by 

 making a number of holes in the bed to let the heat escape). The 

 bed is thus made, and ought to produce Mushrooms with little further 

 trouble at this season. The covering of earth should be good, healthy 

 loam, soft and rich, and placed 2 inches over the surface a week or 

 so after the bed is spawned. The size of bed will be regulated accord- 

 ing to the demand. There are many opinions about spawning, but 

 I have often abundance of fine Mushrooms by placing the spawn an 

 inch or two deep in the dung, and 10 or 12 inches apart. The 

 pieces are broken up about the size of pigeons' eggs, and any of 

 the cakes which have no spawn in them are discarded. The bed 

 should remain untouched for five or six weeks after spawning, then 

 tepid water may be given sufficiently to moisten through the covering 

 of earth. Heavy drenchings of cold water destroy the spawn, but a 

 moist atmosphere is beneficial. Small beds made frequently keep the 

 most regular supply; besides, it is not always convenient to secure 

 large quantities of manure for the purpose. 



