MAY. 141 



To obtain a sufficient depth of soil for the roots of vegetables to pene- 

 trate is one means, and a great one, of increasing their produce. 

 Plants growing in soils made open for a considerable depth are much 

 less liable to suffer in dry weather, as their roots are in a position to 

 obtain moisture at a lower depth, and hence the suitability of deep soils 

 for summer crops ; the same soils are likewise warmer in winter. A 

 soil from which the water passes through freely can never be very 

 damp, and relatively never very cold ; nor are they so dry in summer, 

 for this reason, the action of the sun's rays on the surface soil causes the 

 moisture therein to be given off by evaporation, and this produces an 

 upicard action of the moisture contained in the soil below, to supply 

 that wdiich has escaped by exhalation and the surface. We shaU find, 

 then, that in proportion to the' power of the evaporating process on 

 the surface there will be a corresponding rise of watery particles 

 throughout the entire mass of soil below. This will positively keep the 

 soil moister, because it is more open and porous, than a shallow soil, with 

 a compact subsoil, which would obstruct the progress of moisture from 

 below, at the same time as it prevented its escape downwards. By all 

 means then for vegetables, have a mass of soil, if practicable, from two 

 to three feet deep, sufficiently open to admit air and water to pass freely 

 each way when needed. X. Y. Z. 



NOTES ON THE MONTH. 



Since writing my last remarks the weather throughout the month 

 ('March) was cold and hazy, with keen easterly winds, varied only now 

 and then by a bit of sunshine. On the night of the 27th there was 12° 

 of frost, and about 15° on the 29th and 80th. Severe for the season, 

 the air up to the Ist of April was remarkable for its dryness, even for 

 March. On the 1st of April we had a change and milder weather ; 

 from this time up to the 14th there was rain almost daily, which 

 swelled the brooks and filled the springs to overflowing. On the l4tli 

 the wdnd shifted back to its old quarters, the East — piercing, and at 

 times blowing a gale, with frosts on the 19th, 20th, and 21st; to-day 

 (23rd), there is a change indicating rain. If we are to credit 

 " Howard," the ensuing summer will be a dry one, the winds during 

 the vernal equinox being E. and N. E. The temperature for the last 

 two weeks has been rather above the average, but yet the season is by 

 no means a forward one, owing to the low temperature of March and 

 part of April. 



The weather, on the whole, has been more favourable for the farmer 

 than the gardener. Young Cauliflower, Lettuce, and other early 

 vegetables which we noticed as suffering last month, have not pro- 

 gressed with the season, owing to the absence of mild, genial weather. 

 Potatoes and root crops generally have been got in well, and the present 

 weather is favourable for clearing foul land, completing alterations, 

 preparing borders, &c. 



The main task before the gardener just now is the flower-garden 

 work ; and during the next month, everywhere, " bedding-out" will be 



