THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 

 OK" EARTHING GEO WING CROPS. 



BY A EENTJSn GAUDENEE. 



HE practice of applying additional supplies of fresh earth 

 to the roots of growing crops is of considerable utility 

 when properly carried out ; and for the information of 

 those who have not had much experience in the matter, 

 I propose to make a few seasonable remarks upon the 

 subject. The value of earthing all growing crops is only to be 

 measured by the subjects under cultivation, and the purposes for 

 which they are required — as, for instance, the value of repeated 

 applications of some fine dry earth, gently shook over small seedling 

 plants at this time of year, such as the seed-beds of all the Brassica 

 tribe, can never be estimated at its correct value except by those 

 who have worked it out in previous years, as very few will credit the 

 stout, sturdy plants it creates, to say nothing of the increasing 

 number of young rootlets that are formed by encouraging young 

 roots to spring forth higher up the stem. This is more especially 

 valuable in stitf clayey soils, where the young plants have nothing 

 beneath them to induce a downward tendency of the roots. These 

 remarks apply with equal force to the same plants when removed 

 to other quarters. Spring-planted cauliflowers, for instance, are 

 greatly benefited by the addition of some fresh soil drawn up to 

 their roots two or three times during their active season of growth. 

 The same may be said of the autumn and spring planted cabbage?, 

 and, indeed, any of that class that is supported by a stem only a 

 few inches high ; for, besides encouraging a greater root action, the 

 additional Bupply of earth serves to steady them against the wind, 

 and prevents that rocking, if I may so express m.yself, that all such 

 plants are subject to if there is not sufficient weight against the 

 stem to keep it firm in its proper place. Peas, again, are greatly 

 benefited by constant earthing, as it serves during dry weather to 

 prevent that excessive amount of evaporation that would otherwise 

 take place. All kinds of beans will keep in bearing longer if they 

 receive two or three fresh earthings during the season of growth ; 

 but the most successful of all the crops I have yet dealt with was 

 the vegetable marrow. This delights in fresh soil, and, in fact, with 

 me, does much the best when about every three feet of the stem is 

 layered, as it were, and a basket or two of earth placed upon the 

 joint. Cucumbers, too, are strengthened in this way, especially 

 when they have been in bearing some time; and it is w^ell known 

 that when melons are grown in ordinary frame-beds the young fruit 

 swells much faster when the fruiting shoot is covered with earth 

 than when exposed to the heat of the direct action of the sun. 



Again, stocks and asters are especially improved if the [stems are 

 earthed up once a fortnight while they are making their growth ; so, 

 also, are all the border annuals, if previously thinned out, and about 

 two sprinklings of fine earth shook round their roots ; it will do them 

 more good than four times watering would do. In early spring, old 



May. 



