JUxNE. 185 



REVIEW. 



The Handbook of Villa Gardening. By William Paul. Crown 8vo. 



Piper, Stephenson, and Spence. 

 This interesting little work consists of a series of letters, originally 

 written, the author tells us, to a friend residing in the vicinity of a 

 manufacturing town, by whom they have been found so extremely 

 useful, that it has been thought well to publish them in a revised form. 

 They are full of sound, practical instruction on all the more important 

 points relating to the Ibrmation, improvement, stocking, and keeping of 

 a town garden, and that too, conveyed in a pleasant and agreeable \vay. 



Window gardening, we are glad to find, has not been forgotten, and 

 the concluding letters contain select lists of ornamental trees and flowers, 

 together with the names of such fruits as it might be desirable to 

 introduce into the villa garden. 



The following extract \\\\\ give some idea of the kinds of information 

 the book contains. After speaking of plants under glass, the author 

 says : — 



" Amusement is provided out of doors. Bedding plants should be 

 watered, hoed frequently, and pegged down, or tied up, as required, to 

 protect them from wind, and promote growth. Plants in raised baskets 

 and vases will require an extra supply of water ; and if the surface of 

 the soil can be covered with moss, it is no waste of labour, as less water 

 is required, on account of a diminished evaporation. Hoeino- and 

 watering are such beneficial operations at this season, that they may be 

 well made to fill up all spare time. In gardens situate near to large 

 towns a syringe, or garden engine, is almost indispensable ; and a free 

 use of it should be made, both in and out of doors, to cleanse the leaves 

 of the plants of the impurities which settle on them. No plant will 

 thrive long if the pores of the leaves remain choked up with soot or dust, 

 for under such circumstances the functions of breathing, dio-estino-, and 

 perspiring are deranged — these transpiring mainly through the ao-ency 

 of the leaf Weeding and rolling the walks, and mowing the lawn, is 

 suitable work for damp weather ; and weeding, breaking the surface of 

 the ground, sweeping, &c., demand your attention when the weather is 

 fine. The Rose requires some attention in early summer. The aphis, 

 caterpillar, and maggot, should be keenly sought for, and, where found, 

 destroyed. June and July form the glorious season of the Rose. The 

 shoots of the autumnals should be cut back inmiediately after the first 

 Howering, and the plants may be manured at the same time. Roses 

 may also be budded at this period. Biennials are best sown in summer 

 (July) — Hollyhocks, Sweet- Williams, Wallflowers, and the like, in the 

 open border, and Primula sinensis in pots in the greenhouse. The 

 latter, with INIignonette and a few others, sown at this season, prove 

 invaluable for ornamenting the conservatory in winter. As the season 

 advances, Hollyhocks and Dahlias must be thinned out, staked, and 

 w^atered abundantly. When growing for exhibition the flowers should 

 be shaded just as they expand, which will both improve and preserve 

 them. Continue nipping over-vigorous shoots of the Fir tribe and their 



