104 THE GARDENER. [March 



will reach 4 feet in height when the flower-spike is fully opened, 

 there is no necessity to employ a stake to the out-top of the spike : if 

 the stake is 2 feet out of the ground, it is quite long enough ; and this 

 applies to most flowers requiring stakes. 



Do not be in too great a hurry to get the plants into their places. 

 If the weather is drying, wait till it gets showery : much faster pro- 

 gress will be made. R. R Brotheeston. 



HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF WALL - BORDERS IN 

 KIT CHEN-GARDENS. 



NO. III. 



Although calendars of garden operations are included in most horti- 

 cultural periodicals, and some of them, doubtless, are instructive, it 

 is questionable if they do not at times mislead many that are inex- 

 perienced. This is especially the case with that part relating to the 

 kitchen-garden, written for annual, and even monthly, works ; seeing 

 it is compiled, as a matter of course, without any knowledge of the 

 weather to be experienced. When following instructions thus given, 

 the learner should use some judgment in the matter, and not, as I 

 have before remarked, sow or plant at a certain date, under the impres- 

 sion it is absolutely necessary, or failure will be inevitable, simply 

 because advised so to do by the " oracle " consulted. This season, espe- 

 cially, much discernment must be used, owing to the cold and wet 

 state of the soil, which at the present time (Feb. 7th) is again being 

 saturated with snow-water. In our case, even if dry weather be shortly 

 experienced, it would be altogether a mistake to commence sowing or 

 planting till March ; and for our patience we anticipate much better, 

 and quite as early crops, as any that might have been puddled in at 

 any time previous. 



Crops in the open are almost certain to be late, and for this reason 

 pits and frames, with or without heat, glazed or unglazed, should be 

 extensively used and utilised for forwarding many vegetables and also 

 plants for the borders, by these means securing a supply of good vege- 

 tables, and also giving the outside crops more time to mature. Broccoli 

 has been completely destroyed in many gardens by the late severe 

 frosts, and I am afraid many Potatoes have been injured ; therefore 

 Cauliflowers and early Potatoes will have to be forwarded as much 

 as possible. Autumn-sown Peas have also succumbed, which goes far 

 to prove my argument that autumn sowing is a waste of seed and 

 labour, and ought to be discarded for the better plan of sowing in 

 boxes and transplanting, as advised in the January number of this 

 periodical. 



Potatoes. — These are often planted before the ground is fit for their 

 reception. More depends upon the proper preparation of the seed- 



