168 THE GARDENER. [April 



portion of the stem will thus be buried, which will push out roots, and 

 thus the plant be made dwarf er in habit. If desirable, they may have 

 another shift later on, into 10-inoh pots, but this only where larger 

 plants are wanted. The plants will now be pushing out the lateral 

 growths, which should be trained out, either by tying them down to 

 a wire passing round below the rim of the pot, which is the neatest 

 way, or else by hooked sticks pushed into the soil, with the hook 

 passed over the shoot. Their tendency is upwards, so that even though 

 the branches be bent down to a horizontal position, the points will 

 again take the upward direction. The Balsam is a very gross-feeding 

 plant, and therefore requires a good deal of water ; and after the pots 

 are filled with roots, they may receive a dose of liquid manure, about 

 twice a-week, with great advantage to the plants. About the middle 

 of May the plants may be transferred to a cool house or pit, always 

 keeping them as near the glass as convenient, but away from draughts. 

 They will begin to flower in July, and continue for a good long time. 

 They are somewhat subject to the attacks of red-spider, but this seldom 

 appears on plants in a healthy condition, and is rather an indication of 

 something being wrong. It may be kept under, however, by the use of 

 the syringe. J. G., W. 



HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF WALL - BORDERS IN 

 KITCHEN-GARDENS. 



NO. IV. 



At the commencement of my last paper, I incidentally remarked that 

 in all probability we should not have sown a seed in the open before 

 the beginning of March. That time is passed, no seeds are sown, 

 and probably will not be for some time to come, severe frosts, snow, 

 and rain being in the ascendant. As a consequence, still more Peas, 

 Lettuces, Sprouts, and Cauliflowers are being grown in boxes and 

 frames, to be transplanted as weather permits. 



Kidney Beans. — Few early vegetables are more appreciated than 

 these, and few are of easier culture. Those who have every facility for 

 growing them in pots in forcing -houses, and later on in pits and 

 frames, are not called upon to make extra exertions to forward them on 

 warm borders. At the same time, the sooner the houses and frames 

 are relieved the better, and on this account it is advisable to grow a 

 few Beans as early as possible in a sheltered position. Unfortunately 

 they are very tender, a slight frost completely crippling them. Beans, 

 in common with other seeds, were badly harvested last season, 

 and probably if sown early, taking into consideration the cold 

 wet state of the soil, they will germinate badly. To secure a few 

 pickings, of a certainty, in succession to those obtained with the 

 assistance of a glazed frame, or a rough frame and mats, it will be 



