204: THE GARDKiNER. [ALav 



nor healthy. To make sure of getting proper plants, it may be as well to select 

 the trees personally, and to get them from nurserymen who have a reputation 

 to lose; for it is no uncommon thing for worthless kinds to be Bold under fine 

 names. 



Having got the ground ready, and the trees to hand, mark the precise places 

 where they are to be planted, and dig the holes as large as will allow of the 

 roots being spread out on all sides. On dry soils the holes may be 8 inches 

 deep, and on wet ones 4. IMake the bottom perfectly flat and firm. On this 

 firm bottom spread an inch of pulverised soil, from off the surface, and put 

 the tree on it. Any strong or broken roots should be shortened back with a 

 sharp knife, for all cuts must be short and clean : every fibry root must be 

 saved. Only dry pulverised soil should be placed next the roots, and care- 

 fully worked in among them ; and if the soil is of a vrry heavy description, it 

 will be well to have a heap of such soil prepared beforehand. On dry soils the 

 ground should be left level ; on clayey land it should be raised — heaped up 

 round the tree — 2 or 3 inches ; and in all cases it should be made thor- 

 oughly firm, so that heavy rain may not have a chance to water-log, and so 

 sour it, and that the roots may have something firm to lay hold on. A stout 

 stake should be driven in beside each, and the tree securely fastened to it, to 

 prevent it rocking when winds are high, otherwise all young roots will perish 

 as fast as they form. Between the trees and the stakes some soft material 

 should be placed to prevent the stakes chafing the bark. Old cloth, matting, 

 or even straw-rope will do. Lastly, put a circle of partially decayed manure, 

 3 inches thick, over their roots, and beat it firmly and neatly down with 

 the back of a fork. This covering will protect the tender roots from frost in 

 winter and drought in summer, and every rain-drop that falls on it will take 

 food down to the roots as they stretch through the soil in search of nourishment. 



A. H., H. 

 {To he continued.) 



HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF WALL - BORDERS IN 

 KITCHEN-GARDENS. 



NO. V. 



North borders. — The aim of all good gardeners is to extend the dura- 

 tion of crops, whether of fruit or vegetables, over as great a period 

 as possible, various schemes being resorted to as circumstances may 

 suggest. A quarter for one thing and a quarter for another is all 

 very well in its way ; but it is not the most scientifically managed 

 gardens that yield the most satisfactory results. Much scheming 

 is absolutely necessary, especially in small gardens. According to 

 my experience, there are but few gardens where the crops of many 

 kinds would not be found most profitable if distributed in patches ; 

 and I for one prefer to sacrifice order and strict rotation in order 

 to maintain an unbroken supply without risking an undesirable glut. 

 North borders prove especially useful, but unfortunately they are 

 oftentimes small in proportion to the size of the gardens, as, by their 

 proper management, much labour to attain the same ends is saved. 



