i88i.] WALL- BORDERS. 205 



Cauliflowers. — Taking these for instance : if in the spring we have 

 a good batch of autumn-sown plants, some of the strongest are 

 planted in warm sheltered spots as previously advised, others on 

 warm borders more in the open, and the remainder are planted on 

 a north border. About one sowing of a main-crop variety on a warm 

 border, early in April in our case, or on a gentle hotbed in colder 

 districts, and the plants grown on a tolerably rich, open quarter, 

 would then be sufficient to maintain the supply till the earliest 

 Eclipse, or even Veitch's Autumn Giant (autumn-sown), are fit for 

 use. This season autumn-sown plants are scarce, and therefore more 

 plants w^ere raised under glass for both the open ground and the 

 north border. One of the best summer varieties is Sutton's King 

 of the Cauliflowers, and it is equally good for the autumn, especially 

 if grown on a north border. 



Ihirnips. — These are still more important, in the cook's estimation 

 at all events, and are often grown with difficulty during the hot 

 summer months. For these reasons it is advisable to grow a crop 

 on a north border. As before stated, we make our earliest sowings 

 on an east border, commencing on the north border about the second 

 week in June, giving the preference to a good strain of Snowball. 

 Turnips often fail owing to insufficient pains being taken with the 

 ground, and later on with the young plants. A tolerably rich firmly 

 trod soil should be given them, and they should be encouraged to 

 grow quickly, and never be crowded. If the ground be dry at sowing- 

 time, after drawing the drills, water them well over-night or a few 

 hours previous to sowing. This will be found more effective than 

 watering after the seed is sown, and the ground levelled, as the 

 enclosed moisture does not so quickly evaporate. Of course these 

 remarks are equally applicable to the sowing of other kinds of seeds. 

 At this time of year it is always advisable to sow small patches 

 of Turnips at fortnightly intervals in preference to one large one. 

 Sow seed thinly, dust over the seedlings with soot and lime on the 

 first appearance of fleas, and thin out early. 



Summer Spinach for packing purposes. — Sown in the open during 

 the hot summer months. Spinach is certain to run to seed before it is 

 of a serviceable size. In consequence of this, although there is no 

 great demand for it, I still consider it advisable to grow a little on 

 a north border, — not so much, however, for cooking, as the New 

 Zealand Spinach is a capital substitute, but more especially for pack- 

 ing purposes. Vegetables have long been packed and sent to a great 

 distance in Spinach, out of which they are taken comparatively fresh, 

 and so also will cut- flowers if packed in it, and I strongly advise 

 others to give the plan a trial. The cool succulent leaves, unlike other 

 packing material, do not absorb moisture ; on the contrary, they afford 

 a certain amount, or at all events materially assist in its retention. 

 Roses, each wrapped in a Spinach leaf, and closely packed in layers and 



