570 THE GARDENER. [Di:c. 



keep well, and are in tine condition and really yood late the following 

 season, when most other sorts are over, or nearly so, and new Potatoes 

 have not yet come in for general use. The mistake of too close 

 planting is very common. Every kind ought at least to be allowed 

 the height of the haulm between the rows The same space is usually 

 given to every crop, princijially, it seems, because anything less than 

 IS inches is barely sufficient for any kind ; but with tall-growing sorts 

 the necessities of the case are not always realised. 2i or 3 feet 

 between the rows is little enough for any late variety almost, and 

 for some of the latest growers even more room should be given. 

 The advantages of plenty of space are more apparent in forcing 

 the Potato than in growing it outdoors. When crowded in a 

 frame, no crop at all is the result ; but given room, all forcing sorts 

 are very productive. In order to afford the stems as much light as 

 possible, and keep them from falling over and getting crowded, I have 

 at times gone to the trouble of supporting them with stakes, and 

 with great advantage to the crop. Of course the sets had been dis- 

 budded before planting, so that there were not a great number of stems 

 to support, and all were good and strong. J. S. 



A GOOD TURNIP. 

 Any reader of the ' Gardener ' who has not grown " Harrison's Early 

 Marble Turnip " should make a note of it, and include it in his seed 

 list when ordering seeds for next year. 



I had it on trial this season, and in my opinion it is the best Turnip 

 for garden culture that I have seen. The flesh is very solid and white ; 

 and whether cooked or uncooked, it is the sweetest in flavour that I 

 ever tasted. J. Hammond. 



THE IMPORTANCE OF ROOT -INSPECTION. 



Our fickle climate, great rainfall, and late severity of winters, all tend 

 to make our subject one of pressing importance. More especially do 

 we need to look to the roots of fruit-trees cultivated under glass, from 

 which average crops are annually expected, let climatic difficulties be 

 what they may. We desire, then, to make a few observations upon 

 the root-action of the Vine, Peach, Nectarine, and Fig, and its general 

 bearing upon their growth and fruitfulness. 



In Vine-culture, the first step to success lies in the right manage- 

 ment of root and fibre, and this can only be done by constant watch- 

 fulness. In order to the exercising of care and vigilance, the three 

 years' extension system of Vine-border-making cannot be too strongly 

 recommended. Under the old system of making the full extent of 



