2i THE GARDENER. [Jan. 



ture of 55°, where they will flower in great profusion, and maintain 

 the character of summer-grown plants, which a high temperature or a 

 sudden change would totally destroy. 



Our early batch is now a-glow : some are being cut, and others are 

 utilised for various decorative purposes. W. Hinds. 



THE AMATEURS GARDEN. 

 Believing that a few of the simplest directions in regard to the 

 cultivation of small gardens will prove of use to a large and increas- 

 ing number of your readers, knowing that very maDy of them 

 inhabiting suburban or country villas with small gardens attached 

 to them (but who do not employ professional gardeners) are often 

 at a loss how to proceed, and in consequence do not get the 

 amount of pleasure out of them that they might, — I beg to offer 

 a course of papers for their assistance. I will not say anything 

 on the laying out of grounds, as the proper disposal of ground 

 into kitchen quarters, shrubbery, flower-beds, and the levelling of 

 ground, making of walks, &c, require to be done by persons accus- 

 tomed to such work if it is to be done properly ; and, moreover, 

 rules might prove of no use in a majority of instances. There- 

 fore I consider the space will be better occupied with cultural 

 directions, such as the preparation of the ground, the selection of 

 seeds, the season for sowing, the manner of sowing, and all the 

 routine of generally cultivated kitchen-garden crops for one twelve- 

 month. The intention is to aim at this in the simplest possible 

 manner consistent with complete directions how to cultivate every- 

 thing, so as to secure the greatest possible success. It may perhaps 

 not be practicable to time the papers so that each as it appears in 

 ' The Gardener ' will be that suitable for any given month. It is 

 also my intention to give as a sequel a few chapters on the most 

 popular flowers of the day suitable for small gardens, as well as direc- 

 tions for the successful management of the greenhouse, garden-frame, 

 &c. It will, then, be seen that the programme is pretty extensive, 

 and when completed it is hoped that it will be one to which amateurs 

 may refer in after years. At the same time, it is hoped that even 

 professionals may peruse these papers with profit, and more especially 

 young men who may be entering places for the first time ; as it often 

 happens that hints to those whose attention, in the probationary 

 stage of their career, has been too closely directed to plant and 

 fruit growing under glass, or to the more strictly ornamental depart- 

 ments, may prove of value, as not a few find kitchen-gardening the 

 weak point in their professional knowledge. 



