1879.] ECONOMICAL KITCHEN-GARDENING. 7 



left rather flat. In the new place the ground was not raised at all 

 (except slightly for the wall-trees) ; and though many of the trees 

 were planted so late as May (all the wall-trees at end of April), 

 and they have been all lifted or half lifted, the most of 

 them bore a useful crop last season. Some of the kinds were very 

 heavy after being thinned. Preparation for the trees has special 

 advantages when done suitable to soil and locality. In these two 

 places two opposite courses had to be pursued, the one lot of trees 

 being in danger of suffering from drought, and the others in danger 

 of being destroyed by wet — the rainfall being great, as well as the 

 position being low and flat. The same preparation holds good for all 

 kinds of bush-fruits, as well as for larger trees ; and whatever is 

 done let it be well done, as lost labour and disappointment too often 

 follow hasty preparations. In choosing kinds, have the best ; but 

 localities have their favourites, and experience has always prompted 

 me to get a good proportion of free-bearing hardy fruits, even 

 if their quality were not the best. As examples, we have planted 

 dozens of Stirling Castle, King of Pippins, Lord Sufheld, and Blen- 

 heim Orange Apples ; a large number of Louise Bonne of Jersey, 

 Beurre Diel, Marie Louise, and similar proportions of late-keeping 

 Pears ; lots of Victoria, Pershore Egg, Kirke's, and other hardy 

 Plums. These are expected to be loaded every year, while many of 

 the best kinds are uncertain. Rasps require a deep, heavily-manured 

 soil, in a cool position. Pruning still undone may be left till the 

 days are longer. M. T. 



ECONOMICAL KIT CHEN -GARDENING, 



Any one having the operation of an extensive market-garden daily 

 under his eye, where vegetables are grown for profit, and may be ex- 

 ported, and who may be familiar with the routine of kitchen-gardening 

 as performed in the gardens of the nobility and gentry, cannot fail to 

 be struck with the contrast between the systems of management pur- 

 sued in the two instances, not to mention the great advantage the 

 former mode enjoys over the other in quality, and especially in 

 quantity of produce. One is inclined to inquire, sometimes, whether 

 the much vaunted spade-husbanclry has so much to recommend it, 

 especially in the raising and maturing of green crops, such as garden- 

 vegetables which occupy the ground the shortest possible time — a 

 few months — swept away and replaced. It does seem certain that, if 

 a soil has been once thoroughly drained and subsoiled, very deep 

 cultivation is unnecessary afterwards, provided that the top 6 inches 



