JOUENAIi OF HOETICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ Jft mmrv 4, 1872. 



deep, and 3.41= at 2 feet. The mean temperature of the air was 

 51.45° in 1846, and 47.92" in 1845 ; the difJerenco l^^mg 3.53 



" On the average of the Bis years the earth i« ''olJ'^^/ '"^/j" 

 hrtiary, and warmest in July. The mean temperature " *•>« a^ 

 is also highest in .July, but it is lowest in January. Through- 

 out the nfonths the gradations of temperature are not uniform. 

 The monthly progiessiou is as follows :— 



" Temperature increases. 

 Feb. March. April. May -Ttma .Tuly^ 

 1 foot de^....(Lo*»Bt» 3.10^ 6.01^ 7.^= 'f/ ^^ 



iii°f.'!!^::::."'S:^a'"l.§ 5.I0 ?:S i:S I'S, 



" Temperature decreases. 

 An» Sent Oct. Nov. Dec Jan. Feb. 



FOECING VEGETABLES.— Xo. 5. 



THE C.\RKOT. 



Cabbots must not he omitted from the Ust of the various 

 sorts of vegetables that require forcing, as they are quite as 

 much sought after in the spiing for making-up certain dishes 

 as anv other vegetable sent to table. They are pai-ticukrly 

 sweet: and have a tender transparent flesh, with a flavour 

 peculiar to themselves, so that it is surpnsmg they are not 

 more frequently cultivated. A crop of them can be easily 

 grown by artificial means, since they do not require so much 

 space as'many other sorts of vegetables. A large crop can be 

 produced under a two or three-Ught garden frame, and will 

 last a considerable time, as it is not, like the Potato, an every- 

 day vegetable. To grow them successfuUy a mild temperature 

 only is required, consequently there is much less trouble m 

 applying dung linings to keep-up the necessary temperature. 



Unlike many other sorts of vegetables, the Carrot does not 

 admit of being forced in a vaiiety of ways. The old method 

 practised for so many years has not been improved upon, nor 

 do I think it ever can be. By it we are most certain of pro- 

 ducing what is requu-ed as inexpeusively as by any other 

 plan. It is tliis : Make with dung or leaves, or both together, 

 a hotbed of moderate thickness, and sweeten it in the usual 

 way ; select an open, airy position for the bed, and place the 

 frame upon it when the lieat begins to rise ; if the weather be 

 frosty at the time, cover the bed with G or 8 inches of soil, 

 which should be moderately warmed, or else it will so diminish 

 the heat as to prevent it rismg again. I would advise that, after 

 the frame is put on, sufficient manure be placed inside so as 

 to bring the soil rather close to the glass ; this soil should be 

 of moderate richness and not too Ught. Be certain that the 

 heat is not likely to become too strong, then sow the seed, 

 cover it with finely-sifted soil, and press the whole firmly with 

 the back of the sipade. After the lights are on regulate the 

 heat by ventilation, and when the heat deeUnes apply external 

 linings of moderate heating capacity. WTien the plants show 

 themselves admit air in favourable weather to prevent drawing, 

 and continue this system of ventUatiou throughout the growth 

 of the crop. As tlie plants grow, frequent thinnings wih be 

 necessary, until, at the end of the final one, the plants wiU 

 remaui not less than B inches apart. Water, of course, must 

 be applied, but moderately at first. 



If the seed is sown hi the first week in January, which is, I 

 think, the usual time, by the begimimg of March the lights of 

 the frame may be removed entirely in the daytime and placed 

 on at night; but if they are wanted for other purposes, a mat 

 or canvas protection, properly constructed, will answer the 

 purpose of the Ughts remarkably well. There is not a great 

 choice of varieties for forcing, but those we have are really 

 very good. They are the Early Short Horn and the French 

 forcing Carrot. The latter, I find, comes in a httle earUer than 

 the former, though the Short Horn is a better colour, and, I 

 think, better in flavour. The Short Horn is the one I use, 

 and it gives satisfaction. — Thomas Recohd. 



AMONG THE CONIFERS.— Ko. 1. 



Is no class of hardy ornamental trees is there so much real 

 utility and elegance combined as in the Conifers. From the 

 time they are a foot high until the time they attain to lai'ge 

 proportions, they are as useful as ornamental. It is in some 

 measure owing to the very early age at which young plants of 

 this order can be turned tp account, that tliey are so much 

 esteemed. A choice selection of young Conifers tastefully 



disposed about a flower garden m winter has an exceedingly 

 agreeable effect, and offers many pomts worthy of study. 

 Used for such a puri'ose, planted on lawns in smgle specimens 

 or mised groups, distributed in wUd woodlands and over ex- 

 tensive landscapes, thev arc equally satisfactoiy. 



There can be no doubt but that all the varieties worth grow- 

 ing appear to the greatest advantage when cai-efully arrangei 

 in a pinetum. This, however, can rarely be well done, as a. 

 pinetum, to be worthy of the name, sliould he spacious, and. 

 every part kept in tasteful order. Rather than a form^ 

 pmetum in small gardens, I should like to see the Umited. 

 number of Conifers either associated with other shnibs, or 

 arranged in pleasing groups tending to alleviate the formal 

 aspect of those Primrose-lined turf plats not unusually to be 

 seen. My own idea of a thoroughly enjoyable pinetum is the 

 total absence of all formality of arrangement, and the mter- 

 spersion of groups of Rhododendrons, Roses, Azaleas, Heaths, 

 Kalmias, Ledums, Crataegus, Cytisus, Cercis, Escallonia, Hy- 

 drangea, Maguoha, Pceonia, Philadelphus, Ribes, Spuwa, Sy- 

 ringa, Weigela, or Pyrus. In contrast with the best varieties 

 of these species, the "Couif era; afiord a far more pleasing aspect 

 than when seen alone, as the floweiing shrubs not only con- 

 duce to enliven the scene with their blossoms, but impart 

 greater charm to the " dark-hued Pines." 



The contrast presented by Conifers of the same kind growing 

 in different soils, is very striking and worthy of attention- 

 Even such hardy and common kinds as the Spruce and the 

 Larch, exhibit tlie influence of soil and situation upon then- 

 general appearance in a remarkable manner. Let the soil be 

 light and sandy, or so close as to merge upon clay, but at the 

 same time we'U drained, and the trees will flourish. The 

 Spruces sending forth then- pendant branches in graceful curves, 

 tasseUed with a profusion of luxuriant laterals, and tapermg in 

 all the stateliuess granted them by Nature, compel our ad- 

 miration and care. I have occasionally met with such trees, 

 —notably at Maresfield Park— but perfect specimens are by no 

 means common. A remarkable difference is frequently visible 

 in large plantations, the Larch appealing to flourish much more 

 vigorously upon slopes and elevated positions than it does m 

 low-lying damp soU, where it is not at all a free grower. Its 

 hardy nature does certainly enable it to mature a shght annual 

 growth, even in such a position, but stunted moss-clad trees 

 are an unpleasant sight. It is, therefore, highly important 

 that those who plant such trees should possess a thorough 

 knowledge of the soil and situation they require. 



The Welliugtonia mav be taken as an instance. It is a tree 

 that should never be planted in a permanent position without 

 an especial preparation of the soU. What it evidently re- 

 quires is a very deep, cool, and tolerably rich soU, and without 

 this it cannot be depended upon as a lasting ornamental tree. 

 It is, consequently, not a desirable plant for poor or shallow 

 soils, owing to the very considerable outlay that must be in- 

 curred in preparing the stations. The many interesting ac- 

 counts puhhshed during the last few years about the appear- 

 ance of this forest giant in the woods of Cahfomia, have 

 created a sort of rage for it, so that there is hardly a garden 

 to be seen that does not hold a few plants. They are generaUy^ 

 handsome and thriving, but it is very probable that as the 

 trees gain size, instances of failure and bad health will mul- 

 tiply among them, owing to the exhaustion of the too shaUow 

 soil by the strong quick growth. 



It may be useful to give a few select varieties worthy of 

 associatiiig with the Welliugtonia in its yonng state. Of the 

 Piceas, the ver%- distinct and beautiful Pinsapo, one of the 

 most hardy Conifers, stands first, and the elegant Nordman- 

 niaua and nobiUs deserve to follow. Among Eetinosporas, 

 pisifera is very beautiful when laden with its seed ; leptoclada, 

 very symmetrical and distinct ; and the dense purple ericoides, 

 so useful for combining with the various green varieties. The 

 Pinuses afford us the striking macrocarpa, monticola, and 

 Cembra, all distinct and good. Then there are the Thujas, of 

 which Lobii and aurea are the best ; gigantea, or Libocedrus 

 decurrens, is also valuable for its pleasing shade of green, but 

 its pecuUar rounded top give it a somewhat squat and clumsy 

 appearance. Thujopsis borealis is a great beauty, very elegant 

 and symmetrical. Of other desirable varieties I may select 

 the Deodar, the red and white Cedai's, Cupressus Lawsouiana, 

 Abies canadensis, the Hemlock Spruce, increasing in beauty 

 as it gains size, of which there are some noble specimens at 

 Alton Towers, the elegant Taxodinm distichum, and Araucaria 

 imbricata. There are, of course, numerous other varieties 

 worthy of a place, but my object is to give a few very distinct 



