December 1, 1863. 



JOUENAL OF HOETICULTUKE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEE. 



437 



patience, activity, attention, self-dependence, and self-cul- 

 ture. True, there are but few Trentliams to reward the 

 aspirant for fame and distinction ; but the smallest garden 

 will be made the most of in proportion to the activity com- 

 bined with intelligence brought to bear upon it, and just in 

 the same proportion will the gardener be happy and com- 

 fortable in his work. We would ever advocate self-culture 

 in intelligenoe, not so much to fit a man for a great place — 

 not so much to enable him to keep it when he gets it — not 

 merely to insure him any social distinction and elevation — 

 but chiefly and above all, when united with self-control and 

 moral pi-inciple, as the means for insuring happiness and 

 elevated enjoyment. His house may not be large, nor the 

 most comfortable, and the locality may be so secluded that 

 he can have little social converse ; but the mental wealth of 

 palaces, and mansions, and noble halls, and institutes of 

 learning, are all waiting for his use ; whilst in books, the 

 best of friends, he can hold intimate converse with the great 

 and the good of every age and cUme. Thus the delver may 

 not only have the self-respect of a gentleman, but be treated 

 like one, in all intercourse with those superior in station. 

 "We are happy to know numbers of such men who, from their 

 self-acquired and right-directed intelligence, realise in the 

 capacity of servant a seemingly greater delight in the pro- 

 ductions of the garden than the employers who pay for it 

 all. So true is it, that the greatest activity in toU may ever 

 be associated with the greatest pleasure and elevated en- 

 joyment. E. Fish. 



SOME GAEDENS WOETH SEEIKG. 



SUFFOLK. 

 Name. Proprietor, Gardener. Station. 



ShrublandPark..... Sir G. N. Broke, Bart Mr. BUir Claydon. 



ThOTDham Hah Lord Henniker, M.P Mr. Perkins..., MelUe, 



Brome Hall Sir E. C. Kerrison, M.P. ... Mr. Peacock... Dins. 



Oakley Park Sir IC. C. Kerrison, M.P Mr. Robens..... Diss. 



Havengliam Hall .. Lord Huntingfield Mr. Keep Yoxford. 



RedKr.ive Hall Lord Clilden Mr. Boutell MelUs. 



— James Cubitt. 



woee: foe the week. 



KITCHEN GAKDEN. 



As it is now a good time to start the first crop of Aspara- 

 gus, Rhubai'b, and Sea-kale, we trust that a few remarks on 

 the forcing of these things may not be unacceptable to 

 persons of small experience. The old plan of forcing Sea- 

 kale is a most expensive and unsatisfactoi'y mode ; expensive 

 on account of the breakage of pots and the loss of labom-, 

 and unsatisfactory on account of the want of a more perfect 

 control over the whole proceeding. The best as well as the 

 most economical plan is to take up the roots and force them 

 in a body together after the manner of Asparagus. To 

 accomplish this, it is, of course, necessary to grow strong 

 roots in the kitchen garden for this special pui-pose. We 

 say strong, for no mode of forcing can produce good Sea-kale 

 unless the roots be strong to begin with. Such roots being 

 available, they may be forced in any structure which wiU 

 exclude light and the severity of the weather. They can be 

 forced in frames with a double mat nailed down over the 

 glass. They can also be grown under a mere wooden box, 

 but the general practice is to force them in the Mushi-oom- 

 house. A sunken pit is also useful, and this should be 

 2^ feet in depth, 18 inches for the fermenting matter, and 

 1 foot or nearly so for the crowns to rise and for any opaque 

 covering considered necessary. The strongest fermenting 

 matter to be placed 18 inches below the crowns, and the roots 

 upon it, merely covering the hot manure with old leaves. 

 The crowns to be set thereon as thickly as they can stand 

 and filled up between with light soil, leaf mould, or old tan. 

 In a couple of days, if the heat is found to be too strong, 

 it can easily be reduced by the application of a little cold 

 water. Ehubarb is forced successfully in a similar way. The 

 roots, however, may be placed in large pots and set on flues 

 or other warm surfaces. Asparagus requires the same treat- 

 ment as to bottom heat as Sea-kale, with this difference in 

 top management, that whereas Sea-kale cannot be kept too 

 dark. Asparagus shoidd have all the light this dull season 

 affords, and abundance of air when the weather is mild in 

 order to produce colour, without which there can be but 



little flavour. Asparagus to have 4 inches in depth of soil 

 over the crowns. The occupation of the ground by crops 

 suitable as food for a vai'iety of insects in the course of a 

 series of years, brings a numerous collection of such depre- 

 dators into a garden. The application of methods for their 

 extirpation often taxes the ingenuity of a gardener to a co»- 

 siderable extent. The analogy existing between insect and 

 vegetable life restricts the choice of means, for the substance 

 which may be provided for the destruction of one may in- 

 juriously affect the health of the other, hence the necessity 

 of caution in the use of materials. There is, however, one 

 substance not open to any objection which may now be used 

 with advantage on land from which the crops have been 

 removed — ^viz., lime. Ground cropped the preceding season 

 with Carrots, JParsnips, and Potatoes, and found, as is fre- 

 quently the case at this time, infested with grubs, &c., 

 should have a good dressing of lime dug in, or, if that cannot 

 be afforded, the soil should be turned up in ridges for the 

 winter. Artichokes (Globe), to be thought of for protection. 

 Lettuces, examine the young plants frequently, and dust vrith 

 lime or soot to check the devastation of slugs. 



FLOWEB GARDEN. 



Now, as the leaves have all fallen from the deciduous trees, 

 there should be a general dearing-up. The leaves and 

 sweepings of the walks to be laid about the shrubs in the 

 shrubbery, and to prevent them from blowing about they 

 should be slightly covered with soil. This mode of proceed- 

 ing wUl be much better for the shrubs than digging amongst 

 them and destroying their roots. 



FEUIT GARDEN. 



Proceed with the planting of fruit trees in open weather, 

 and if the sod is old let each tree have a good portion of 

 new soil about its roots. Pruning and nailing all sorts of 

 wall trees except Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots, should 

 now be vigorously prosecuted. Leave nothing for the spring 

 which can be done now, every day gained now wdl give 

 greater Uberty for spring operations. 



STOVE. 



A cautious application of fire heat must still be observed 

 here. Keep the temjierature rather lower than otherwise 

 for fear of exciting a premature growth. Cleanliness and a 

 judicious use of the watering-pot should be strictly attended 

 to. A small portion of air may be advantageously admitted 

 on fine days, and wiU greatly assist in pm-ifying the atmo- 

 sphere of the house. Many stove plants with large fleshy 

 roots, such as the different varieties of Ipomieas, should now 

 be allowed to become nearly or quite di-y. 



GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. 



Attend to the removal of Chrysanthemums and all othei' 

 plants as they turn shabby. Some of the early Camellias 

 wiU soon be ready to take their places. Occasional fires will 

 be useful during dull, damp, or rainy weather, taking care 

 not to raise the thermometer unnecessarily high. Every 

 endeavour should now be made to keep the conservatoi-y as 

 gay as possible. In mixed greenhouses see that the young 

 stock of Heliotropes, Geraniums, Cyclamens, Chinese Prim- 

 roses, and other flowers grown especially for winter have 

 nice light situations and regular attention as regards water- 

 ing. In addition to keeping the conservatory gay with 

 blooming plants, let the p.iTangement of the house be oc- 

 casionally changed by grouping the plants somewhat dif- 

 ferently, and adding a few striking ones, such as Orange 

 trees, Araucarias, and any other plants of beautiful fohage, 

 with here and there plumes of the Pampas Grass, &c., for 

 effect. 



FOBCING-FIT. 



This structure to be kept fully occupied with all the dif- 

 ferent plants usually employed in forcing for the decoration 

 of the conservatory or drawing-room. In successfully forcing 

 many plants the application of bottom heat will be found 

 indispensable ; a well-constructed tank is, therefore, a neces- 

 sary adjunct in this department. 



PITS AND FRAMES. 



Keep the stock in these structures well ventUated, and 

 the surface soil of the pots frequently stii-red. Dust witk 

 sulphur Verbenas and other plants atta,cked with mUdsw. 

 Be particular in keeping the interior as dry as circumstances 

 w-iU permit. Prevent drip as soon as perceived. 



W. KlEANE. 



