February 13,1808.] 



JOURNAL OF HOfiTIOUIiTURE AND COTTAGE GAKDENEB. 



137 



useful whole, can we hope to balance the materials so nicely 

 a? they are when tlie mixture is effected by natural agencies '■ 

 Take, for instance, our best examples of peat or alluvial soils ; 

 both are in a condition more favourable to the growth of cer 

 tain plants than any ordinary mixturo artificially prepared. 

 We ought, therefore, to pause before wo attempt to blend into 

 one mass substances incompatible with the effect desired to be 

 attained. That great results sometimes are attained by arti- 

 ficial compounds, there can be no question, but are we certain 

 that such results are to be permanent :' Most likely not. 

 Nature alone stands pre-eminent for the durability of her 

 works, and be assured the nearer we can approach her in '.'opy- 

 ing her works, the greater the success will be : and in no in- 

 stance, perhaps, is this more apparent than iu the mixing of 

 soils, and their failures after a period of years. 



Ab an exemplification of what is meant by the .above, let the 

 reader refer to a paper on Vine borders, by Mr. D. Thomson, 

 which recently appe.ai-ed in the Journal, and it will be seen 

 that Jlr. Thomson formed his borders entirely of the ordinary 

 soil of the garden, and the results are such as any one might 

 be proud of. In like manner other Vine borders have been 

 formed out of unmixed soils, or rather of soils already prepared 

 by Nature for the purpose. Contrast this with such mixtures 

 as are too often formed on the potting bench. A mixture of 

 peat and loam is recommended, but the latter varies more, 

 perhaps, than any soil. Many loams contain a large amount 

 of chalk or lime, and though eminently fertile, and rich in the 

 substances necessary for the growth of a large number of 

 plants, are, nevertheless, unfit to mix with peat with advantage. 

 Perhaps, too, a siliceous sand may be used as a mixture with 

 both, and this is more frequently done than it ought to be. 

 Possibly when our knowledge of chemistry shall be farther ad- 

 vanced, the impropriety of mixing certain substances will be 

 better understood. It is, however, certain, that at the present 

 time composts are too often thoughtlessly made up, and with a 

 total disregard to those natural laws which cannot be violated 

 with impunity. It would be well to bear in mind that when 

 we can use a material already prepared to our hand, it is not 

 advisable to tamper with it by any addition, and when, as for 

 instance, in the case of a Vine border, it is expected to last a 

 good many years, it would be advisable to have it of a porous 

 nature, so as to receive enrichment by liquid or solid sub- 

 stances, without getting into a stifif, sour condition. Some of 

 the very best borders receive very little assistance indeed, and 

 in their formation a material mixed by Nature centuries ago, 

 forms the basis. By-and-by we may get to adopt the same 

 practice on the potting bench. — Johk Bobson. 



MANY THINGS AND LITTLE .\BOUT THEM. 



Toccnrs of practice make the whole world keen. We have 

 . heard something lately about the " perpetuity " and " non- 

 perpetuity " of fibrils ; also about cordons, their forms 

 and nomenclature. I am glad of it, because the correspon- 

 dence must tend towards progress. I have enjoyed the " chaff- 

 ing," although it was occasionally slightly flavoured with gall. 

 I remember poor Beaton's remark the "last time I spoke to 

 liim on his way from a Committee Meeting, South Kensington. 

 the last time, I believe, he ever attended there. In the course 

 of our conversation I felt he was sore at heart, and he said, 

 "They say my writings are all chaff.'' I placed my hand upon 

 his shoulder, and replied, " They say your writings are all 

 chaff, do they ? Well, youi- writings enliven us, and I am very 

 thankful to you for it ; but besides all that, you may depend 

 upon it, amongst your chaff there can be found a measureful, 

 and running over, of uncommonly good sound wheat." Mr 

 answer sent my good old friend on his way rejoicing. 



Now, among recent contests was one about root fibrils. I 

 know Hardwicke Hall, near Bury St. Edmunds, and I am 

 known to the writer who so often instructs us from thence. I 

 saw some young cordons iu a border at those gardens a few 

 months ago, and the fibrils were then alive, and fulfilling their 

 transitory offices unharmed by delvings, which brings me to a 

 point. Probably you are aware of my success in fruiting or- 

 chard-house trees iu pots. I have from the beginning adopted 

 Mr. Ilivers's advice (pins syringing my trees with heated 

 sewage), as given iu the successive editions of his work, " The 

 Orchard House," as well as by going and taking hints with my 

 own eyes at Sawbridgeworth. Now, contrary to his usual prac- 

 tice, some are advocating surface-dressing in the spring, versus 

 " tcp-dressing " in the artumn. 1 liave determined to try the 



result of surface-dressing, and did not "top-dress" my pot 

 trees last November. The buds are now becoming plump, and 

 are very satisfactory in number, and it is time for me to think 

 about watering the soil in the pots. So after what Mr. Fish 

 and Mr. Elvers have lately written, I thought it might prove 

 interesting if I sent you some examples of what the fibrils 

 aud young roots are now in reality, as a touch of practice and 

 as proving the " non-perpetuity " of the fibrils plainly enough, 

 The inference I am at present able to draw is this : the fibrils 

 of my pot plants being as dead as so much cocoa-nut fibre, and 

 the young roots just pushing out fresh tiny spongioles — fibrils 

 in nonage — would not fresh compost applied in November prove 

 better for them than the soil wherein the dead fibrils have been 

 revelling, exhausting it of itn properties, during the last year? 

 We shall see, but you may foel certain that I shall not neglect 

 surface-dressing under these circumstances. 



Every tree and bush in this garden is, and has been for 

 years, made to undergo the pinching, or cordon plan in shapes 

 most questionable, and I could refer to many to inform you 

 whether they considered any Frenchman, who cultivates his 

 soil, would be likely to produce more or better flavoured fruit 

 from a given space. It he could, then so much the better for 

 France. Here the females of the household have taken to do 

 all the pinching part of the business within their reach, as a 

 pleasant recreation. It is highly satisfactory besides, for they 

 are so led to take more interest in garden matters, and the 

 trees always look clean and neat. Nothing contends against 

 the aphis tribe more effectually than the constant deprivation 

 of the points of the young succulent laterals. 



It was curious to hear the plan so much talked about, as if 

 it were something new, when I was in London. The cordon 

 system and Mr. Standish's new Itoyal Ascot Grape — and what 

 a capital Grape it is ! — were the decided horticultural lions. 



I have yet another subject, of which I am fain now to unburthen 

 my mind. At the Koyal Horticultural Society's Show, at Bury 

 St. Edmunds, last .^uly, there were three cups not competed for 

 — viz , the Ladies' of Bury fiist and second-prize silver cups for 

 Orchids, and the Town of Bury silver cup for Ferns. It was 

 at my tongue's end at the time to beg of the subscribers and 

 the authorities to consider whether those cups could not be 

 given to others, worthy exhibitors, in connection with the 

 then Show, and I now ask whether cups or medals not com- 

 peted for at the great shows of the Eoyal Horticultural Society 

 in the provinces, could not in good faith be awarded to those 

 who are worthily competing in other classes. — Upwaeds iND 

 Onwards- 



WORK FOE THE AVTEK 



KITCHEN GAKHEN. 



Ga'uiiaje, where there are not plenty of autumn-aown ones, 

 sow some seed on the warmest border you have, or in a Kadish 

 frame. Celery and Caulifluwerx, sow on a slight hotbed, the 

 latter to succeed those sown iu the autumn. A pot of Celery 

 may be put into the Cucumber frame, as but a small quantity 

 of seed will be required to be sown thus early, if fine heads 

 are expected in September. Carcof,,-, the ground intended for 

 them should be well turned over and pulverised before sowing. 

 Cvcmnhrrs, sow seeds or procure a few plants from those who 

 force early. The temperature should range from 65° to 75°, 

 allowing 5' more for sun heat. Potaimg, plant in a frame, and 

 forward tubers by putting them in any warm place for planting 

 under straw covers and hurdles. iVd.--, a sowing of these and 

 also Broad ISeanx should be made during the present favourable 

 weather. IladUlicx and other salads, with Cauliflower plants, 

 must be looked over occasionally, to see that no failure occur 

 from damp or vermin. 



FEUrr fiARDEN. 



The Apricot and Peach trees have received a most seasonable 

 check without sustaining any injury. No time should be lost 

 in having them pruned and nailed. Look out what netting, 

 canvas, or bunting you have to protect them with by-and-by, 

 and if yon are short of these materials, have spruce boughs or 

 fern ready in case they should be wanted. These trees seem 

 in a ripe and healthy state this season, and if wet weather do 

 not occur at the time they are in blossom, a few degrees of 

 frost will do them little injun-. Where there are inferior sorts 

 of Apples and Pears, or too many of one sort, procure scions 

 of superior varieties, aud keep them in a cool situation till 

 wanted. Strawberries in succession wiU be brought into frames 

 and houses according to the means at command. The whole 

 stock for forcing this season should be looked over and placed 



