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JODBNAIi. OF BOBTICULXCBB AKD COIXAOE GAIVDEMEB. 



[ /nua 19, um- 



in width, bat the wide extent of large pebbles and gravel on 

 either side was an indication of the volume of water and force 

 of its current in the rainy season of the year. 



As wo approached Oyama the land became more undulating, 

 nntil at last we reached the village of Koyasu at its tout, and 

 Bonght lodgings for the night, which, after some delay, were 

 procured. We had proposed to ascend to the summit of the 

 mountain the next morning, but our intentions were thwarted 

 by a guard of ofQcers stationed at a large gate on the road to 

 prevent the intrusion of obno.'dous persons : they were verj- firm 

 and decided in their refusal to permit us to proceed, and there 

 remained no other course for us but to return homeward. Our 

 route lay up an extensive valley running parallel with the 

 mountain range, between which was a range of high hills sepa- 

 rating another smaller valley on the other side of them. We 

 ascended one of these hills, where we had a fine prospect of the 

 whole country before us. The mountains before us were so near 

 that we could plainly discern their features. They are very 

 rugged and precipitous, divided into many sharp ridges, extend- 

 ing from their summit to the base, and only partially covered 

 with forest. In this respect they much resemble the mountains 

 of Lower California, as seen from the sea on sailing up the coast. 

 This resemblance of the mountains generally of Japan with 

 those of that country has been remarked by others who have 

 had the opportunity of observing both, and would point out 

 their common volcanic origin. The vegetation of the country 

 was very similar in character to that of the neighbourhood of 

 Yokohama, the greatest novelty being a species of Hydrangea, 

 or an allied genus, found growing on the banks of a stream of 

 water. I had previously found it cultivated by the gardeners of 

 Yokohama, and already sent it home. 



After foUoi^-ing the valley several mUes, the road suddenly 

 led up to the table land again, and once more we were among 

 Mulberry trees. The unvaried character of the landscape, only 

 relieved by the mountains on our left, combined with the heat 

 of the day, rendered our journey rather wearisome, and I felt 

 glad when, in the afternoon, we made a sharp descent from the 

 plain into the valley of the Sangami, and sought refreshment 

 at an inn on its banks. The declining sun after a while ad- 

 monished 11 . to proceed on our journey to our proposed stopping 

 place for the night. The next morning our road still continued 

 over the plain and between rows of Mulberries. The manner 

 of planting them is by laying out the ground either in squares 

 80 to 100 feet on either side, or in larger sections of 100 to 

 200 feet in depth, the trees being planted on the margins at a 

 distance of about G feet from each other, forming an enclosure, 

 inside of which are cultivated various crops — Sweet Potatoes, 

 Taro, Beans, Upkud Eice, Buckwheat, &o. In cultivating the 

 trees, the system pursued is to confine them to a stem to the 

 height of about 4 feet, and then allowing them to branch off to 

 form a head. Wlien feeding the worms the leaves alone are 

 not gathered, but the shoot of the previous year with all the 

 fresh leaves on it is cut off close to the main stem ; and when 

 all are cut off the tree is left to produce new shoots for the 

 eucceeding year. In process of time, by this yearly close prim- 

 ing, the top of the tree becomes a thickened mass of spurs, but 

 without any apparent diminution of vigour in the tree to throw 

 out new shoots. When first planted they are not subjected to 

 this treatment until tour or five years old. They endure the 

 process many years before they show symptoms of decay, and 

 when this begins a new stem is allowed to start from the root, 

 and eventually the old one is cut out. 



Subseijuent to my trip, I was informed that in other parts of 

 the_ country the practice is not to allow the Mulberry to form a 

 main stem, but to cut the shoots off close to the surface of the 

 Oarth. The soil in which they grow is light and black, not re- 

 tentive of moisture, and can be supplied with but a small amount 

 of fertilising material owing to the extent of cultivation, the 

 comparatively great distance from the habitations of men, and 

 the necessity of its use to other crops in the valleys. The crops, 

 too, within the boundaries of the trees were not heavy, and 

 showed an evident want of manure by the very limited amount 

 of yield. The almost entire want of cattle, except pack-horses, 

 contributes greatly to this want and consequent decreased pro- 

 duction of the soil. The division of the land into small sections, 

 and the mode of planting the Mulberry aroimd them, entirely 

 preventing the application of any but manual labour, must also 

 operate against increased production. 



During the lastday's walk we were surprised to meet, in several 

 places, extensive plains of uncultivated land covered with short 

 grass and a few dwarf bushes. Their exact area we could not 

 9|pejtain;.bat one of th«m, the largest we crossed, was two or 



three miles in width, and more in length. A part of one ol 

 them was covered with a dense growth of shrubbery, and it il 

 probable they all had been similarly covered at some former 

 time ; small portions on their margins were being gradually 

 brought into cultivation. 



In the latter part of the journey the size to which the Per- 

 simmon trees grew attracted our attention. Instead of being 

 confined to farmyards they were growing in the open fieldi 

 among the Jlulberries. Whether they were grafted fruit I am 

 unable to say, but I had never before seen any so large, and 

 their dark shining leaves rendered them quite ornamental. 



In the afternoon we struck the head of a long valley leading 

 towards Yokohama, reaching our homes in the evening, some- 

 what wearied by our walk of over sixty miles, and amply re- 

 warded by the new scenes we had witnessed. 



My second trip, as I have before stated undertaken on horse- 

 back, jjresented verj- little of horticultural interest beyond the 

 first. I observed, in a few places, the Mulberry planted in rowg 

 by some innovation on time-honoured custom, even in this land 

 of fixed habits. I also met, in many places, growing by the 

 side of watercourses, a very beautiful annual Balsam with 

 largo flowers of a fine purple colour. It appeared to me quite 

 new, and I have transmitted seeds of it home, where, I trust next 

 summer, you will be able to judge of its merits yourself. — T. 

 Hogg {in American Giirdener's Monthly). 



WORK FOR THE WEEK. 



KITCHEN GAKDES. 



If former instructions have been carried out, this department 

 will now present many agreeable features. Continual hoeing, 

 forking, and surface-stirring, together with a favourable season, 

 have told well upon the crops, which are abundant and vigorous. 

 All these operations must be diligently persevered in : the tti^ 

 vantages derived therefrom are manifold — weeds are extermi- 

 nated, slugs are disturbed and destroyed, moisture retained at 

 a time when it is most needed, and a healthy relation kept np 

 between the roots and the atmosphere, which last is the prin- 

 cipal cause of the success which follows these operations. 

 Trenching vacant ground must be proceeded with where required ; 

 aud if manure is wanted on ground about to be planted, it ia 

 best to lay it on the top after it is trenched, and then fork it in. 

 Let aU green refuse be removed from every part, and be either 

 dug in or taken to the char-heap. Jsparagiis, be chary of 

 taking too much from the main beds now ; it is best to have a 

 reserve bed, which, if closely cut, will throw up shoots for a con- 

 siderable time, and as it will thus be rendered useless, a new 

 bed should be made every year to supply the deficiency. 

 Brussels Sprouts, plant out the most forward, as also Green 

 Savoys and Buda Kale ; if the weather is dry the holes had 

 better be puddled. Caulijlowcrs, plant out for succession. Cu- 

 cumbers on ridges and banks must have plenty of water, and 

 liquid manure occasionally. Die arf Kidney Beans may be sown 

 for succession. A sowing of Early Mazagan Beans made now 

 in an exposed situation will be useful by-and-by. Peas, BOW 

 Knight's Marrows and Early Frame for succession ; these are 

 benefited by a slight soaking in water previous to sowing, and 

 also by pouring water upon them after they are laid in the 

 drills, but not after they have been covered. Advancing crops 

 wiU be benefited by applications of liquid manure, not too 

 strong, twice a-week. See that the ground is kept well stirred 

 about them. Continue the gradual thinning of Carrots and 

 Onions, as they may be required for use ; but Parsnips, Bed 

 Beet, Salsafy, and Scorzonera, should always be thinned to the 

 proper distance at once. Saladiny of all sorts is now in great 

 request. Look well to succes.sional sowings, and see that they 

 all have copious supplies of water to induce crispness and cool- 

 ness. Scarlet Jiumirrs should have the earth well loosened 

 about them, and a little drawn up to the stems ; then stake at 

 once. Sea-kaU, the buds on the old roots must be thinned out 

 considerably, and dress the beds with strong manure, and fork 

 it in. Young seedlings of Sea-kale must also be thinned, and 

 the thinnings transplanted if required. Keep all advancing 

 crops in a vigorous growing state, by timely appUcations of 

 water in dry weather. Watering should never be done by 

 driblets, here a little and there a little, but every crop shonld 

 be thoroughly soaked. The practice of giving little drops every 

 day cannot be too much avoided ; a thorough watering once 

 a-week will do more good than the same amount of water 

 distributed through each day. 



FKCII GARDEN. 



Employ the engine against the aphis on fro^t ^ees as sooa 



