BO WOOD. 45 



dung linings ; but this, although it answers well, i-equires a con- 

 siderable amount of labour. In the other houses the Pines are 

 grown in pots. It may be added, that all the forcing-houses 

 except three have been erected and fitted up under the superin- 

 tendence of Mr. Spencer, and although on economical plans, yet 

 they answer their respective purposes well. The laying and 

 planting the terraces and Pinetum have also been done by him ; 

 and in accordance with the views of the highly respected owner 

 of these noble domains, he is likely to go on with improvements 

 where such are required. 



MR. LYDIARD'S MARKET GARDEN 

 AT BATH EASTOX, NEAR BATH. 



Visitors frequenting the Society's Exhibitions will recollect 

 seeing very fine Strawberries from growers in the neighbourliood 

 of Bath. I have measured some of them fully 7 inches in 

 circumference ; and in ascertaining their merits, the judges have 

 found it sometimes expedient to use the knife. Mr. Lydiard 

 is one of those growers ; and finding him in the fruit and 

 vegetable market at Bath, he very kindly took the trouble to 

 accompany me to his grounds at Bath Easton, where he pointed 

 out his mode of cultivation, which will be seen to differ in some 

 particulars from that usually employed and recommended. 



It has been generally considered advisable not to cut off the 

 Strawberry leaves ; nevertheless Mr. Lydiard does so. Frequent 

 renewal of Strawberry plantations have also been recommended ; 

 but at Bath Easton they remain in bearing during six, or from 

 that to ten years. 



With regard to cutting off the leaves, it must be observed that 

 this is done, not just before winter, but immediately after the crop 

 is gathered. Moreover, the old leaves as well as the young heart 

 ones are not mowed over indiscriminately with the scythe : a knife 

 is employed, so that the old leaves only can be removed, and the 

 young and pushing ones saved. As a consequence of this mode 

 of proceeding, in the warm soil of the locality, the plants had 

 acquired, by the time I saw them, September 11th, a large size 

 from the growth of fresh foliage, which had even become robust 

 from having the advantage of all the light which the old leaves 

 would have intercepted, had they been allowed to remain. 



These young and vigorous leaves were in a condition to 

 elaborate sap to form equally vigorous roots for supplying 



