Gardening for Amateurs 



1057 



one, too is to plant out in lines 3 feet apart, 

 the plants being 12 to 15 inches asunder. 

 Between the lines crops of green Onions, 

 Lettuces and Radishes, and even at times 

 Dwarf Beans, are grown. In early dis- 

 tricts the returns from first gatherings are 

 decidedly tempting. I have seen Straw- 

 berries from the outdoor beds from Corn- 

 wall and the Cheddar districts realising Is. 

 per Ib. wholesale, and 8d. per Ib. is a 

 common price at the beginning of the sea- 

 son. Prices fall considerably after the first 

 pickings, and some seasons are very dis- 

 comforting for the growers. Fully-grown 

 plants in the third season may give from 1 

 to 2 tons or rather more per acre. Spring 



frosts in some years play havoc with the 

 blossoms, and the crops suffer greatly in 

 consequence. Royal Sovereign is still the 

 best early sort, though closely run by The 

 Laxton. Sir Joseph Paxton is chosen as a 

 main crop sort, and at one time was largely 

 grown owing to its being firm and keeping 

 well. It too frequently bears a poor crop to 

 be called thoroughly reliable. Straw should 

 always be laid below the berries to keep 

 them from getting gritty and unpalatable in 

 wet weather. The cost of the straw and 

 the attendant labour mounts up, but this 

 work pays the grower if his plants are on 

 any but the heaviest land. An acre of plants 

 requires 20 to 30 cwt. of straw. 



Round the Year in the Garden; What to do 

 early in February 



AMONG THE FLOWERS 



PRUNING Clematis. Early Febru- 

 ary is a suitable time to undertake 

 the pruning of those types of Clematis 

 that need hard cutting annually. These 

 are the Jackmanii, lanuginosa, and Viti- 

 cella types, all of which may now be 

 cut back to within three or four buds of 

 the base of the previous season's growth, 

 as they flower on the young shoots. On 

 the other hand, to cut the florida, mon- 

 tana, and patens sections now is in reality 

 cutting off flowers ; in fact, the less pruning 

 these types have the better. When growth 

 commences after pruning, the young shoots 

 should be trained out instead of being allowed 

 to grow in a mass, the effect being thereby 

 greatly enhanced. 



German Iris. The less these plants are 

 disturbed at the root the better, but when 

 they have been growing in one position for 

 some years the soil is naturally exhausted. 

 In such cases nothing but good results from 

 lifting, and although they may be replanted 

 on the same site, provided the soil is well 

 dug and manured, it is preferable to replant 

 in a fresh spot. The roots may, of course, be 

 divided if more plants are needed. Plant 

 firmly, but not at all deeply, as the rhizomes 

 resent being covered with much soil. 

 67 



Planting Ranunculi. A bed or border 

 of Ranunculi in full bloom is indeed a pic- 

 ture not easily forgotten, and as they are 

 not difficult to grow they may certainly be 

 called amateurs' plants. Various sorts are 

 obtainable, in many shades of colour, and 

 the roots are quite cheap. Light soil, which 

 has been deeply dug and well manured, suits 

 them best, and now is a good time to plant. 

 Place the roots about 6 inches apart, and the 

 crowns must be covered with 2 inches of fine 

 soil. As beginners unacquainted with these 

 flowers are liable to be deceived, and plant 

 the roots upside down, it may be mentioned 

 that the " claws " must always be placed 

 downward, the crown being more or less 

 flat. 



Dividing Border Chrysanthemums. It 

 is not a good practice to leave these undivided 

 for many years, and when cuttings are not 

 taken the old roots may be lifted and divided 

 now. Retain the younger outside pieces in 

 preference to the worn-out centres, and, if 

 possible, plant them in a bed of good soil in 

 a cold frame. 



Sweet Peas. Stir the soil around autumn- 

 sown plants growing in the open, and pro- 

 tect them from slugs by frequent dustings of 

 soot. Some bushy sticks placed around the 

 plants now will do a lot towards protecting 



