114 



JOUENAL OP HOKTICULTUBB AND COTTAGE GAEDENEB. [ Febrawy 7, 1865. 



that the Broccoli would be very small. I pricked out an 

 extra quantity of Cabbage, in sorts, about five hundred 

 plants altogether, and as I cleared away the eoi-ly Potatoes, 

 Cauliflowers, and eai-ly Peas, I planted Cabbages, keeping 

 the plants alive by a watering now and then. Thus I had 

 by October an excellent lot of good Cabbages. I had a six- 

 light frame not in use, I pulled them up, taking the loose 

 leaves from them, and laid them in leaf mould close to- 

 gether. The pit held the lot. I turned them back and 

 cleaned them every three weeks, and I have now enough of 

 good Cabbages to last me till AprU, and they are quite equal 

 to spring-grown Cabbages. The sorts are \Vheelei-"s Im- 

 perial, Entield Market, and Nonpareil. I find Wheeler's 

 Imperial keeps the best. This is a good practice where 

 families do not caie for Savoys. — H. Comley, Gardener, The 

 Hendre, Monmouthshire. 



WOEK FOE, THE WEEE. 



KITCHEN GAKDEN. 



The general preparation of ground for the spring crops 

 having been delayed, no time should now be lost in forward- 

 ing the necessary digging and trenching, preparatory to the 

 more thorough prepai-ation of the soil before sowing-time. 

 The principal causes of success in growing vegetables are a 

 fine tilth, and as great a depth of earth as can be obtained 

 without interfering with the subsoil, if the latter is of a 

 sour nature. Clayey and retentive subsoils should, however, 

 be forked over, loosening the ground to some depth. This 

 will facilitate the passage of water from the roots, and by 

 degrees the subsoil will become improved. There are but 

 few vegetables which do not require a medium depth of 

 2 feet to grow in— some more, and hence the necessity of 

 deep well-pulverised soil for theu' successful cultivation. 

 To be effective tlie manui'e should be completely mixed with 

 the soil to its full depth. For the present, therefore, the 

 dung may be dug' in in the process of trenching, and its 

 thorough incorporation with the soil will be best effected 

 when the ground is again worked over with the three-pronged 

 fork. Kespecting the application of manures to different soils, 

 we may observe that for warm dry soils such as are of a cool 

 nature, as cow or pig-manure, should be applied ; horaedung 

 will answer best in medium loams, while on stiff clayey 

 soils a portion of ashes, road-scrapings, old mortar, or refuse 

 of any kind, may be used in addition to ordinary manure. 

 They will help to keep the land porous, and consequently 

 assist the roots of growing crojjs to permeate the mass of 

 soil. Old Cabbage ground, which has been under Sprouts 

 since last August, will now become available for other pur- 

 poses. Where plenty of Coleworts have been provided some 

 of the latest of the July sowings will supply their place, 

 and stand over for early Cabbage. Old Cabbage ground 

 should be trenched and pretty well manured, as the Cabbage 

 is a scourging crop. It is generally followed by a second 

 sowing of Peas ; the Peas in their turn are succeeded by 

 Celery-beds, and this course prepares again for any of the 

 Brassica tribe. Cauliflowers may be turned out of their pots, 

 putting four strong plants under each hand-glase. See that 

 the spring-sown do not " draw "if raised in heat. Let them 

 be pricked-out betimes. Spinach, a small sowing may bo 

 made between the rows of early Peas. 



FRUIT OAEDEN. 



In the orchard get all planting finished as soon as possible, 

 and stake and mulch. Remember to drain thoroughly. 

 Nowhere is this advice more necessary than in the orcliard. 

 Although Apples and I'eara are fond of adhesive soils, they 

 will never prove profitable where water is allowed to accu- 

 mulate. Examine all old or overborne trees. Many trees 

 of this character may soon bo recovered by applying manure 

 at the extremities of their roots, and also by a good top- 

 dressing. 



KLOWEtt OABDEN. 



Wherever a high degree of keeping is required in the 

 pleasure ground, nothing tends so nmcli to their beauty as 

 a close velvety lawn. It often, however, requires consider- 

 able trouble to secure this desideratum. On rich soils the 

 coarser grasses prevail and are difficult to eradicate or keep 

 under, while on soils naturally poor and which have been for 

 eozne time und^r th^ scythe, \h^ different kinds of mossos 



' ai-e found to increase in a manner prejudicial to the better 

 sorts of lawn grasses. As tho present is the season when 

 the mosses attain their greatest perfection, it wUl be found 

 the best time to eradicate them, and a sharp-toothed iron 

 rake or light drag will be the best implement for this pur- 

 pose, working it sufficiently to bring up the mosses, which 

 should be cleared off and the lawn left for some time, when 

 a second operation may, perhaps, be necessary. In March 

 sow thickly Sheep's Fescue Grass and Crested Dog's Tail, 

 and apply a dressing of lime rubbish and fresh soU, or the 

 latter and fine bone dust, which with occasional rollings to 

 keep the ground fu'm wUl soon produce a good sward. 



GREENHOaSE AND CONSERVATOEY. 



A slight advance in heat may be made on bright days, but 

 if cloudy skies intervene, revert immediately to decreased 

 warmth, and let the humidity be in the same ratio. Those 

 who are growers of Epacrises, Corraeas, Leschenaultias, Poly- 

 galas, &c., will soon enjoy a rich treat in those charming 

 tribes. Camellias at this time require abundance of water. 

 Keep a sharp eye upon Ericas, Epacrises, &o., that are pot- 

 bound, some of these will requu-e liberal watering. In ad- 

 dition to keeping the conservatory gay with blooming plants 

 let the arrangement of the interior be occasionaUy changed, 

 by grouping the plants somewhat differently and adding a 

 few sti-iking ones, as some of the hardiest Palms, &c., for 

 effect. Orange trees in tubs are liable to be affected by a 

 black fungus on the leaf, having the appearance of soot. 

 This should at all times be thoroughly cleaned off. A little 

 soapsuds, wai'm, with some sulphur mixed with them and 

 applied with a sponge is a good remedy. Fuchsias may now 

 be put in a little heat to start them for cuttings. Such as 

 are wanted for early bloom may be pruned-in preparatory 

 to disrooting them. Pelargoniums for early blooming wOl 

 now require careful ti-aining. Thin ovit the shoots where 

 too crowded, and tie-out the rest in the desu-ed form. Fumi- 

 gate on the first appearance of green fly, as it will save 

 much after-trouble. 



STOVE. 



The plants here will in general now require an increased 

 amount of atmospheric moisture with a slight advance in 

 heat. We prefer such advances to be for the most part on 

 the afternoons of bright days, when the solar heat may be 

 enclosed, and writh a moist and wholesome atmosphere. Begin 

 to repot Orchids, taking them exactly in the order in which 

 they bud. Be sure that your material is scalded or half 

 changed to destroy insects. Keep the plants well elevated 

 and use plenty of charcoal in lumps of considerable size, 

 fastening the whole at least so that tho plant cannot be 

 loosened by gentle shaking. Sphagnum or other moss 

 pegged on the top makes a good finish, and is to be recom- 

 mended in houses which are unavoidably deficient of atmo- 

 spheric moisture. Syringe plants on blocks occasionally. 

 Keep a sharp eye on insect-baits at this time. — W. Keane. 



DOINGS OF THE LA.ST WEEK. 



KITCHEN GARDEN. 



Here the work done out of doors, owing to the snow, has 

 been very limited. Removed on Thursday the covering from 

 Cauliflowers, Lettuces, Radishes, &c., which had thus enjoyed 

 a night of fully a weeV, and looked none the worse of it. 

 As the weather becomes milder will give them all the air 

 and light possible. With this object, washed in a thawing 

 day the glass underneath which Potatoes and Peas are 

 growing in pots. Gave also all thel ight and air possible to 

 Asparagus in frame, and would introduce more, but that we 

 ai-o a little short, and also uncertain as to when it will be 

 most wanted. Planted two frames of Potatoes, the beds 

 having just a little bottom heat from tree leaves, planting 

 rather thickly and putting the earth about them in ridges, so 

 that some temporary things may have standing room be- 

 tween the rows. Finding we were deficient of material to 

 mako a slight hotbed just now for early Carrots, sowed some 

 in boxes, so that they may bo placed where there is a little 

 heat, and be hardened off by degrees. Wo will, however, 

 have a two.light box as soon as iJosaiblo, as abed of Forcing 

 Dutch or Early Horn CaiTots is one of the most useful 

 things aljout a garden. Wo always think such quick-grown 

 little dots havQ ft sweetness peculiar to themselves. Re- 



