May 19, 1863. ] 



JOURNAL OE HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



36S 



fresh blood into the source of supply, this troublesome disease 

 might have been much more general and serious than it is. We 

 frequently hear of some plantations growing Etrong and vigorously, 

 while others, in preoisely the same circumstances, prove complete 

 failures. The cause is to be found in the seed being good in the 

 one ease and bad in the other. I have always found that where 

 the genuine Tyrolese seed, or that from high localities, is grown, 

 the plants surpass in healthiness and rapidity of growth those 

 raised from home-saved seed ; and while it has been objected that 

 such plants are less hardy than those raised from our own seed, 

 I can state that, for a long time past, I have carefully watched 

 the progress of both, side by Bide, from the one-year seedling 

 to the two-year transplanted, and after the first year could never 

 perceive any difference between them. In some seasons I found 

 the one-year foreign seedling prolonged its growth in autumn, 

 and was apt to be caught by early frost ; but, after being trans- 

 planted, I have never observed, any dissimilarity in regard to 

 early or late growth. 



In addition to what I have thus indicated for the prevention 

 of the disease and the improvement of the stock, I would further 

 suggest that a somewhat different management is requisite on the 

 part of nurserymen. In place of having beds 3J feet broad, and 

 from 20 to 25 yards long, producing 40,000 to 50,000 one and 

 two years seedlings, were the same space of ground to contain 

 about half the above quantity, it would conduce greatly to the 

 healthiness of the trees. The best soil is productive only to a 

 certain extent, and beyond that limit nature will not by any 

 means be forced. No tree is more sensitive of confined space 

 and impatient of want of air than the Larch ; and while in some 

 cases a short-sighted and mistaken policy may still compel ad- 

 herence to the present practice of crowding, I am thoroughly 

 convinced that true economy consists in growing the plants 

 much thinner than has been generally done. Even with an 

 additional coBt of about a third more per 1000, superior plants 

 would ultimately be found much cheaper than those now to be 

 obtained in the market, aud there can be no doubt they would 

 come to be preferred. 



A thorough system of draining for forest-planting is also 

 needful, for the -Larch does not thrive in wet, sour land. Every 

 piece of ground allotted for this purpose should be carefully 

 examined, in order to ascertain what extent of draining may be 

 really required ; and although the roots of trees seldom go far 

 into the subsoil, it is generally advisable to drain to that depth ; 

 and after the drains are made, should the land he very wet, it 

 would be muoh better to wait for a season until it drips suffi- 

 ciently. Experience has proved that, without attention to drain- 

 ing, any previous care bestowed in the selection of proper seed, or 

 in the preparation of the land, is utterly lost ; and proprietors 

 would consult their own interest by cordially seconding the 

 exertions of their foresters in this important matter. 



Besides the suitable preparation of the soil, there is yet a 

 most essential part of forest-culture to be attended to— viz., 

 the early and careful thinning of the young plantations. Whether 

 it be the case that the blistering which frequently manifests 

 itself on naked and drawn trees in plantations is the result of 

 raising from thickly-sown seed, I am not prepared confidently 

 to assert ; but it is possible that such may be the fact, and that 

 the germ of the disease may remain latent in the plants till 

 they arrive at a certain age. The existence or development of this 

 excrescence greatly depends on the future circumstances of the 

 young trees ; and nothing encourages this unhealthy token so 

 much as having them growing close together. In such a con- 

 dition, having no room to expand, they become lank and bare, 

 and on being thinned are all the more liable to be caught by the 

 spring or autumn frosts at the ascending and descending of the 

 sap. Suffered to grow deprived of the needful circulation of the 

 air, they acquire a sickly habit, and when suddenly exposed, 

 the change is too much for them ; they are, as it were, frost- 

 bitten, and the blistering is the manifestation of the evil. But 

 careful and timely attention to the requirements of the young 

 trees would prevent this. Were a sufficient space for their 

 healthy development always maintained, and the clearing-away 

 of all superabundant growths attended to, it would allow the 

 plantations to get a fair start ; and I have no doubt the young 

 trees would soon acquire a vigour such as would enable them to 

 overcome any tendency to blistering which they might otherwise 

 exhibit. We seldom see a Larch covered with branches to the 

 ground presenting a blistered appearance ; and were the treat- 

 ment here suggested generally followed out, there would be 

 comparatively few cases of failure heard of. 



WOKE FOE THE WEEK. 



KITCHEN GAEDEN. 



The Broccoli season being now nearly over, the stumps Bhould 

 be all oleared away, and the ground dug ; or, if intended for 

 Celery-trenches, these maybe prepared without digging the whole 

 of the ground. Beans (Broad), as soon as the pods begin to 

 form at the lower part of the stem, top the plants, which will 

 greatly forward the cropping of them. Earth-up the 6uccessional 

 crops after a shower of rain. Brussels Sprouts, prick-out the 

 early sowing to strengthen them previous to finally planting 

 them out. Carrots, sow Early Horn to draw young during the 

 summer. Celery, prepare trenches by throwing out the Boil 

 frum 1 foot to 18 inches deep ; and for the early crop, which is 

 seldom allowed to stand till it attains full size, 2i feet between 

 the trenches will be sufficient. Dig into the trenches 6 inches of 

 old hotbed dung, which for Celery is preferable to that which is 

 rank and new, and as Boon as the plants are ready plant them 

 carefully, choosing a dull day for the operation, make a hole 

 for the ball with a garden trowel, and finish with a good 

 watering, and where practicable 6hade for a time in bright 

 weather until they get established. Dwarf Kidney Beans, sow 

 for succession, and transplant those which have been forwarded 

 if not already done. Parsley, thin out the plants of the early 

 Bowing to 6 inches apart. More Beed may now be sown. Peas, 

 continue to earth-up and stick the Buccessional crops. Sow, also, 

 in smaller quantities for succession. The north sides of sloping 

 banks are well adapted for these sowings, being cooler and more 

 retentive of moisture. Radishes, sow the Long Scarlet, and 

 generally Turnip sorts. Scotch Kale, sow ; as also the old 

 English Colewort. Both are very useful for planting after 

 Potatoes. Sea-kale, remove the pots and also the covering as 

 soon as done with, and afterwards dig between the plants. 

 Spinach, thin the early crops, and sow again for succession. 

 Prick-out all sorts of advancing seedlings that they may be 

 Btocky, and gain strength before their final planting. Stir the 

 surface of the soil wherever the late rains have hardened it. 

 Above all things catch the slugs, which are very numerous this 

 season. Sprinkle crops they are fond of attacking with soot 

 aud lime mixed, and lay traps for these — such as cabbage leaves, 

 slates, pieces of board, &c, and turn these over daily, when 

 numbers will be lound on the side that has been next to the 

 ground and oan be destroyed. 



TXOWEK GAEBEN. 

 As the shrubbery will soon present a gay appearance, activity 

 and attention must be the order of the day in this quarter, that 

 the deciduous and evergreen flowering-shrubs may appear to 

 the best advantage. Nettles, Thistles, and Brambles should never 

 be permitted to make their appearance here. There are plenty 

 of these to be seen in every hedgerow. The Pffionies, Phloxes, 

 Delphininms, Lysimachias, and other tall herbaceous plants to 

 be properly staked. Roll, mow, and clip the edgmgs of grass 

 lawns once every ten days, and use the daisy-rake at intervals. 

 Thin out annuals, stake plants in the border as they grow, 

 remove all deoayed leaves and flower-stems, and everything dis- 

 agreeable to the eye. What delightful weather we have had 

 during the past week ! It has been all that could Tpe deBired for 

 present operations. Verbenas and Petunias should now be 

 turned out into their summer quarters. Peg down all the shoots 

 when the planting of the border is finished, and before another 

 bed is commenced. Plant out Dahlias that have been grown in 

 pots into the flower-borders, fill up the holes with some good 

 compost and finish with staking each plant and mulching the 

 ground. The early-flowering bnlbs — as Tulips, Hyacinths, 

 Turban Ranunculuses, &c, should not be left in the ground 

 after the decay of the foliage, as if wet weather occur they will 

 be making fresh roots, which weaken them for next season. 

 Roses will require frequent examination. Remove unnecessary 

 shoots at once. Plant out in rich soil a good supply of Stocks 

 and Asters for the autumn, and sow a succession of annuals for 

 making up any vacancies that may occur ; and likewise make 

 another sowing of Mignonette in pots, for the rooms or for 

 filling window-boxes. 



TB01T GAEDEN. 



Peach and Nectarine trees infested with green fly or curled 

 or blistered leaves to be well syringed with strong lime water in 

 a clear state from a syringe or garden engine. Continue to nail 

 young Bhoots of all kinds of fruit trees as they become suffi- 

 ciently advanced. Give the Strawberry-beds a final stirring, and 

 have some available material at hand for laying about them to 



