November 17, 1870. ] 



JOUBNAL OF HORTICULTUKE AND COTTAGE GARDENEK. 



395 



" The nature of the plantations will be more expensive than 

 that at either of the parks [Southwark and Finsbury] for two 

 reasons. FirBt, the nature of the surroundings, so far as the 

 Metropolitan Board of Works is concerned, is so much richer 

 than anything surrounding either of the parks, that a different 

 class of trees and shrubs will be required to dress the ground. 

 Secondly, the variety of trees and shrubs suitable is much re- 

 duoed, owing to the growth of many varieties being destroyed 

 by the influence of smoke and other causes inseparable from 

 the position. 



" The planting should be to a considerable extent of de- 

 ciduous trees and shrubs ; their beauty and brilliancy of foliage 

 in spring will compensate to a great extent for the absence of 

 foliage in winter, which is seldom bright, except after heavy 

 rains. Thus, I should recommend the plantations to consist 

 of groupings of Laburnums, Acacias, flowering Almonds, double- 

 flowering Peaches, and other rosaceous trees ; of double and 

 single Thorns in groups of colours : also groups of trees con- 

 spicuous for their colour or variety of foliage, such as Copper 

 Beech, Acer Negundo variegatum, &c, and filling up between 

 with evergreens to give variety in winter, so as to afford interest 

 to the plantations at all seasons of the year. 



" Generally speaking, the plantations should consist of per- 

 manent plants, but I think it will be impossible to give general 

 satisfaction without a few patches of flowers judiciously and 

 sparingly dotted about. 



" In dealing with the ground, I have endeavoured as far as 

 possible to adapt the design to future requirements. 



"In dealirig with the Buckingham Gate, it will be necessary 

 to lower the walk leading to it by throwing up banks on either 

 Bide, owing to the gate itself being so much below the level. It 

 would, however, very greatly improve the appearance if the 

 gate were brought up to the' level of the Buckingham Street 

 roadway. 



" In the formation of the ornamental grounds, I think it is 

 of great importance that a water-pipe with hydrants be laid 

 throughout the whole length, so as to be able to water when 

 necessary, and wash and refresh the foliage, as so much de- 

 pends on the beauty and health of the trees and shrubs in town 

 on this being attended to, and so much dependB on the future 

 cost of the keeping, in having arrangements made suitable for 

 the proper performance of these duties in the first instance. 



" I should also recommend that all the walks be made of 

 asphalte, so that they may be always clean and dry for use in 

 all weathers. Although this will entail a large expenditure 

 at first, I believe in the end it will be better, and nearly as 

 cheap. 



" From the magnificent way in which all the other works in 

 connection with your board (Metropolitan Board of Works), 

 have been carried out, it will be indispensable that the finish- 

 ing of this portion of the work should be in keeping with what 

 has already been done ; for, in the words of the Builder of 

 January 1st, ' we must go as far south as Naples to admire, 

 in the magnificent coast roads that fringe that unrivalled bay, 

 a waterside drive and promenade superior to that which 

 London will possesB when the Thames Embankment is com- 

 pleted.' " 



PORTRAIT OF MR. RIVERS. 

 We have to add the following to the lists of subscribers 

 already given : — 



. , £ B. d. 



Anderson-Henry, I., Esq., Edinburgh 110 



Anderson, T., Esq., 6, Marine Parade, Brighton. 3 



Binns, Bichard, Esq., Ulverston 1 



Lane, Messrs. H. & Sons, Berkhampstead 2 2 



Spivey, Mr. E., Hallingbury Gardens, BiBhop 



Stortford 1 i o 



Young, Mr. G., Audley End Gardens 5 



WORK FOR THE WEEK. 



KITCHEN GARDEN. 



Now that winter is at hand, it is of importance to have a 

 stock of keeping-roots in the vegetable-shed. Carrots, Parsnips, 

 Turnips, Jerusalem Artichokes, Horseradish, Beet, Seorzonera, 

 and Salsafy should be secured in the vegetable-shed, which 

 ought to be several feet below the ground level, and have a 

 close-fitting door. The above may be merely laid in heaps. If 

 they are apt to shrivel, vegetables of this kind will be better in 

 layers along with clean sand. Let all the Cabbage plants still 



remaining in the seed beds be pricked-ont forthwith. If there 

 is any spare time get Horseradish, Rhubarb, and Sea-kale 

 planted now instead of in the spring. In all cases be sure to 

 trench deeply and loosen the bottom of the ground. 



FRUIT GARDEN. 



Let the Figs be protected immediately. Nothing is better 

 and more simple than tying wisps of new straw successively 

 along the stems, each overlapping the last. Let all superfluous 

 nails be drawn from wall trees, and proceed at every oppor- 

 tunity with general pruning, the nailing, however, following the 

 knife except on south walls. The trees on these had better 

 remain until the end of January, as the buds are apt to become 

 unseasonably excited. 



FLOWER GARDEN. 



Little can now be added here at present. Where lawns have 

 not been well attended to through pressure of business, another 

 mowing and rolling may take place. The bulk of the dead 

 leaves should be removed immediately preparatory to a general 

 cleaning. If the shrubs require a compost, it is a much more 

 cleanly plan to bring back some decayed vegetable matter when 

 a digging occurs. After so fine an autumn, during which period 

 all bulbs have been got well into the ground, and the Tulip 

 grower especially has commenced his labours under favourable 

 auspices, it is advisable that every bed, however small, be pro- 

 perly and substantially hooped over, so that by oovering with 

 a number of Eussian mats sewn together the whole length and 

 breadth of the bed or beds, the collection may be safely defended 

 from an excess of either rain or frost. Most amateurs were 

 taught a severe lesson last season, the serious effects of which 

 ou their most choice bulbs will be for some time severely felt. 

 Beds of choice Pansies ought also to be protected, and in mild 

 weather traps should be set for snails, which even at this 

 season of the year will cause great detriment to plants. Perhaps 

 the best blooms of those beautiful spring flowers, the Poly- 

 anthuses, can be grown in a pit, which may be built of turves 

 from a pasture field, the roots planted in a compost of decayed 

 leaves, loam, and sheep manure. I would advise your readers 

 to try a turf-pit against one made with brick, at least those 

 who are about commencing the cultivation of the Polyanthus; 

 it will be found more secure from frost, and decidedly more 

 congenial to the habits of the plants than growing them in pofB 

 in frames. Carnations, Picotees, and Auriculas must be ket.t 

 clean and the pots not allowed- to be soddened with wet; in 

 fact, the Iobs water the better compatible with health. The 

 compost heap is a most important adjunct of good gardening, 

 and in too many cases the management of it is still behind the 

 improved practices of the present day. Such is not always 

 the fault of the gardener, but frequently arises from an in- 

 adequate supply of labour at certain periods. I am not an 

 advocate for complicated mixtures, still I must plead for a 

 little loam and some other matters in the compost-yard. At 

 this period one of the important points in this department is 

 to see that the drenching autumn rains have every facility for 

 escape. The best of soils, be they never so well harvested, will 

 become soured in a very short period by the lodgment of stag- 

 nant water. A good compost-yard should on this account be 

 a steadily inclined plane, and the soils or composts should in- 

 variably run the way of the descent in parallel ridges. Now, 

 although the special mixing of soils a long time beforehand 

 is by no means to be recommended, though dignified by the 

 title of " compost," yet it so happens that in general gar- 

 dening much surplus soil or vegetable matter comes to hand 

 in the course of the year ; such in all cases cannot and need 

 not remain separate, for in the mixed state there will soon 

 arise a demand for it, if only in renewing the beds of the flower 

 garden. Those who have not harvested their loam should lose 

 no time, for assuredly a little should be obtained annually if 

 possible. 



GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. 



The winter-blooming Correas, Epacrises, Polygalas, Acacias, 

 Pimeleas, &c, will now begin to make a charming addition to 

 the other inmates of the conservatory. Take care to give atten- 

 tion to judicious watering, more especially to such plants as the 

 Epacrises ; it will not do to trust this process to inexperienced 

 or neglectful workmen. Let all bulbs arousing from their dor- 

 mant state, such as the Amaryllis tribe, the Lachenalias, 

 Oxalises, and others have very moderate supplies of water until 

 the leaves are somewhat expanded. Keep down all decay- 

 ing leaves, and observe the utmost cleanliness. If any of the 

 stock appear too much crowded endeavour to weed out inferior 

 or half-hardy things, transferring them to the pits or frames, 

 or in case of severe need to a shed or outhouse, provided they 



