S32 



JOUBNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ October 24, 1872. 



7 inches from the path, a margin of 2 inches being kept that 

 the edges might be properly cut. The deception was so com- 

 plete that I stooped down to learn of what tree these were 

 twigs, the colour of the paint was so good. It is an idea worth 

 remembering. 



On several large beds the planting was very effective. In 

 the middle was a line of dark Cannas surrounded by green 

 Cannas. The next line was the dark nettle-leaved plant 

 which is so commonly used (its name I forget) , edged with a 

 free-growing Composite plant with very divided leaves like the 

 Wormwood, but it had no odour. As a foreigner I did not 

 venture to pluck a leaf for your verification. This row was 

 intermingled with the large blue Ageratum, having scarlet 

 Geraniums next the grass. The whole formed for a large 

 bed a most effective grouping. In the square at Havre one 

 range of borders with a north aspect presented new features. 

 The back row consisted of Rhododendrons, followed by the 

 variegated Veronica Hendersonii ; in front of which, part of 

 the border was occupied by a Fuchsia with deep red leaves 

 carefully pegged down , part with Ferns of various kinds ; the 

 remainder with Solanacea? of different kinds — Wigandias four 

 or five varieties, Tobacco, Solanum Capsieastrum, and one 

 with very finely divided leaves. The group as a whole was 

 most effective. Yuccas were planted around the orchestral plat- 

 foim. One of the squares had a row of Hickory trees around 

 it, forming a good contrast with the Plane trees with which all 

 the Boulevards are lined. 



On the farms one instance of saving of labour struck me 

 forcibly. The ploughs were driven by one man without a'boy, 

 the horses three abreast, so that there was no loss of traction. 

 What English ploughman would manage three horses abreast ? 

 The local love of embellishing the horses, Which is so marked 

 in this region, was shown, for all the horses had the remains 

 of what had been handsome harness. On another occasion I 

 noticed a man driving a light plough two horses abreast, and 

 he was followed by a gang of women, who planted what ap- 

 peared to be the thinnings of Swedes. The season for planting 

 Turnips of any kind is so far advanced that I mistrusted my 

 conjecture, but could get near enough to test its truth. 



In England near our country houses we are accustomed to 

 let our trees assume their natural shape ; but in the district 

 under notice all the trees are carefully shrouded, so that instead 

 of a handsome plantation of Beech or other trees, there are 

 growing tall ungainly poles with a mop of small branches at 

 the top. The reason for this unpicturesque culture is shown 

 on looking at the extensive wood yards, where straight pieces 

 for firewood are so much more useful and so much more easily 

 packed away. The tenders for firewood at one of the hospitals 

 were for Elm, Beech, and Oak, showing what trees are most 

 common in the neighbourhood. — J. G. Baetrtju. 



NOTES AND GLEANINGS. 

 Horticultural School. — Mr. McKenzie, superintendent of 

 the garden of Alexandra Park, has been asked by the Company 

 to arrange for a school of horticulture. They will appropriate 

 twenty acres for a garden for the practical instruction of the 

 pupils. 



We have received the announcement of a subscription 



for a testimonial to be presented to Mr. P. Frost, on the 

 completion of his fifty years' continuous service as gardener 

 at Dropmore. There are few of the present generation who 

 can remember when there was not a Frost at Dropmore, and 

 there are equally few who will not hail this movement as a 

 well-merited tribute to one who, we believe, has never lost a 

 friend and never made an enemy. These honours — for honours 

 they are — are not only gratifying to the fathers of gardening, 

 but encouraging and stimulating to the young and aspiring ; 

 and we trust that the hopes of the influential Committee which 

 has been formed to promote this laudable object will be crowned 

 with success. "We observe that Mr. J. Fleming, of Cliveden, 

 and Mr. T. Moore, of Chelsea, are the Honorary Secretaries. 



In their examinations during 1873, the Society of Aets 



will include Floriculture, Fruit and Vegetable Culture. The 

 programme will be issued as soon as possible. It will not 

 differ materially from that for the present year. The papers 

 for the elementary examination will be supplied as usual. 



A letter dated the 21st inst. says of the ceops neae 



Dbbham, "We have rain every other day. Some corn is still 

 out, and even uncut. Potatoes here, as elsewhere, are much 

 diseased and a bad crop. Singular it is that there has not 



been one field Mushroom seen in the north this year. I never 

 knew this before." 



In the last nine months there were 1,571,429 bushels 



of Oeanges and Lesions imported, and the value, as declared, 

 was £791,257. 



It appears that in the nine months ended the 30th nit. 



the declared value of Potatoes imported was £452,549. 



; We learn that the Swiss feuit tbade has increased 



this year to enormous dimensions. The united Swiss railways 

 are scarcely able to supply sufficient waggons for the masses of 

 fruit which are deposited at the stations for transport to Ger- 

 many. 



The ancient gates of Constantinople, which endured 



the attacks of decay for more than 1100 years, were made of 

 Cypress wood. 



WOEK FOE THE WEEK. 



" KITCHEN garden. 

 Now is a good time for thoroughly draining any part of the 

 garden not hitherto done ; to replant the Box and other edgings, 

 or mend the gaps where it is not necessary to remove the whole ; 

 to prepare gravel, &c, for new walks and for repairing the old 

 ones; to make anynecessary alterations; and to thoroughly trench 

 and drain the ground newly taken in, and every spare piece in 

 the garden, choosing suitable weather for these operations. Care 

 should be taken not to operate on close, retentive, badly-drained 

 soils when full of water, which they will continue to be while 

 heavy rains prevail. Broccoli that is now getting too luxuriant 

 may be checked by laying. Some of the Cauliflower plants of 

 suitable size and age should be potted and placed in Melon pits 

 and frames, turf pits, or temporary pits made with a few stakes 

 interwoven with evergreens, long Furze, Heath, Fern, or 

 straw ; they may then be covered when frost is likely to occur 

 with Pea haulrn, evergreen boughs, mats, or anything that is 

 convenient laid on cross poles or sticks. A quantity may also 

 be placed in a warm sheltered corner or border, and if taken up 

 with balls of earth and sheltered as above recommended, both 

 Cauliflowers and Cape Broccoli can be secured in succession 

 through the winter until the early varieties of Broccoli come in 

 naturally in the borders and quarters, thus securing a regular 

 supply of these useful vegetables throughout the year. Warm 

 dry borders and banks should be prepared for early Peas and 

 Beans, so that time may be allowed for exposure to the influence 

 of the atmosphere. Strong plants of Lettuce, of the hardy kinds, 

 should now be planted in well-prepared, dry, warm ground, 

 to stand the winter. Secure the supply of. the best Bed Cabbage 

 for pickling while they are sound and good, after they have 

 had sufficient frost to stay the natural colour. Small Onions, 

 too, should be thought of for the same purpose while they are 

 good. See that the Pea and Scarlet Banner sticks are securely 

 tied in bundles stored away tidily, and thatched with reed, 

 straw, or evergreen boughs. Prepare in wet weather straw mats, 

 thatchedhurdies, &c, and have Bussian mats in readiness for use. 

 Hoe and stir the soil amongst all growing crops in suitable 

 weather, and collect all dead and decaying leaves. Those who 

 have still spare ground should continue to put out Coleworts and 

 other Cabbages ; and if any strong plants of Savoys, or the va- 

 rieties of Kale, should be left in the seed-beds, by all means put 

 them out thickly — say at Colewort distances. Those who are 

 fond of Turnip greens at an early season, if they have any 

 overgrown bulbs left in their beds, should at once collect them 

 and plant them 1 foot apart on warm borders, quarters, or sloping 

 banks ; if they have no Turnips of their own, they should procure 

 a few from the nearest farm, for all kinds of greens will be found 

 useful in the spring on account of the Potato failure ; if not 

 wanted they can be trenched-in for manure. 



FRUIT GARDEN. 



Be careful in collecting the late varieties of Pears ; they do 

 not come evenly to the proper condition to collect, but ripen in 

 small patches, while others on adjoining branches cling firmly, 

 and in some cases are not in a fit condition to gather for 

 several days. The Medlars and Quinces should be collected in 

 good condition. Those that have sweated should be well 

 cleansed by being placed in a dry sack and shaken by tw 

 persons from end to end, the friction will clean them perfectly, 

 when they may be stored. Pruning may now be commenced, be- 

 ginning first with the Currants, and following with Gooseberries 

 and Raspberries ; this will clear a good deal of ground, to be 

 dressed and dug in fine weather. Next prune Apple and Pear 

 trees ; then look over the walls, and cut away useless laterals 

 and late growths on the Peach trees ; indeed, any shoots you 

 think will not be wanted in the spring had better be cut out at 

 once to make more room for the others, and let in the sun and 

 ah- to ripen the bearing wood for next year. The leaves of Peach 

 trees are of very little use after this time, and they do much 

 harm by shading the wood ; you may therefore take your knife 



