283 



CASSELL'S POPrLAR GAEDENING. 



table culture entirely, or a margin be allowed next 

 the paths and around each plot for the culture of 

 Gooseberries, Currants, and Easpberries ; a narrow 

 border would suffice for these bush-fruits, three feet 

 in width would be ample. AH the remainder of the 

 ground could be cultivated close up to these, or a very 

 narrow path allowed for, but we should not deem it 

 necessary iu such small plots of ground to make 

 any such allowance. We would advise the margin 

 around one piece to be planted alternately with 

 Currants and Easpberries, and the other with Goose- 

 berries and Easpberries, allowing about four feet 

 from plant to plant. Planted near the walk, these 

 fruits would be easy of access, and would not when 

 arranged in this manner be so liable to depredations 

 from birds, not nearly the amount of refuge being 

 afforded them when disturbed. By this method, 

 too, there would be a decided gain in the general 

 appearance, as well as every inch of ground being 

 economised for the culture of the indispensable 

 adjuncts of even a small garden, when kept in good 

 condition. Parsley, Lettuce, Eadishes, and other 

 similar small-growing Crops could be worked in 

 close up to the bush-fruits, when the latter are only 

 grown in a single line. 



Hemoval and Transit of Eubbisli. — ^We 



have shown a means of exit in one corner ; this should 

 be secured if possible for the getting in of manure, 

 and for the clearance of rubbish. This latter should 

 not on any account be allowed to remain in heaps, 

 but be removed on every available occasion before 

 decay sets in. Cleanliness is needed in every garden. 

 In a small one the opportunities are more abundant 

 to secure this necessary point. 



Vegetables. — With respect to the vegetables best 

 suited for a small garden few remarks are necessary. 

 It is not advisable to grow large patches of any 

 given sort, of Potatoes in particular. If any of 

 this every-day vegetable are cultivated, only those 

 with short haulm should be chosen, as giving the 

 best possible return in a small space. The earliest 

 sorts, too, should be selected ; then, as the ground 

 is cleared of the crop, another successional one can 

 be got in without delay. Late Cauliflower, Broccoli, 

 Colewort, Cabbages, Turnips, or Spinach would be 

 good selections. In the case of neither of these 

 vegetables would any preparation of the ground be 

 necessary beyond levelling it after the Potato crop, 

 and the clearance of weeds ; digging the soil or the 

 addition of manure not being required in either 

 case. 



Peas are always appreciated when grown in one's 

 own garden, and to obtain a good crop is always 

 verj' ratiafactory. We advise those kinds classified 



as dwarf Peas to be chiefly relied upon. These can. 

 be grown without the aid of sticks, which is a con- 

 sideration when purchase of the same has to be 

 resorted to. The dwarf Peas, too, can be gi-own 

 much nearer together in the rows, the tall varieties; 

 taking up too much space in a. small garden. As'- 

 these are cleared off, another crop should be chosen 

 to take their place. After the earlier varieties 

 Spinach or Turnips would be a good selection, but 

 after the late kinds we would advise the planting 

 of a bed of Cabbage plants for spring cutting. 

 After these are cut in the spring, the stumps 

 should be rooted up, and then the ground would 

 be available for a few rows of Celery. Manure 

 should have been used for the Cabbage crop, and a 

 little also in the Celei-y trenches. When the Celery 

 is cleared away, the ground could be levelled off,, 

 and left in readiness for Peas again. Having re- 

 ceived a good working when under culture with 

 the Celery crop, renders it well calculated to bring a 

 crop of Peas to perfection. Early Cauliflowers or 

 Onions would "also follow the Celery very well ; we 

 do not advise many Onions to be grown, they being 

 purchased very cheaply in most localities. Scarlet 

 Eunner Beans are a paying crop, and an investment 

 in sticks for a row or two of this vegetable woxdd 

 amply repay for the outlay. French Beans (dwarf) 

 are also easily grown, and scarcely need recommen- 

 dation. If the room at disposal is very limited, we 

 would prefer them to the Scarlet Eunners. A few 

 rows of Brussels Sprouts would be of excellent 

 service ; they could be planted between the rows of 

 Potatoes, provided the latter vegetable was given 

 somewhat more space between the rows, say 2 ft. 6 in. 

 Vegetable Marrows require some considerable space, 

 and a rich soil, in order to succeed well with them ; 

 we would only advise a limited space being allotted 

 for these. 



Carrots, Parsnips, Leeks, and Savoy Cabbages 

 had better be left out of the list. The former 

 vegetable is very uncertain in some districts, 

 and the perfume from the Leeks is not of the most 

 agreeable kind during the late autumn, especially 

 after a few sharp frosts. If any Savoys are grown, 

 that kind known as " Tom Thumb " will be found 

 the best, occupying but little space. With the pro- 

 tection of a cold frame during the winter months, 

 some early Cauliflowers should be grown. A portion 

 of ground that bore a late autumn crop should be 

 prepared during the winter to receive the young 

 plants about the end of February. Asparagus is a 

 well-known delicious vegetable, bvit requires a con- 

 siderable amount of room. If any is grown, we 

 again advise the French mode of culture in rows, 

 not in beds as under the old English system. Broad 

 Beans might be dotted between the Potato sets here 



