HORTICULTURAL JOURNAL. 17 



them to suit his own circumstances, than he could by short rules of practice 

 merely. 



Strawberry culture has of late been on the increase, the introduction of 

 many superior varieties has given a corresponding stimulus to superior cul- 

 tivation. The principal points to be attended to in attaining this, is by loos- 

 ening the soil by trenching to a good depth, and manuring liberally, to afford 

 the roots a chance of descending out of the influence of scorching dry wea- 

 ther. Planting in the spring is generally attended with more success than 

 fall planting, on account-of the more favorable condition of the soil at that 

 season. The best method we have seen practised where spring planting is 

 anticipated, is to select young plants about the first of August, and plant 

 them a few inches apart in beds. By this arrangement a large number of 

 plants can be set in small space, where they can be watered without much la- 

 bor if found necessary; and if care is taken in lifting them they will have a 

 sufficiency of roots for immediate growth, and will amply repay the slight ad- 

 ditional trouble. This method allows time for the preparation of the ground, 

 the operations of digging, manuring, &c, being conducted with more ad- 

 vantage during the winter season than at any other time. Mulching during 

 summer has much to do with successful cultivation ; tan bark is much recom- 

 mended for this purpose, and is said to form a specific manure for this par- 

 ticular crop. Without denying that it is so, we can only say that having 

 used it more or less for a number of years, no decided effect has been observ- 

 ed in this respect, and have no preference, so far as that goes, to short lawn 

 grass, hay, or anything similar that will retard surface evaporation. 



General Remarks. — Advantage should be taken of every favorable op- 

 portunity during open weather, in forking and turning over the soil in the 

 neighborhood of fruit trees ; frost is a valuable ameliorator of soil, disinte- 

 grating its particles and favoring the decomposition of inorganic ingredients. 

 The exposure of the soil to the atmosphere at this season is also a ready me- 

 thod of destroying eggs and larvss of injurious insects that lurk in the vi- 

 cinity of fruit trees. The plum weevil may be held in check by this means, 

 more particularly if a sprinkling of salt is scattered over the ground after 

 each operation. The preparation of ground for planting should be proceeded 

 with, draining where requisite, and trenching and subsoiling in all cases; no 

 after-treatment will compensate for superficial preparation in the first in- 

 stance ; parsimonious economy in this respect will be a perpetual source of 

 annoyance and regret. s. B. 



Flower Garden. — There are few things which add more to the beauty of 

 a summer residence than a fine lawn or grass plat ; but how few realise this 

 3 



