4^0 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



have not space to deal more fully with the subject ; but I can remind all gardeners, 

 amateur or professional, that frequent dusting of fresh soot in the early stages of growth 

 is one of the safest remedies for the Onion and Celery fly, while finely-sifted cinder 

 ashes placed close round the growth of all kinds of Beans, Globe Artichokes, and Marrows 

 are an almost sure preventive against slugs. As for wire-worms, when the ground is infested 

 with these, dress it lightly with gas lime during the autumn, and trench in the dressing during 

 the winter. 



I HE WEATHER. — In this uncertain climate few crops can be left to chance, especially 

 during spring and autumn. Cold winds and frosts will often ruin many tender esculents, 

 such as French and Runner Beans, Potatoes, and Marrows, therefore covering material should 

 always be in readiness, or a few hours may completely spoil the whole of the crop. It is 

 better to err on the side of affording too much protection than too little, and a good gardener 



A WALK IN THE KITCHEN GARDEN AT HEN HAM HALL, SUFFOLK. 



will often have to sacrifice his rest to see that this is carried out during the late hours of 

 the night. 



WALKS. — No kitchen garden can afford much enjoyment without good walks and 

 paths. It is important that, whatever the material used, whether gravel, asphalte, turf, etc., 

 the foundation and mode of construction should be thorough. Drainage is a necessary factor 

 in any case. My opinion is that no Kind of walk" is so desirable from a practical point of 

 view (for it is not my business here to talk of appearance) as gravel when neatly edged with 

 blue Staffordshire tiles. By using the now popular w eed-killer these may be kept perfectly 

 free from weeds without the slightest damage, but in the case of live edgings, such as 

 Box, weed-killer cannot be used ; and, moreover, they are expensive to maintain, and form a 

 harbour for slugs. Grass paths on a light gravelly soil, when well kept, are doubtless a 

 pleasure to the eye, but the necessary wheeling entails the use of boards, which is 

 costly, and in no case are they suited when the traffic is heavy or constant. I can only 

 hope that the faults of style may be in some measure redeemed by the practical 



