GLEANINGS ON HORTICULTURE. 



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mulched with cow-dung, which so greatly assists the ripening of 

 the fruit, that the size and flavour are much improved. 



The soil should be made of turf from an old pasture, mixed 

 with decayed leaves and well-rotted dung. All runners should 

 be taken off, and liquid manure be constantly applied in dry 

 weather. 



ON THE GROWTH OF ASPARAGUS. 



In growing asparagus, the first thing necessary is to excavate 

 the ground to the depth of four feet; and having made a founda- 

 tion of wood-fagots — drains being underneath six feet apart — the 

 soil should be capable of receiving and parting with water readily; 

 as perfect drainage is of the first consideration. It should be two 

 feet in depth, and each bed about four feet in width, and be 

 mixed with stable-dung, turf from an old pasture, and sandy 

 loam. 



The plants are placed one foot apart each side, the roots being 

 well spread out during the month of March, and none should be 

 cut until they are well established. In October, cut the stems 

 off close to the ground, and cover them with old leaves or rotten 

 dung six inches in depth; this may be forked in during the fol- 

 lowing spring, and salt and liquid manure supplied every fort- 

 night. After the third year, you may cut as much asparagus as 

 is needed, following out this treatment, and abstaining from 

 earthing up the beds, which renders the plants so hard that the 

 tips only can be eaten. 



THE ORCHARD-HOUSE. 



Plan of training fruit-trees on a trellis, under glass, which must 

 be regarded as a most needful improvement in horticulture, on 

 account of the greater accumulation of heat, and its radiation 

 from the ground immediately beneath to the leaves, fruit, and 

 branches of api'icots, peaches, &c. — an advantage which Mr. 

 Rivers has availed himself of to a very large extent. The trees 

 are planted in a slanting direction, and the main stem brought 

 up above the trellis ; and to secure the roots from too much 

 moisture, the lights may sometimes be drawn down over the 

 border, or a good tarpaulin will protect it from heavy rains and 

 frosts. Annexed is the plan of a shed erected in Chancellor 

 House kitchen-garden for training apricots, peaches, &c., so as 

 to render them independent of our uncertain climate. It should 



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