10 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
moist, if the latter is well hoed first, and watered, prior to mulching, 
then much labour is saved with the watering-pot when the sun burns 
down and the wanted rain does not come. 
I referred just now to watering. Here is where many cultivators 
fail. Where seedling vegetables are in frames prior to planting out. 
water very carefully and air freely, or serious damping off will occur ; 
the soil also will sour if these precautions are not exercised, and it is 
far better to stint the plants slightly than to over-soak them. When 
plants are set out in their final growing ground, and the dry weather 
comes along, then give the plants a proper soaking now and again ; 
a light sprinkling every day will do the plants very little, if any, good, 
as it is deep at the roots that plants require water. 
An occasional good soaking with manure water, during the period 
of active growth, will do many plants a lot of good, and this applies 
especially to Cauliflowers, Celery, Leeks, Peas, Beans of all kinds, and 
Vegetable Marrows. 
Tools and their Upkeep. — It is always a mistake to endeavour to 
make shift with a short supply of tools, and, when purchasing them, see 
that they are the best obtainable, as such are always the cheapest in 
the long run. Another important point to remember is, to keep them 
in good condition. See that they are properly cleaned at the end of 
the day's work. Never put them away with wet, sticky soil adhering 
to them, but clean it off, and wipe the damp parts of the tool with an 
oily rag to preserve it in a good condition. No workman can do 
himself justice with defective 'instruments, and one always sees that 
the better the workman the better kept are his tools. 
The Use of Frames. — Big growers, of course, realize the value of 
frames for early supplies and preparatory work for the main crops, but, 
unfortunately, the amateur generally does not, and it is remarkable 
how many allotment grounds and gardens are without a frame on 
them. The cold frame is by no means difficult to manage, and repays 
its cost by the saving reaped through its utility. 
In the early part of the year seeds can be brought on ready for 
planting out, and here especially the tyro will benefit, as with good 
seeds he gets good stock, whilst too often does he rely on the local 
nurserymen with bad or inferior stocks of too frequently dried- up 
plants. 
Later in the year the frame can be utilized for various crops, such 
as Cucumbers, Melons, Tomatos, and late-sown Carrots, &c, whilst in 
late autumn and winter the frame can again be used for many kinds of 
vegetables which require a certain amount of protection. 
The Soil Shed.- — A shed should always be set aside, in a well-ordere'd 
garden, for storing the various soils and manures, so that they are 
ready to hand as required from time to time. This shed must always be 
kept well-drained and tidy, and a neat cleanly soil shed is by no means 
an unsightly portion of a garden, provided that it is well looked 
after, but, if allowed to get untidy, it can prove a very bad eyesore 
indeed. 
