May £8, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
447 
citadel itself, or in the adjacent, Trinity Square, and one might say 
flourishing on the whole in spite of London smoke, but they have the 
advantage of a somewhat elevated situation. And to the poor waifs of 
the Minories and Mint Street what a privilege it is to wander round 
Tower Hill and breathe a purer air, while they can behold trees and 
shrubs clad in the garb of spring ! 
For, whichever we accept of the many explanations offered of the 
name “ London ”—the two most probable being the “ town of ships ” or 
the ‘'town of the lake”—there cannot be a doubt that the site of 
primitive London was on the rising ground below London Bridge, and 
which after the lapse of two millenniums still retains its elevation. 
Possibly the Homans had flower and fruit gardens upon its slopes, but 
concerning these history has nothing to tell. They enlarged the area of 
the city by draining off some of the marshes or fens, for when the Britons 
lived here unmolested London must at times have presented almost the 
appearance of an island, so much did the river broaden towards Surrey 
and Essex ; and centuries later this city and its vicinity continued to be 
a first-rate place for horticulture, so numerous were its streamlets and 
springs. In Saxon and Norman times there were gardens near the 
lower that have since been converted into streets, and a vineyard is 
mentioned by one author as yielding some seasons a good supply of 
Grapes within the precincts. “ Savage Gardens ” still exists as the name 
of a pile of buildings off Tower Hill, but if there are savages extant 
there (to speak allegorically) the gardens have certainly gone. And on 
the east side of the Tower was once a fine open space edged with trees— 
East Smithfield— i.e., “ Smooth-field,” now become a part of the Docks. 
Ihe gardens which encompass the Tower, and which are formed from the 
old moat and the land above it that separated it from the roadway, date 
their history from 1813, when that insanitary and sluggish ditch was 
cleared, filled up, and gravelled or turfed. A variety of evergreens were 
planted, also some trees. Older trees there may have been that have died off, 
but I could not perceive any in the gardens that looked more than thirty or 
forty years old. These are disposed somewhat irregularly, though here 
and there forming small clump3, the Planes and Limes looking well, as 
they generally do even in the heart of London, especially the former, the 
Elms suffering from the atmosphere rather than from internal fees ; some 
Ash trees also appeared to be sickly. Lilacs and Laburnums, if of stunted 
growth, were not deficient in leaves, but scant of flowers, for which, 
perhaps, judicious trimming would be serviceable. It seems to be com¬ 
monly thought by those who plant these in our London gardens and 
squares that they can be left to themselves year after year. But not only 
do they require the shears, it is also necessary that the soil about them 
should be attended to. As the Oak is a tree that shows a strong aversion 
to smoke, it would be vain to seek for one within the Tower Gardens, 
appropriate as is the place to Britain’s typical tree. 
We note a curious instance here of partiality for the Elder, this species 
appearing again and again of varied size ; in fact, upon the north side of 
the gardens there is a hedge consisting of Elder only. Was the planter of 
these touched with the superstitious regard for the Elder that was at one 
time prevalent ? Concerning the flower beds in the Tower Gardens, it 
would scarcely be fair to give an opinion, as they were seemingly much 
in the condition they must have been through the winter, but no doubt in 
the summer some of them are planted out, and this cold May might justify 
keeping things away from the open ground. A few of the flowers of 
spring alternate with bunches of those melancholy-looking Flags, which 
were formerly so common in the little back gardens of London’s main 
streets. 
The beds, though not many or large, of Trinity Square close by show 
more care ; here i3 about five acres of ground, the centre being grass ; 
small beds are interspersed, some white with Saxifrages, others yellow 
with Crocuses and Lilies. The grass looks green and flourishing, albeit 
not free from Clover and Daisies. There are older trees here than in the 
opposite gardens, two large Planes attract special notice, which must 
have contemplated not a few changes in this part of London. Beside a 
Hawthorn hedge one notices scattered Hawthorns of some size and fan¬ 
tastic growth, which bid fair to live an d grow for many years yet. Trinity 
Square, of course, was originally part of the large plot, curtailed even in 
the days of Stow, where London assembled in its thousands whenever 
some notable event occurred at the Tower, or upon Tower Hill. Here in 
1551 the citizens are said to have raised a shout on one occasion which 
was heard at Charing Cross.—J. R. S. C. 
SCARECROWS. 
In “Notes and Gleanings” a few weeks since you noticed that a 
correspondent had mentioned a bird’s nest that had been built in a bat 
that crowned a scarecrow. Such an incident, however, has often been 
mentioned before, and it is very decidedly eclipsed by the note mentioned 
by Captain Noble recently in the Times, that a sparrow had built her nest 
in a box intended to hold charges for firing attached to the gun—a 
0-pounder—that is fired twice during the day at Woolwich. There was a 
hole in the box which was no longer used for the original purpose, and 
one day when fired a sparrow flew out. The box was examined, and 
found to contain a nest with five eggs in it. In due time the eggs were 
hatched, in spite of the regular firing. 
Both these cases prove that birds may get accustomed to anything in¬ 
tended to frighten them, either by sight or bearing. The sharp boy who 
replied at the examination that if a gun were fired at five birds on a tree, 
killing three, none would be left on the tree, because “ t’others would ha 
fleed away,” might possibly be wrong if the same two birds had been 
fired at and continually escaped, for in roccss of time they would decline 
to take any notice of an explosion that never injured them. So it is with 
rooks. Half a dozen dead ones placed about a field newly sown have a 
decidedly deterrent effect at first; but in a few days the fear is gone, and 
the rooks take no further notice, feeding close to the so-called scare¬ 
crows. 
Most persons living in the country have seen a wheat rick attacked by 
rooks, and it may be truly said taken by storm. The rick is black with 
the attacking birds ; the ground for 50 yards is strewn with straws, the 
refuse of the depredations so deftly carried out by the attacking blacks. 
All around are to be seen rooks, some pulling out a straw, others flying off 
with the long streamer in their beaks ; others, again, at a little distance, 
quietly sacking the ear of corn. It is a common practice in some parts of 
the country to push pieces of stick into such a rick, each stick having a 
piece of cloth attached to it. The effect is marvellous. The rooks cease 
their attack; but in a few days, seeing that the sticks remain as they 
were, and that no injury happens, the work of destruction is soon recom¬ 
menced unless some alteration be made in the shape or position of the 
so-called scarecrow. This, one cannot but fancy, is a sort of reasoning on 
the part of the rooks ; at least, it has very much that appearance, and 
though it may take longer time to educate other birds, yet it is probably 
the same with them. Rooks are knowing enough, and they belong to the 
birds that “ walk,” and I fancy I have a dim recollection that our friend, 
“ Wiltshire Rector,” once hazarded the opinion that birds which “ walked ” 
were wiser than those that “ hopped.” Be this as it may, it follows that 
if scarecrows are to be effectual they must really terrify the birds. This 
cannot be effected by any stationary apparatus, for it will soon prove 
unavailing. What, then, are the best scarecrows ? I do not fancy many 
of us are prepared to follow a clerical friend of mine. He “ preserves ” 
his Strawberries twice—first by the stratagem I am going to mention, and 
secondly in the ordinary way of the kitchen fire. His plan is this :—On 
each side of his Strawberry bed he has an iron rod running along about 
an inch from the ground, and firmly fixed at each end. At one end there 
is a nice snug little water-tight house, a domicile for a cat, which, by 
the aid of a chain and ring, which runs along the iron rod, commands one 
side of the bed, and another on the other side completes the “ scare¬ 
crow.” 
There is little doubt that birds are very decidedly careful about being en¬ 
trapped by strings, and if a sufficient amount of this intertwining is carried 
on over Gooseberry and Currant bushes it will prove fairly successful ; 
but as the fruit ripens the young growth has pushed out beyond it, and 
has most likely hidden the same ; therefore, I think it would require repe¬ 
tition. Made-up figures, the ordinary form of scarecrows, are useful if 
every few days they are remade up, altered in appearance, and shifted in 
position. Strings with feathers need to be altered in position, and to be 
in greater number than is generally seen if they are to be successful; but 
if these two points are kept in mind they answer fairly well. So do bits 
of glass and tin. tied to string, and so arranged as to touch each other 
when swayed by the wind. The “ sweet music ” that is “ discoursed ” 
by them has no great charm for the birds, and effects its object; but these, 
too, will answer better if their position be altered. 
In dealing with birds there is no truer axiom than that “ familiarity 
breeds contempt.” Whatever they are familiar with they have ceased to 
fear; hence the secret of success is change, both as regards sights and 
sounds.—Y. B. A. Z. 
vJO 
life 
11 (Jk- 
WOHK. F0I l THE WEEK,. 
't ; 
KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Late Peas. —A good batch of late Peas should now be sown—Laxton’s 
Omega and Sutton’s Latest of All are both excellent. Deeply trenched, 
heavily manured soil should be given them. The situation should neither 
be sheltered nor windy, but sunny and comfortable. As early Potatoes 
are dug from the borders the ground may have more manure if necessary, 
and be occupied with this crop. The rows may be from 6 feet to 9 feet 
apart; open them from 2 inches to 3 inches deep, and sow moderately 
thick. If the seed is good germination is sure to take place freely, and 
no extra covering apart from the ordinary soil need be used. Earth up 
and stake previously sown crops. Do not allow the stems to be blown 
over on any account. Take the points out of aU that are in bloom and 
which are desired to pod as soon as possible. If rain has been as prevalent 
everywhere as it has been with us lately artificial watering will be quite 
unnecessary, but Peas in bloom or in pod should never be allowed to 
become very dry at the roots. 
Kidney Beans. —A large sowing of Runners should be made now. 
These will begin bearing in August, and continue until cut off by frost. 
There is no use in trying to grow them well in poor shallow soil. A row 
here and there in the garden generally succeeds better than putting them 
in close together, as when allowed to run up to their full height they 
shade each other, and interfere with fertility. Earth up and stake those 
sown some weeks ago. Clear out Dwarfs from under glass as soon as 
they have ceased to produce fruit. Canadian Wonder may now be sown 
largely. Allow 18 im-hes or 2 feet between the rows, and sow thinly • 
