JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
407 
November 8, 1883. J 
after which sometimes a rotation of crops are taken and the moor laid 
down again in grass. Oftener it is for the purpose of destining the 
hard innutntious grasses that clothe such soils. After such burnings 
tine tender grasses spring up to be by-and-by extirpated by coarse 
grasses, which are again burnt. But these are more farming than 
garden operations. 
When heaps of weeds are burnt—a very wasteful process, as 
•thereby the nitrogen present is dissipated—much earth is charred, and 
more might be if added for the purpose. 
All charred soil should be perfectly incorporated with the soil in 
the manner already described.— Single-handed. 
II AM WOOD, CO. MEATH. 
Among gardens of interest in this part of Ireland (Co. Meath), one 
of the most notable is Hamwood, Clonee, occupied by G. Hamilton, Esq. 
Although not so extensive as many demesnes, the garden is well cared 
for, especially the flower garden, which is admirably kept, and some 
very pretty beds were to be seen at the time of my visit last month. 
When flowers are past their best the flower beds are so arranged as to 
always afford something to meet the eye, instead of being bare. There 
are in most of the beds well-kept shrubs, such as Golden Hollies, the 
foliage of which was the brightest I have seen. Golden Yews and other 
shrubs are also employed in other beds. Ageratum Lady Jane is much 
prized, being better than Cannell’s Dwarf. Iresine Lindeni is also 
much used; and of Pelargoniums John Gibbons and Amaranth are in 
request. Marechal McMahon and Crystal Palace Gem are grown in 
thousands, as is a really good pink Zonal called Mrs. Masters, the best pink 
I have seen in this locality. Carpet bedding receives due attention, but 
was past its best on my visit. Some noble specimens of Conifers are 
notable, including Araucaria imbricata, Cedrus Deodara, Picea Pinsapo, 
P. Nordmanniana, and many others tastefully arranged. 
The glass houses are numerous, and every in li of space is occupied. 
In one house the back wall is covered with Heliotrope, where Mr. 
Latimer, the gardener, tells me he can always cut quantities of bloom 
winter and summer. In this house are large plants of the most useful 
scented Pelargoniums, as a large quantity of cut flowers are needed 
here in the winter months. A stove contains flowering plants, amongst 
which are some very healthy Gardenias grown in large pans. One part 
of the house is filled with Tuberous Begonias, Abutilons, and Pelargoniums, 
and very fresh they looked. Another house contained Tomatoes in 
pots, which have produced a large quantity of fruit, and as soon as a 
plant has been cleared another is in readiness to take its place, so that 
there is every likelihood of being plenty till Christmas. 
At the east end of the kitchen garden are some fine herbaceous beds 
and borders. One border was very effective, having a back row of 
Lobelia cardinalis, next to it Anemone japonica alba loaded with flowers, 
and a row of Tuberous Begonias, which produced a grand effect. Through 
the centre of the kitchen garden runs a broad walk, over which are 
trained cordon Apples, meeting in the centre and loaded with fruit. 
These have a very fine appearance. There are numbers of cordon fruit 
trees in all styles. Every provision is made for the protection of 
vegetables by Beech hedges, which are about 10 or 12 feet high, these 
dividing the garden into squares. Here we find some luxuriant beds of 
Lily of the Valley, and a fine border of Roses. The squares are filled 
with superb crops of vegetables, looking remarkably vigorous with the 
exception of Spinach, which Mr. Latimer tells me he has much trouble 
with. Large quantities of Violets are grown in cold pits, also Lettuces, 
Endive, and other salads. In another was a quantity of Primulas 
and Cinerarias all in good health. Large clumps of Hellebores assist 
in yielding a supply of flowers during the winter months. Mignonette 
in pots, and other useful winter-flowering plants, occupy several pits. 
Chrysanthemums do not receive the same attention here that they do in 
some parts of England, although numbers of useful plants are grown 
for flower supply. Out of doors, too, is a large bed of Schizostylis 
coccinea, from which roots are lifted and potted for winter flowering, 
proving extremely useful. In the Mushroom house were two beds bearing 
freely, a second just showing, and a third bed just spawned. 
The walks are exceedingly well kept, adding very much to the 
appearance of the garden. I have seen a kitchen garden well cropped 
where the walks were green with weeds, which spoiled the whole. It is 
not the case at Hamwood, as the walks are solid and dry, covered with 
very fine shingle or gravel of a slate colour, reminding one of the walks 
in some of the London parks. The garden altogether reflects much 
credit on Mr. Latimer.—J. Pithees, Summerhill. 
KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Digging and Trenching .—Vegetable quarters are now becoming 
vacant, and as soon as they are cleared it is a great advantage to turn 
them up that the soil may be fully exposed to the weather. In spring, 
when the soil is being turned up immediately before putting in the crops, 
the surface of the soil is generally made quite fine ; but at this season it 
cannot be left too rough, and that which is turned on to the surface, 
whether in digging or trenching, should be thrown down in spadefuls 
without any breaking. Deep cultivation is one of the secrets in securing 
first-class vegetables, and all surface-worked soils should be trenched to 
the depth of 2 feet or more. In our large kitchen garden we cannot 
trench it all annually, but we do one or two of the quarters every winter, 
and the whole of the garden has to be trenched in succession. 
Solving Peas. —The early half of November is the proper time to sow 
autumn Peas, and in many instances these will supply pods several 
days earlier than those sown in the spring months. Peas at all 
seasons delight in a deep rich soil, and previous to sowing the seed the 
ground should be deeply dug or trenched and well manured. Borders 
are generally better for sowing in at this time than open quarters. The 
position should be a sunny and warm one, and as much out of currents 
of wind as possible. One of the best to sow now is William I. The 
rows should be 5 or 6 feet apart, the drills 3 inches deep, and after 
the seed is covered with the soil, a thin layer of ashes should be spread 
over the surface of each row to prevent snails and other vermin from 
eating the young growths when they are tender and just comiDg through 
the soil. 
Broad Beans. —Where these are valued early in spring a sowing may 
be made now. They are very hardy and bear severe weather well. They 
will grow in any kind of soil which has been well manured, and they 
may be treated in sowing in much the same way as we have advised 
for Peas. 
Forcing Asparagus. —Asparagus is not much valued when Peas and 
other choice summer vegetables are plentiful, but in many instances it 
would be acceptable from the time the last Peas are gathered until they 
come again. This is our experience, and we do our best to meet it. The 
first roots were put into a bed of a Cucumber pit on 0 -tober 2Gth, and on 
the 1st of November some of the young growths were 2 inches above the 
soil. When the crowns are well developed and thoroughly matured they 
force very easily at this time, and as time goes on and the roots are longer 
rested they grow still more freely. The heat never exceeds 70° at the 
bottom and 65° in the air, with fire heat. In lifting the roots for forcing, 
the fibres should be preserved as much as possible, and in putting them 
into force the crowns should be covered with any light rich soil. In 
cutting, the strongest will of course be sent to the kitchen, and should 
there be any straw-like growths they should be cut away soon, as they do 
no good, and their share of nourishment may be thrown into some of the 
stronger heads. The best of all places to force Asparagus is a Cucumber 
pit, but where this is not available a good hotbed and frame will answer 
the purpose very well, and some may be inclined to try it in a Mushroom 
house, in which case it will come white, and then it will be found 
flavourless and next to worthless. 
Parsley. —It is of the utmost importance that a good supply of this 
should be kept up during the winter, as in the majority of kitchens it is 
in demand daily, and any deficiency causes great inconvenience. Where 
it is deficient of growth and showing signs of being eaten at the root 
with worms, it should have a good watering with water in which 2 ozs. of 
guano has been dissolved per gallon. Protect with frames where 
necessary. 
ERUPT-EORCING. 
Peaches and Nectarines. — Earliest Forced House. —Where ripe 
fruit is required at the close of April or beginning of May the trees 
will have been pruned, dressed, and secured to the trellis, the lights 
being replaced, and everything prepared for a fresh start. If, however, 
the lights have not been replaced they should be placed on at once, 
and the house in either case closed by the middle of the month. The 
outside border should be covered with 9 inches to a foot thickness of 
dry fern or litter, and if with a good slope, so that by placing shutters 
or tarpaulin over it in rainy or snowy weather to throw off the wet, it 
would be a great advantage. Should the roof lights not have been 
removed it is likely the inside border will be dry, in which case it will 
be necessary to give the border a thorough soaking with tepid water, or 
if the trees are weak employ liquid manure in a tepid state. No fire heat 
will be needed if the weather be mild during the first fortnight, or only 
to exclude frost, the day temperature not exceeding 50°, at and above 
which ventilate freely, and 40° to 45° at night. The trees may be 
syringed in the morning, and again in the afternoon if they become 
dry, but they must not be kept constantly dripping with moisture, 
and should be so damped that the branches, become fairly dry 
before nightfall. When obtainable, a bed of fermenting materials made 
up in the house will be a great aid to the swelling of the buds by the 
maintenance of a moist genial atmosphere. Two-thirds leaves, Oak or 
Beech, to one of stable litter thrown into a heap and turned over once 
or twice, and then introduced to the house at the beginning of December, 
will ureatly facilitate the forcing process, as well as lessen the necessity 
for fire heat. 
Succession Houses. —The frees in all but the latest houses have 
become leafless, and ought to be pruned and dressed as soon as possible, 
the houses being also thoroughly cleansed. The surface soil of the borders 
should be removed down to the roots, presuming this has not been done 
already in lifting or root-pruning and renovating the borders, removing 
the remains of the mulching and the loose surface soil, and replace 
with good loam, to which lias been added some crushed bones and 
charred refuse, and give a good watering, although this may not be 
needed in the case of trees that have been exposed to atmospheric 
