JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
142 
[ February 15, 1883. 
than many a one that monopolises a far greater space. In 
addition to many other good plants, a fine bed of Petunias and 
another of Pansies and Violas were very attractive. His Carna¬ 
tions and Picotees were select if not numerous, and the fact that 
on the way home I twice saw consignments of these and Pansies 
from Deemount would seem to imply that Mr. MacPherson has a 
name for them considerably beyond his locality. Almost the 
only Gladioli 1 met in the north were here, but they were second- 
rate sorts. On the way out by Ferry Hoad and at other places about 
Aberdeen I could not help noticing the extent to which Tropseolum 
canariense is grown. It was really beautiful on the fronts of 
many cottages and villas. 
My impression that human nature is much the same wherever 
we go, whatever difference there may be for the better being, 
of course, always on the side of the lovers of flowers, is consider¬ 
ably deepened by my visit to Aberdeen. Whether or not we 
really are “ a’ John Tamson’s bairns ” the experience of anyone 
who finds the material of the granite city at all emblematic of 
the hearts of her sons must differ not a little from mine.— 
A Northern Amateur. 
P. S.—Relative to the Richardia-like plant alluded on page 113, 
it is a true Richardia, as I was careful to inquire, but produces 
nearly black spathes.—A. N. A. 
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[By the most skilful Cultivators in the several Departments.'] 
KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Excessive rain is retarding kitchen garden operations to a 
greater extent than has been experienced for some years. Some¬ 
times one fine day allows us to dig over some ground for sowing 
or planting, but heavy rain soon follows, and it is most difficult to 
get any crop in satisfactorily. Under such circumstances it is 
better to wait, as it is a great evil to sow seeds or insert plants 
when the ground is saturated. A few frames and handlights are 
of the utmost importance in such a wet spring as this, as many 
young vegetable plants can be then brought forward. A gentle 
hotbed is a great assistance ; but we do not approve of this to any 
great degree, as, although Cauliflowers, Brussels Sprouts, and 
Lettuces grow rapidly at this season with a gentle bottom heat, 
there is always much danger of their being severely checked when 
they are deprived of this and planted out. Frames placed on the 
ordinary garden soil in which seeds of different vegetables are 
sown will afford a batch of hardy dwarf plants for placing out a 
month or six weeks hence. 
Potatoes .—The main crop of early Potatoes should be planted 
this month. This crop should be confined to south borders. From 
20 inches to 2 feet between the rows, and 15 inches from set to 
set, are suitable distances for most early Potatoes. The earliest 
Potatoes in frames now require earthing-up. Where the surround¬ 
ing soil is not sufficient more should be introduced ; rough ma¬ 
terial is much better for the purpose than fine soil. Many of our 
best show Potatoes are very tender and liable to disease. When 
planted late and not matured until August or September the finest 
tubers are generally lost, but if planted in early spring and lifted 
in June or July they will be found in excellent condition. With 
this object in view allow the sets to form robust sprouts, and pre¬ 
pare the ground for their reception on the first opportunity. 
Carrots .—Seed of French Horn Carrots may be sown in a 
favourable position. A light soil is most suitable at this season. 
Where young Carrots are growing in the frames the plants, if 
thick sowing was practised, may be too close to admit of healthy 
development, and they should be examined occasionally that tho 
masses may be thinned-out before they are drawn. Carrots which 
were stored in sheds in autumn are now growing again from the 
crowns, and to prevent this they should all be turned over, the 
growths rubbed off, and placed back again in dry sand or leaf soil. 
Beetroot and Parsnips, Salsafy and Turnips, should be treated in 
the same way. 
Globe Artichokes .—These should now have attention. The 
earliest heads are produced on plants which have been established 
for some time. As a rule, however, manure is placed round them 
during the winter, and this should be forked into the surface. 
Where plants are scarce the old one3 may be taken up, divided, 
and planted again. They delight in a deep rich soil and an 
open position. 
Rhubarb roots maybe treated in the same manner. Old Seakale 
roots from which a crop is not expected should be taken up, each 
crown cut away with a piece of root attached and replanted. 
This is an easy way of securing a fresh Seakale plantation. 
Ilorseraeish .—Where this has been growing in the same place 
for some years it should be dug up. Select the best roots and 
replant them. We prefer pieces about 12 inches long, as thick 
as an ordinary walking-stick, and quite straight. Let the soil be 
rich and deep. Lay in the remainder in a corner to meet demands 
until the new plantation is ready for use. 
Onions .—Those sown in autumn should be transplanted. Just 
enough should be left in seed beds or rows to form a crop, and 
all others should be planted in a very rich piece of ground ; allow 
15 inches between the rows and 10 inches from plant to plant. 
Place finely sifted ashes over Peas which are coming through the 
ground, as snails may do them much harm. Earth up and stake 
those more advanced. 
Birds are particularly fond of pulling up young Radish plants, 
and to prevent this it is often necessary to place a piece of net 
over them at this season. Admit abundance of air to Cauliflower 
and other young plants under handglasses and frames. Many of 
the autumn-sown plants may now be moved to their bearing 
ground. Close to walls and between row's of Peas which have 
been lately staked are suitable places for early Cauliflowers. 
Early Onion seed may be sown in a well-manured border. 
Leeks .— Seed may be sown in any corner to supply a few plants 
for early shows. The soil cannot be too rich for them, but as those 
sown now will all be transplanted again a reminder of this will 
be given by-and-by. 
The last batch of Asparagus may be put in. It may be had 
readily now in any house or frame where the top and bottom heat 
is about 70°. Kidney Beans should now be sown under glass in 
large quantities. Pot all advancing crops of Potatoes and 
Cucumbers. In many instances the latter will now be ready for 
the fruiting bed. Lumpy rich soil and a temperature of 70° will 
soon produce abundance of fruit. 
FLOWER GARDEN AND PLEASURE GROUND. 
Herbaceous Borders .—The occupants of these borders seldom 
receive the treatment they merit. The majority being gross 
feeders and spreading rapidly, unless frequently manured, occa¬ 
sionally divided, and replanted, inevitably become weakly and 
flower very indifferently. Probably the best time to reform an 
herbaceous border is in the autumn, after many of the fibrous- 
rooted kinds are cut down. At this time and not later all bulbs 
which are usually intermingled may be moved. Phloxes, Pyreth- 
rums, Anemones, Asters, Dielytras, Fritillarias, Irises, Spiraeas, 
Tritomas, Delphiniums, Hemerocallis, Potentillas, Polemoniums, 
Tradescantias, and other plants of similar habit may all be and 
will be improved by being divided at the present time, a plunging 
fork being best for the purpose. Replant firmly, taking care to 
well cover the whole of the roots in deeply dug and freely manured 
ground. Heavy land will be much improved by a good dressing 
of leaf soil. The bulbs are now well advanced in all borders, and 
a dressing of short manure or leaf soil may be forked in without 
any risk. Careless workers and spades ought not to be trusted 
near herbaceous borders. Pinks and Carnations have been much 
preyed on by slugs, and the only remedy is to trap the ever- 
increasing pests. They collect in great numbers on heaps of bran 
or Broccoli leaves, and may then be destroyed. In drier weather 
they may be caught easily under pieces of slate laid flat on the 
ground. A brood of ducks may well be introduced into the 
kitchen garden, where the herbaceous borders are often disposed, 
more being hatched to replace them when too large to be either 
industrious or trusted. 
Propagating Bedding Plants .—Many Pelargoniums have damped 
off during the winter, and it will be necessary to strike a consider¬ 
able number this spring. At one time autumn-struck plants were 
much the best for summer flowering, but the varieties now gene¬ 
rally grown flower freely when struck in the spring, and the 
bronze, golden, and silver-variegated sorts are best struck at this 
time. All our old plants are in a newly started vinery, and 
when they have commenced growth the tops will be taken off and 
dibbled thickly in well-drained 8-inch pots, and stood on the 
staging over the hot-water pipes. Light sandy soil is employed, 
and no water is given till the cuttings are healed, or about a week ; 
afterwards water is given as required. The Ivy-leaf section and 
the scented-leaf kinds strike the most readily in heat, and these 
and the useful small yellow-leaved Robert Fish may thus be 
rapidly increased, the tops in each instance beina: allowed to grow 
till large enough to form other cuttings. We are also com¬ 
mencing to pot all the stronger varieties that were wintered in 
boxes, these being placed in the vinery above mentioned till esta- 
