554 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
[ December 26, 1889. 
ornamental hedges, but I believe that Berberis Darwini might be 
advantageously tried for the former purpose ; it is of sturdy 
growth, and if sheep and cattle could only be prevented eating it, 
it would quickly become a strong fence. Another useful Berberis, 
however, is B. Wallichi, and both make excellent ornamental 
evergreen hedges. The Aucuba is, perhaps, as easily kept in order 
as any evergreen shrub, and amongst ornamental deciduous plants 
the Fuchsia ranks high ; but a good hedge may also be formed of 
the deciduous kinds of Berberis, of which the common one is, 
perhaps, the best, at the same time I fear its beauty will be sadly 
marred when subjected to the close trimming that hedges have 
to undergo.—J, 
AMERICAN TUBEROSES AS WINTER FLOWERING 
PLANTS. 
So greatly prized are these deliciously scented flowers for cutting 
purposes that their pearly white blossoms are welcomed at all seasons of 
the year ; but more especially is this the case at the present time, when 
choice sweet-scented white flowers are as a rule not very abundant. We 
have generally grown a good number for flowering during the summer 
begun to shoot the sooner they are potted the better. It is important 
that all side growths be removed as soon as they appear, or they will 
speedily rob the embryo flower spike, and in many cases prevent the 
plant flowering at all.—H. Dunkin. 
GOOD VEGETABLES. 
As the time will soon arrive when the seed catalogues will be coming 
in, it is best to be ready to order seeds as soon as the catalogues arrive, 
as it not only gives the seedsman more time, but you can depend on 
getting what you order, which you cannot always do later in the season. 
I know that old hands do not require other people’s selections ; although, 
speaking for myself, who am not a very young one, I like to see other 
people’s selections. But I know the first few years I had my seed order 
to send I was very glad of any hints given in the Journal. There are 
so many varieties in the catalogues, they are simply bewildering to the 
beginner. 
Broad Beans .—Early Mazagan is a trifle the best for the first sowing, 
as it is a little the hardiest; but the advantage is slight, and the 
beans are very small. I make a sowing of this in November, but rely 
on Early Longpod for general crop for sowing when the weather is fit 
the end of January. This is followed by Green Windsor. The large- 
FiG. 71.—COVENT GARDEN MARKET IN 1745. (See page 545.) 
months, but this season some plants are flowering later than usual, 
and judging by their present appearance seem likely to supply a few 
blooms continually for some months to come. Some of the plants are 
daily developing good blooms, others are swelling up their buds, and 
some are just showing their flower spikes. Early in the spring we com¬ 
mence potting the bulbs in 3-inch pots, taking care to first remove all 
side shoots. As soon as roots are plentiful the plants are shifted into 
5 and G-inch pots recording to their strength, using a simple compost of 
two parts loam to one of sifted horse droppings. These plants are then 
grown in a vinery at work till the flowers begin to unfold, when they 
are removed to the conservatory or intermediate house. From the 
time the first bulbs are potted others are potted to succeed them at 
regular inter< als of two or three weeks till the allotted stock is used up. 
In this way we have hitherto easily maintained a regular supply of 
these much-esteemed flowers till October, by which time most of our 
plants have in previous years finished flowering, with the exception of a 
few that showed no sign of a flower spike. These, if taken care of and 
placed in a warm house, will generally flower early in the spring. 
This season our latest were potted later than usual. I am not quite 
certain about the exact date, having made no note of it at the time, but 
if my memory serves me rightly the greater part of our plants that are 
now growing or throwing up flower spikes were potted early in July; 
and considering how useful they are at this time of the year it is doubt- 
ess a good plan to defer the potting up of a good number of bulbs as 
ong as it is safe to do so, though of course when once the bulbs have 
podded sorts are not so productive for table use. Dwarf French Beans. 
—Ne Plus Ultra I find is the best for forcing and sowing in frames, 
also for first sowing out of doors. Negro is a good one to sow with it, 
and comes in after the other is over. Runners.—I do not find the new 
varieties more productive than the old Scarlet. 
Beetroot .—A little of the Egyptian Turnip rooted should be sown 
for early use. Cattell’s Dwarf is good for general crop. Where Spinach 
is in constant demand the Spinach Beet is an excellent substitute, or 
to mix with Spinach when you run short ; and it will sometimes stand 
through the greater part of the winter. I do not find cooks take readily 
to the Seakale Beet. Grow some by all means if they will use it, as it 
makes a dish when something fresh is wanted. 
Broccoli .—Walcheren is excellent for early autumn. The Cape 
Broccoli are often recommended, but I never found them of much ser¬ 
vice. I find Veitch’s Self-protecting the most reliable one to succeed 
Walcheren, followed by Snow’s White, Osborne’s White, Cattell’s 
Eclipse, Veitch’s Model, or Sutton’s Late Queen. 
Brussels Sprouts. —Sutton’s Exhibition for early, followed by Veitch’s 
Paragon. 
Cabbage. —Heartwell, Myatt’s Offenham, or Mein’s No. 1 are good 
selections ; Rosette Colewort for winter use and Blood Red for pickling. 
Cauliflower.—Early Snowball, King of the Cauliflowers, are good selec¬ 
tions of Early London, while Veitch’s Autumn Giant is indispensable. 
Carrot.— French Forcing is the best for frames. Early Shorthorn 
for sowing outside to come in before the large sorts, of which the Long 
