FEBRUARY. 
55 
know Botany—but this he should know—nor yet foreign languages ; 
French and German, however, would be great acquisitions. On 
reviewing, therefore, the qualifications wanted and the prospects held 
out, I can only come to the conclusion that gardening as a profession 
appears to me to be retrograding rather than advancing with the times. 
Leaving the above facts in the hands of young gardeners, I would 
wish to impress on them the absolute necessity of self-improvement and 
the study of those branches of learning which, when once acquired, give 
their fortunate possessor an immense advantage over the mere practical 
man, and will enable him to secure every favourable opportunity for his 
advancement which comes in his way. 
Philo. 
SHORT HINTS ON PREPARING SOIL FOR GARDEN 
CROPS AND CULTIVATION. 
The ground for spring cropping, if not already in a state of preparation, 
should at once be taken in hand—that is, when the weather is dry; 
for, make it a rule never to touch land when in a wet state, or covered 
with snow. 
Asparagus, Seakale, and Rhubarb, aU require a deep rich sandy 
loam; the two former will grow well on soils either sandy or peaty, but 
prefer the former. Neither wiU thrive on a stiff clay. Trench two or 
three feet deep, and weU mix throughout the soil good rotten dung and 
a little salt. Where dung is scarce, sea-weed (this is capital for the 
two former), leaves, and the sweeping of lawns, perfectly rotten, as well 
as the sweepings of streets, are good substitutes; all (except the sea¬ 
weed) to be mixed with salt after the rate of 6 or 8 lbs. to each pole of 
ground, or 3 lbs. of guano and 1 lb. of phosphate of lime may be mixed 
with road scrapings or ashes, and applied when the above manures are 
not obtainable. Of the two. Asparagus should have the richer soil. 
Before planting, if there is time, turn back the entire mass, which will 
mix the manures and soil better together. Plant in March or April. 
Salt is not indispensable for Rhubarb, which may be planted at once, 
3 feet by 4, or 4 feet each way, for producing extra fine stalks. 
Peas .—Early Peas delight in rich warm open soils, and where a 
good dressing of manure has been given to the crop preceding, but little 
need be given for this. Trench or dig the ground deeply, and let the 
situation be exposed to the sun but sheltered from rough winds. 
Peas for summer require a heavier soil, very deeply dug and well 
mixed with rotten dung—cow or pig-manures are best. The roots of 
Peas will penetrate the soil down to 2 feet, if open. The summer crops 
are best sown in shallow trenches, which should be left partially open, 
to allow for watering in dry weather. The secret in obtaining good Peas 
in August and September lies in a deep, open soil, through which the 
roots can penetrate, and an abundance of water. On dry or shallow 
soils. Peas at the above period soon become attacked with mildew, and 
unproductive. 
