168 
THE FLOEIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ July, 
Bucli signs as we generally go by, we cannot expect a wet season. Should those 
views prove correct, the free and constant use of the watering-pot cannot be too 
strongly advocated. By its constant use, we do not, however, intend to convey 
the idea that the culturist is to be continuously slopping water about and 
around the same kind of plant or the same plants collectively ; its 
constant use will be requisite to assure to all at least a modicum. 
Proceed upon a basis of sound judgment and forethought, so as not 
to waste either valuable water, or neutralize in any degree the value 
of such labour as may be expended on it. All water given to vegetables 
(growing vegetables not being like permanent trees or shrubs), should be pro¬ 
jected as directly down to the roots as possible. Every drop that is per¬ 
mitted to run about the surface of the soil and above-ground, is literally wasted. 
In watering, therefore, amongst or between vegetables, make where possible a 
drill, or so open the soil as to admit the water more readily down to the roots, 
and immediately the water is given, either return the soil on to its-previous site, 
or place a mulching of litter, manure, cocoa-nut fibre, spent hops, or other materials 
which may be in possession. 
As I have already stated, properly cultivated ground, or such as has within 
itself the necessary stamina, will need less attention than such as has been, 
owing to whatever cause, neglected. Soils that have been indifferently done, 
therefore, may be aided very materially by surface-mulchings, and the aid would 
be very greatly enhanced if the surface were first watered over and the mulching 
immediately applied, as by so doing the natural or latent moisture in the ground 
below would gradually rise to meet this fresh superficial watering, and the inter¬ 
mediate soil wherein the roots subsist, become more softened thereby, so as to yield 
food in greater quantity, and such as the delicate root spongioles can more 
readily assimilate. Vegetable Marrows and Ridge Cucumbers should, now that 
they may be supposed to be growing freely, have particular attention paid to 
them. A good mulching of rotten manure may be advantageously applied to 
them in either case. Pinch back the stronger-growing shoots upon both, and so 
arrange the leaves and shoots that they do not unduly shade each other, or grow 
too thickly together. Cucumbers in frames would well repay similar attention, 
and if the haulm and foliage become at all strong, and such as to fill the space 
densely and rise too closely up to the glass, let the frame be elevated upon bricks, 
and the interstices so formed be afterwards filled in with manure. 
Sow seeds of the following during the third week of the month :— Cabbages 
of the Enfield Market type. Peas of a medium season kind, and an early pod¬ 
ding sort. Lettuce^ Endive^ Turnips, Radishes^ perennial or Flanders Spinach^ 
Onions of the Giant Eocca kind, &c. Prepare a good breadth of ground 
during any rainy period that may exist, for sowing with Spinach during the early 
part of next month, as we hope to advise ; if the ground be dug up during rainy 
weather at this period, it will become in a far better state for the crop than if 
left until the last moment, and it then happens to be an arid period, with perhaps 
the soil very dry below also. Thin-out young crops of Turnips^ and hoe freely 
amongst all growing crops where practicable, frequently, to keep down weeds, &c. 
Continue to transplant Celery into permanent trenches, removing them from the 
seed-beds with all the soil possible attached, and watering them well subse¬ 
quently, nor permit them to get even slightly dry at the root at any time during 
the remainder of the summer. 
Those who delight in possessing young Carrots and Potatos at any or all 
seasons, may now plant the latter and sow a few seeds of the former, of the 
French or Short Horn kinds.— William Eaeley. 
