THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
Aphil 15. 
attention to this general drawback to English springs, 
we would suggest that, in arranging his crops, to bear 
in mind that a shelter from its virulence is very import¬ 
ant to all tender or early produce. Peas that are sown 
in autumn ought to be sheltered from its influence, as 
also ought Cauliflower and other plants. Where no 
natural protection exists, some artilicial one must be 
substituted, which will easily suggest themselves to the 
thoughtful cultivator. As another important point, we 
request liim to suspend transplanting anything in a 
growing and delicate state during its prevalence, but 
seeds may be sown with perfect propriety, and injurious 
as it doubtless is on all but the most hardy vegetation, 
we all know bow useful it is as a fertiliser. Being in it¬ 
self more dry than currents of air from other quarters, 
it speedily withdraws the moisture the new turned-up 
ground is charged with, and insinuating itself into the 
many pores left by the retiring waters, it soon prepares 
such ground for benefiting by the next change of 
weather; or, if it continues long enough, it will act the 
part of a pulveriser itself, as has been so well exemplified 
the present spring, in which we never heard “ of the 
land working so well ” as it has done in most places, not 
even after a severe winter. 
As the ground is now in a condition to receive seeds 
or roots of every kind, to which it also gives promise of 
doing justice to, we request our amateur friends to look 
round and see if everything is sown and planted men¬ 
tioned in former calendars, and keep a sharp look out 
on those early sowings, for whose produce it would be 
difficult to find a substitute; this relates to Lettuce, Cauli¬ 
flowers, Early Potatoes, &c., as well as those more tender 
things still sheltered under glass, as Vegetable Marrow, 
Tomatoes, Capsicums, Ridge Cucumbers, and, what is 
equally important, see that in their crowded condition 
they do each other no harm, neither injure the proper 
tenants of the structure in which they are lodgers. 
Much may be done in this way, and the gardener’s 
powers of invention are never more called into action 
than at this important period. A few French Beans 
may now be sown in some warm, dry border, and a lew 
more put in pans, or boxes, to start and grow, to trans¬ 
plant out early in May. It is better not to place such 
pans or boxes in much heat, as we have some doubts 
whether the “ hardening off ” removes the excitement 
entirely or not. 
Attend carefully to Cucumbers and Melons; add more 
soil to the latter as it is wanted, and train, stop, and 
impregnate them as they keep advancing; it is thought 
good practice to cut away any solitary fruit that may be 
set, where there seems no chance of anymore succeeding 
it quickly, and some insist the whole crop ought to have 
an even start, like so many race-horses, yet the anxiety 
to see early fruit overcomes every consideration with the 
first crop, that we seldom see the retarding process put 
in operation. The quantity of fruit good healthy plants 
will bring to maturity depends on so many circum¬ 
stances, that we can hardly give any rules, but usually 
six or eight fruit to a good-sized frame light is thought 
a fair crop; or, in other words, if every square foot of glass 
produce as many lbs. of melons, the crop is good. Cucum¬ 
bers we suppose to be in bearing, and the usual appen¬ 
dages applied to obtain fine straight fruit when the latter 
is wanted; glasses and boxes form the most common 
auxiliaries that way. Stop all such as show a gross habit, 
which, however, is more effectually checked by planting 
in a soil not too rich or light. When it is advisable to 
leave fruit to ripen seed, some caro, and still more 
uncertainty is at work; the most successful cases we 
have had was in selecting a proper fruit-blossom at 
a time of more than ordinary promise in regard to 
sunshine, and the ingress of bees, &c.; this first we 
impregnated in our rough way, but left, what wc 
believe to be, the most important functions to be per- 
3T 
formed by Dame Nature, and her agents, at the time 
when their duties were most likely to be best performed ; 
as, we confess, being sceptical to the supposed advantage 
of string tied tightly round them, and other modes of 
confinement, such imprisonment we think no more 
necessary to the development of the cucumber than is 
tight lacing amongst the human species. If the weather 
be cold, linings of hot dung will be still required to 
renovate old beds that have been several weeks at work; 
this more especially applies to melons, but where fire 
heat exists the supply is more immediately under 
command. Water may also be given in greater 
quantities than before, and every means taken to main¬ 
tain a healthy condition, to obtain which a gentlo 
humidity in the atmosphere is necessary, not a dry, 
withering heat, varied by clouds of steam at stated times 
—such a state of things will never do; if a dung or tan 
bed be at work the heat there is sufficiently charged 
with moisture, but if flues or hot water pipes be in 
operation, pans of water must be placed over their 
heating surfaces. Be careful to introduce nothing into 
the melon bed likely to bring insects with them, but 
seed pots may occupy any vacant space for a time. 
Sow more Melons to occupy any frames that will hereafter 
be at liberty; those employed in forcing the early vege¬ 
tables, as potatoes, French beans, &c., we suppose to be 
now applied to other use, and some temporary shelter 
made to screen the plants they are removed from. 
Water young Carrots growing in frames rather freely; 
manure water will be beneficial to them, and also to 
Radishes, but all crops growing in such like positions 
will now require a liberal supply of water; and in and 
around the framing ground maintain as much order and 
neatness as in other places. J. Robson. 
ONE THING LACKING. 
By the Authoress of “ My Flowers ,” Ac. 
It has been said by the wisest of men, “ A good name is 
rather to be chosen than riches and happy and blessed is 
the man who, from the fear of God, prefers His favour to 
the highest worldly good. But we often see that, even 
without pretension to religious principle, persons who have 
a steady and upright character among men “have their 
reward." The mercy of God failetli not; He is more pitiful 
to us than we are to each other; and we often mark strik¬ 
ingly His care over those who care little for Him, and 
“ whose fear towards him is taught by the precept of men.” 
We often see persons remarkably led through the. trials of 
life, and sustained and provided for, whose outward conduct 
is moral and trustworthy, but whom, wc know, are not 
possessed of vital religious principle, and who do not make 
the Lord their God the end and aim of all they do. Our 
faith must not stagger at these things. If there was no 
world beyond the grave, no judgment, if our joys and sorrows 
closed with our earthly course, we might indeed wonder that 
thus things should be. But a Christian can “ both hope and 
quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord,” without wondering 
at the seeming prosperity of those who walk not by the rule 
of faith. 
Martha Williams lived for twenty-two years in the same 
family. She was a kind, benevolent-hearted creature to 
every one—to the poor—to animals—to all around, she was 
never weary of kindness; and she was faithfulness itself to 
her employers. The children of the family loved her, and 
gambolled round her; and it was a time of deep sorrow to 
her affectionate heart when the parting hour came. Her 
master died, the property became his son’s, and the widow 
and daughters (who were the second family) quitted their 
dear home and went abroad. Martha remained still with her 
old master’s son. She was warmly attached to all who bore 
the name; and she was a devoted servant to one who little 
deserved it. The tine old mansion was now the house of a 
spendthrift bachelor, and Martha was his household prop 
and stay. In spite of failing health she did every thing she 
could to keep up her master's respectability, and make him 
