May 13. 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
103 
to be depended on for their geueral utility, we add no more 
here than merely saying, that another sowing of the Cape 
and Watcheren ought to he put in, and means taken to 
prevent the fly or other enemies attacking those just 
! coming up, which they are almost sure to do. We need 
not allude to the destruction of weeds amongst them, 
i because the war of extermination was proclaimed at the 
first, and peace to such enemies is out of' the question. 
Sundries. — Spinach, Lettuce, and Peas, may be sown 
almost weekly; small salading oftener. The larger kinds 
! of Blue Peas are more in repute now; and of Lettuce, 
if your situation he dry, it is better to sow whero they 
are to remain, as they are liable to run when trans- 
1 plauted. Sow also Radishes on some cool north border; 
the turnip kinds are the best now. French Beans may 
also he put in if wanted, and Scarlet Runners planted; 
hut if those planted the beginning of the month look 
I promising, it is early enough yet for a succession, as 
this crop continues in bearing longer than many others. 
Turnips may also he sown, and those thinned which 
were sown some time ago. The same to he done with 
spring Onions, only, as we propose an article on thinning, 
we only allude to it hero; a few, however, may he sown 
to draw young for salads, or other purposes, when 
wanted. The silver-sldnned, which were sown the first 
week of the month for pickling, will not require much 
thinning, hut weeds and other superfluities removed. 
Plant out, if not done before, the first crop of Celery, 
and prick out on some welhprepared bed a quantity of 
good stiff little plants to succeed them, after being 
strengthened in this nursery bed. Attend to Ridge 
Cucumbers, Vegetable Marrows, &c., under hand-lights; 
and when all danger from cold nights is over, plant out 
any spare Capsicum plants on some sunny border that 
may he left after the frames and other more favoured 
! spots are filled ; they will produce abundance of green 
fruit, which may he of service for pickling, &c. See to 
Melons now progressing, and take means to keep away 
red spider and other enemies. A cure is much more 
difficult; shutting up the frame warm after a gentle 
watering is very useful that way, only it must not he 
over-done, otherwise an opposite error is run into. Cu¬ 
cumbers being more hardy, and requiring water in greater 
quantities, may he inured to a greater influx of fresh air, 
and the same allowed to remain on later in the after¬ 
noon, before watering and shutting-up. Sweet herbs 
require looking-to now ; and beds of Thyme, from seed- , 
ling plants, may also he made. About the first of June 
is better for cuttings of Sage, the young growth is not 
yet sufficiently firm. Dig and prepare for cropping all 
ground that may become vacant, and hoe, cleanse, and 
keep in order every part of the grounds, which, with due 
management, may he done to the edge of the rubbish- 
heap. Water with prudence—-and, we may add, caution— 
only those things which necessity compels you (see a 
late article); rather shade such seedling crops as, while 
vegetating, shrink from the all-powerful rays of a hot 
sun, or, it may he, the withering influence of drying 
I winds. More forward crops may he treated differently; 
j hut avoid, if possible, systematic waterings. Neverthe¬ 
less, if absolutely necessary, do not delay it, as the rapid 
growth at this season renders corresponding nourish¬ 
ment compatible with a healthy development. 
J. Robson. 
HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY. 
There is, I am sorry to say, among the humble classes, a 
very great carelessness and indifference with respect to 
i honesty, which leads sometimes to great crimes and severe 
punishments; and, in other cases, to doubt and suspicion 
where actual discovery may not have been possible ; but, in 
all circumstances, shame, disgrace, and misery are brought 
upon themselves and tbeir families; for who will choose to 
j employ either man or woman of whom it is felt that they 
are not trustworthy, although nothing can exactly be brought 
openly against them ? It is the bounden duty of parents to 
look closely after their children in this matter, and not only 
strictly to check the very least appearance of dishonesty, hut 
to set them a bold and bright example of faithfulness in all 
things. If a child sees its parent make light of evil, it will 
do so too; and if it is taught to go out and steal wood, or 
allowed to bring home a bunch of turnips, greens, or any¬ 
thing whatsoever , without inquiry or reproof, it will see no 
difference between taking what seems a trifle and what is 
considered worth bringing before the bench of magistrates. 
Children are quicker and sharper than we are ready to sup¬ 
pose ; they see and know what is wrong in an instant; and 
the least want of thought in what their parents or betters 
say or do, leads to a great deal of mischief, the end of which 
cannot be foreseen. 
Charles Smith lived for some years in the family of a 
gentleman, who had a kind of regard for him, because he 
knew all his family, some of whom had worked on the pro¬ 
perty for many years. When this gentleman settled in a j 
small residence, with a garden, a field or two, and a couple 
of cows, he took Charles into his service, to live in the house, 
but to be an out-door servant, and do everything. He was 
just the sort of man for the place ; he could garden, manage, 
a little farm, brew, and turn his hand to everything. He 
was very good-tempered, quiet, obliging, and active, and 
loved the children dearly; was never tired of them, and 
would do anything at any time for all belonging to the 
family. 
In the course of time, his master and mistress had occa¬ 
sion to suspect that there was dishonesty somewhere, and 
they soon found that Charles was the guilty person. Nothing 
of any consequence had been taken, but little trifling things j 
disappeared, such as a blacking-brush, an old reaping-hook, 
odds and ends of useful things lying about, that were not 
forthcoming when inquired for, but that having no legs and i 
feet could not possibly walk away. The beer, too, went at a 
great rate; in short, a stir was at last made, and Charles 
was found out as a petty pilferer. With the kindest inten¬ 
tions, but most unwisely, liis master was melted by his grief 
and entreaties, and did not turn him away. He had mar¬ 
ried one of his fellow-servants, for whom the family had a j 
great respect and regard ; and principally on account of poor 
Betsey, who suffered more than her husband, and abhorred 
Iris crime, so that she never offered to screen or excuse him, 
Charles was kept in spite of his conduct, but was watched 
and looked after more closely. Constantly, however, little 
things were missed; he was scolded and threatened, but, 
still, for his wife’s sake, forgiven ; and so it went on year 
after year until his master changed his residence, and no 
longer needed his services. He then settled in his native 
village, and took to day labour. He was at first employed 
regularly by one family, but his pilfering habits continued ; 
things of no value, but still things that were not his own, 
were missing, and were sometimes found smuggled up in 
the stable, whero they did not need to be; and, therefore, 
Charles was?quietly parted with, and nothing more was said. 
He was such a quiet, steady man to all appearance, that 
others took him on, but he somehow left them after a time, 
although no one ever heard why. 
At last ho was taken into the emplo 3 ’ment of a very 
respectable miller, who settled in the village, and lived with 
him for some time. Sin will not always go undiscovered. : 
The Eye above sees it, and the Hand above brings it to | 
light. The miller, at various times, missed topping and ! 
pollards, and having no reason to suspect any one in parti- I 
cular, he kept a close watch upon all his men. 
“ Quite accidentally,” as men say, but in accordance with ' 
the will and purpose of God, the miller one day found, in a | 
secret place, covered carefully over, a sack of topping. He 
marked the sack, and left it just as he found it. Under 
cover of night the man came to remove it; and the miller, 
who was watching, found that man to be Charles Smith. 
He suffered him to go quietly off with his booty, and gave 
him time to get homo. Charles was sitting at tea with his 
wife and children round him, all but himself unsuspicious 
and happy, when a tap at the door announced a visitor, and 
the miller, with a constable behind him, entered the cottage. 
It was a scone of sorrow. Charles never attempted to deny 
the fact, or resist the constable. He was a quiet, peaceable 
