THE COTTAGE GARDENER, 
349 
March 28.] 
widely, they rest on a precisely similar basis, and a 
first-rate kitchen or commercial gardener may he 
safely looked up to as a model by which the proceed¬ 
ings of the allotment holder may be shaped. As 
bearing on the manure question, we would point to 
what is termed “ soiling,” as applied to live stock; 
and whatever benefits may be derivable from it to a 
farmer on a larger scale, of this we are assured, that 
it is eminently calculated to benefit the cottager wlio 
keeps a cow or two. 
By a “ soiling ” system, we mean the cutting and 
carrying the green food to the shippon, shed, or cow¬ 
house, instead of consuming it in the field. By this 
practice, about one-half the usual quantity of land 
allotted to a cow will suffice. By this mode, the 
cottier’s land will be found to increase in depth of 
tilth and richness annually, for his manure will an¬ 
nually increase. 
Green Crops. —Of course a difference in the mode 
of cropping would bo necessary; for a variety of other 
things creep into, and form part of, this system in 
different parts of the kingdom ; the difference being, 
lor the most part, based on the character of the soil 
in its relation to any given crop. Thus, pad clover 
and rye grass mixed, about 12 lbs. of the former, and 
a peck and half of the latter, is a very general fa¬ 
vourite. Lucerne, also, to which we alluded at page 
292, is scarcely second to any crop, especially if laid 
down on soil which lias got into fine tilth, and be¬ 
come perfectly clean through previous root-cropping, 
under high culture. About 12 lbs. of seed to the 
acre will suffice. As early spring feed, too, rye, au¬ 
tumn sown, is a useful adjunct; sometimes, mixed 
with vetches. Of course, potatoes, swedes, mangold, 
cabbages, carrots, and the other valuable roots, will 
chime in w r ith such a plan as winter soiling; as, also, 
all the other items suggested in previous allotment 
papers; the main difference being, that there will be 
no need of what is termed permanent pasturage, 
and, indeed, little, if any, under hay, in the common 
sense of the term. Oats may alternate occasionally 
with this system, both in order to improve the rota¬ 
tion by creating much organic matter in the soil, 
and also in order to provide straw to consume with 
the roots in winter. 
Some caution is necessary in giving clover to cows, 
its swelling tendencies are well known. The best 
way is to cut it a day, at least, before it is consumed; 
the beast, too, should be attended on the principle 
“little and often.” By these means, if a small en¬ 
closed fold could be attached to the shippon, it is 
astonishing what amass of manure would be scraped 
together in twelvemonths by a hard-working cottager 
—“ The hand of the diligent malceth rich.” We 
turn now to the minor affairs of the allotment 
holder; the time has arrived when the amount of 
diligence and skill exercised during the next three 
weeks will determine the amount of prosperity of the 
ensuing winter. We will endeavour to take the 
matter in the order of culture necessary. 
Preparation of Soil. —At page 292, we adverted 
to this; wo now repeat, “ be not afraid of a little 
extra labour.” The weather has been so unusually 
fair, and so very dry, that land which has had a due 
share of attention, will be in better order than has 
been known for some years. 
Manuring. —Let every plot or bed be at once ap¬ 
portioned, if not hitherto done, in the most decided 
way; and let the proper amount of manure necessary, 
be decided ou in a sensible manner. There are those 
who apply the same amount to every crop, and in the 
same way. If they are ignorant, we hope by our 
paper to enlighten them ; if they are indifferent, they 
do not deserve so great a boon as a nice garden. In 
determining the quantity and also the quality of the 
manure necessary for any given plot or crop, it is 
proper to note the effect required; whether pro¬ 
spective or immediate. At page 292, we remarked 
on this head, under the section “breaking-up ground 
for allotments.” We beg our readers to refer to that 
portion. It is there shown that as to “ rest land ” 
about to be converted into ground or root crops, 
especially the latter, the young plant requires to be 
coaxed in its earlier stages, if a full crop is expected. 
We would therefore advise the allotment holder, 
who, through provident habits, has a few extra 
shillings and some extent of ground, to purchase a 
little real Peruvian Guano ; than which- nothing 
will be found more suitable to the purpose in hand. 
Now, as this guano is expensive, it behoves the allot¬ 
ment man to mind how he lays his cash out for it; 
for the majority of guanos hitherto in the market, 
show an amount of adulteration which would make 
the vendors blush, were it not that they had become 
exceedingly callous to those feelings, which we trust 
still cling to humanity in general. We have not 
space here to quote the pith of a lecture on guanos, by 
Professor Way, delivered at the Meeting of the Royal 
Agricultural Society of England, at their house in 
Hanover-square, London, on February 27th. We 
can merely say, that the adulteration is immense; 
and that unless our allotment readers can get some 
upright and kind friend to purchase their modicum of 
this precious article from a first-rate source, such as 
Gibbs and Co., they had better be content with 
the soot of their chimney, and such other homely 
material as they can scrape together. Of the latter, 
we may name the old rotten material from the wood- 
pile, old tan, old decayed leaves, fowl manure, very 
old manures, gone almost to a powder, mellow 
ditchings if not clayey, pond mud dried, &c., &c. 
Any or all of these things are good to mix with soot, 
guano, or any other concentrated or caustic manure, 
not only as increasing its bulk, but in order to sub¬ 
due that too sudden and sometimes prejudicial effect, 
which such highly concentrated matters are apt to 
create, and which although ultimately of immense 
benefit, are but too apt to engender a vast amount of 
prejudice against their application. 
Parsnips. —Sown of course; if not, let them be put 
in immediately. A loamy soil preferable; deep 
digging with manure in the bottom of the trench 
the best policy. Kind—the large Hollow-crowned 
Guernsey. 
Carrots. —Let the principal crop be sown from 
the tenth to the twenty-fourth of April. Soil—deeply 
dug and friable. Manure, if any, at the bottom of the 
trench. The young plant “ coaxed ” as before sug¬ 
gested, by scattering those mixed materials in the 
drills. We still advise occasional sowings of the Early 
Horn carrots, either in beds or drills. Plenty advice 
will be found in our back Allotment Papers. 
Turnips. —The swedes, if sown to remain, should 
be got in about the middle of the month; the ground 
should above all things be well worked, and by all 
means let some stimulating manure be put in the 
chills. This is one of the most material points in 
swede culture, for wo have known crops secured, side 
by side with others which have totally missed, by 
these means. Rapid growth is the best chance 
against the fly. A little Peruvian guano, and some 
soot, mixed with any old vegetable soil, or very old 
and mellow manure, will be found excellent. A seed¬ 
bed must not bo sown until the beginning of May : 
