August 3. 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
331 
perature, may not have been an active agent in this 
general result ? 
The student in Natural History would not search in 
vain for examples of both animal aud vegetable life 
transferred from their own original habitat to another 
precisely similar in point of temperature, as also appa¬ 
rently in other necessary conditions, but where, never¬ 
theless, in a short space of time, infirmity, and, con¬ 
sequently, inferiority has shown itself. Present ideas, 
indeed, on this point, do not venture to advance beyond 
mere hypothesis, and it would be difficult to produce a 
case identical with that now occupying our attention; 
but the insufficiency of the causes at present alleged in 
explanation of the effect, necessarily point to some more 
universal agent, in which character, climate, not im¬ 
probably, may have a part. 
There are many poultry-keepers who are, in every 
respect, competent to express themselves, physiologically, 
on this subject, and on whose opinion great stress would 
justly bo laid, and wo hope that the public may benefit 
by their opinions, for which- purpose the columns of 
The Cottage Gardener would be readily opened. 
Reference has been here made to the Cinnamon, Buff, 
and White Shanghaes only, on account of those alone 
having been most within our close inspection during 
the past year. The darker varieties, however, have 
certainly suffered to at least an equal extent, although 
the Black may never have attained the point of ex¬ 
cellence from which a fall would have attracted notice. 
W. 
It was justly said by one well conversant with portraits, 
“ I would much rather be possessed of a good collection 
of prints of my countrymen, than of a collection of 
their mummies, though I had a pyramid for its re¬ 
pository.” We think that very few will dissent from 
this opinion, because every one would rather know what 
was the actual appearance of a celebrated personage 
than have his bones and dust wrapt up in a cere-cloth. 
A portrait is no less than a “ continuing the presence 
of the dead,” and many is the time we have wished, 
vainly wished, that we had some sifch continuance of 
Dr. Beale, Switzer, Rea, Worlidge, Meager, Loudon, 
Wise, and many others of our best gardening autho¬ 
rities ! Such a wish will be echoed by many, and if 
some effort bo not made to prevent it, those who come 
after us will have to add to the catalogue of the un- 
portraited such men as Fleming, Beaton, Bailey, 
Veitch, Fortune, Knight, Errington, and a host of 
other living worthies. We will make such an effort, 
and if we fail, it shall not be either because the en¬ 
deavour is not strenuous or the outlay not liberal. 
Shenstono also said of the unknown wife of his 
friend, “ let mo see her handwriting that I may judge of 
her character.” Thero is something in that, so wo will 
give their autographs also. 
We shall call the series Our Portrait Gallery, it 
will be accompanied by biographical notices, and we 
purpose that it shall include some of the most celebrated 
of the dead as well as of the living. It will be shortly 
commenced with a portrait of Sir Joseph Paxton. 
A FEW IMPORTANT KITCHEN-GARDEN 
MATTERS IN AUGUST. 
With those who have to cater for the wants of a 
family in the vegetable way through a long winter and 
spring, this month is most important. Celery crops, 
the Cabbage worts, Endive and other winter salads, 
Spinach, &c., demand a close attention as to sowing, 
transplanting, and a high course of culture. I, there¬ 
fore, purpose, in these remarks, to point to a few of the 
principal features of the month. As to sowing, all the 
world knows, or should do, that the middle of August is 
the very best period for sowing Cabbages to stand the 
winter. Some persons transplant, aud, indeed, it is 
most essential. In the transplanting process, of course, 
a fortnight is lost; those, therefore, who do not trans¬ 
plant, should sow nearly a fortnight later. It is very 
good practice to sow in drills thinly, six inches apart, 
and to introduce dry soil between their stems in the 
beginning of October; this prevents their becoming 
crooked, leggy, and shanking. However sown, we find it 
necessary, in all cases, to dress the ground with charred 
stuff from the weed-heap; by such means there need be 
no fear of club. Endive should be sown for a full 
winter crop in the beginning of the month; and a 
little moro at the latest in the third week. Now, as I am 
not assuming to teach gardeners, I must take the 
liberty of descending to some details for the information 
of those who are desirous to learn practical matters. 
Endive loves very rich soil; indeed it is, compara¬ 
tively, worthless in poor soil. It loves an immunity 
from excess of moisture. This points to the propriety 
of warm slopes and elevated beds. It requires about 
fourteen inches square to each plant, if required fine. 
Most people plant it about eleven or twelve inches ; the 
largest distance, however, for noble autumn Endive, 
will amply repay if the soil is very generous. Liquid- 
manure is highly advantageous to the plants, especially 
directly they are tied for blanching; it makes them as 
plump as a good Savoy, and come fine to hand for the 
salad-bowl. The dwarf, compact, thick-hearted, green- 
curled, and the yellow, compact Batavian, are the very 
best if pure. What are called summer Endives, are 
tall, bouncing fellows, but not so well adapted for 
winter work ; they occupy much space, and here espe¬ 
cially, if to introduce to frames, mult-uni in parvo must 
be our motto. Watering in dry periods is particularly 
requisite'; and my practice is to cut the points of the 
plants with a scythe occasionally, whilst in the seed-bed 
— this renders them much thicker in the heart 
ultimately. 
Celery. —As to soiling, little and often is my maxim, 
rather than heavy layers all of a sudden, especially 
during the earlier stages. When, however, it is nearly 
full grown, I like to give it “more law”—let it grow 
rampant for a longer period without soiling, aud when 
at full stature to soil it with its full amount. Waterings 
—Liberal waterings are of vast benefit to Celery: the 
quicker it is grown, and the more liberal the soil, the 
more crisp and sweet it becomes. Most umbelliferous 
vegetables have a rank flavour in their wild state, and 
high culture alone can lessen thi8 acrid character. 
Lettuces. —The first week in August is a good time 
to sow the Bath Cos Lettuce on a warm, rich border, to 
place under cloches, or glass, in the early part of 
October. The middle of the month, in ordinary beds, 
will produce plants of this and the Hammersmith hardy 
green, well adapted to “prick out" in beds to stand 
through the winter: and the last week, on raised bods, 
