January 29. 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
275 
There are many other modes of growing, or rather 
starting, peas, than in pots or boxes, but they are all 
modifications of the same thing; we have seen the old- j 
fashioned horse-shoe-shaped drain-tiles filled with earth, 
and peas sown on them; these wore planted out with 
the ball unbroken, and so far were better than any other 
mode we know of, but the space they occupy while in a 
preparatory stage is too much to be allowed them in 
eases where other objects claim equal attention; though 
the young gardener will find these tiles no bad sub¬ 
stitute for pots when put to his shifts. Another mode is 
to sow peas in narrow strips of turf turned upside-down, 
and a little mark for the seed to lie in ; this turf, which 
ought to be cut pretty thick, and all deep-rooted weeds, 
as yarrow, docks, dandelions, &c., removed, is soon 
enclasped by the roots of the peas; but it ought also 
to have been prepared some little time, so that the grass 
and other herbage be dead, or nearly so. Another evil 
attending this plan is the inconvenience of removing 
such a breakable article, the number of times it has to be 
done in the course of “ hardening oil’,” whereby much of 
its otherwise utility is lost before it arrives at its destina¬ 
tion ; this plan also labours under the disadvantages we 
have alluded to in the tiles—it takes up too much room 
in the forcing department, otherwise in many other 
respects it is good and useful. 
We need hardly say, that in this course of probation, 
the pots, boxes, &c., will require more abundant water¬ 
ings than is given to things usually in such places, 
more especially at the latter part of the time, when a 
mass of roots, and corresponding one of top, require a 
liberal support. But we will suppose all to liavo gone 
on well, and towards the middle of March they are to 
be found occupying a position against a south wall, the 
pots all clustered together, and some stakes placed 
against the wall. A mat is thrown over them at nights; 
and at their first introduction there, a few boughs, or 
some other protection, arc placed round them, to keep 
off cold winds. These being gradually removed, and 
the weather tolerably fine, preparations must be made 
to plant them out, or, rather, those preparations ought 
to have been made before, as we expect the ardent cul¬ 
tivator to have that forethought which enables him to 
foresee what is wanted, long before the time of action; 
in this case he will, therefore, have a large heap of fine 
loamy soil piled up in some open shed, which, having 
been turned several times, and being tolerably dry, affords 
a more grateful repast to the roots of the pea—when di¬ 
vested of its former food, and to a certain extent muti¬ 
lated in the operation—than the cold, ungenial moisture 
of the ground forming their future abode. We need 
hardly enter into details of planting, which are well 
known to every one; suffice it to say, that the imported 
soil alluded to, mixed with leafy-mould, or other lighten¬ 
ing substance, ought to be used freely in the row, and 
be placed in such a manner as entirely to compass the 
roots, and that they must not be planted deep—rather 
let them stand above the ordinary level, it is not 
common for the first crop to suffer from dry weather 
so much as after ones, and on such soils as we have 
been speaking of, it is not likely they will. After plant¬ 
ing, let them be immediately sticked, and all the twiggy 
pieces you can command may be stuck in at the bottom, 
so that some degree of shelter may be given against 
the blighting influences of east winds, which, at this 
season, are as much to be dreaded as the spring frosts, 
and, though more indirectly, do quite as much harm. 
Although it is at variance with the general practice 
of writers in popular journals to recommend particular 
varieties, yet, as we have in this article alluded to cases 
where unfortunate mistakes had occurred, we beg to 
say, for the benefit of our readers, that last year we 
tried the Prince Albert , the Racehorse, the Early War¬ 
wick, and Warner’s Early Emperor, all sown in one 
day, and in one place, under favourable circumstances, 
and the result proved the Emperor to be the earliest 
by five or six days ; next to that the Prince Albert, but 
still at a marked difference. Now, though we have 
not abandoned that taste for trying novelties, we admit 
the issue of the trial alluded to has occasioned our dis¬ 
missing all but the winning ones in that list, but their 
places are occupied by other kinds, or, at least, by kinds 
bearing other names, the results of which we shall, in 
due time, impart to the readers of The Cottage Gar¬ 
dener. 
Kitchen - garden Sundries. —Whenever a vacant 
border can be had under a south wall, or close wooden 
fence, let it be turned to account for something required 
early ; and let a bank of earth be thrown against such a 
place on which to sow Lettuce, Cauliflowers, and other 
plants ; besides, Radishes do very well in such a position. 
A thatched hurdle to lean against such wall or fence, a 
few inches from this sloping bank, is also of great service 
in protecting tender and delicate objects; but where 
there are fruit trees, which is, or always ought to be, the 
case, such banks cannot there be formed, though the same 
thing may be done on a narrow border by the side of a 
wall, where they will come nearly as well. Those of our 
readers residing in early districts will have made much 
progress in such work; but as we write for all, and this 
week more especially for those denied the genial climate 
of the southern counties, we fear we must (as our space 
is occupied) request them to look to former Calendars 
for other operations now necessary, and by all means to 
take advantage of frosty mornings to turn over, and 
well pulverize, the ground intended for Carrots, Onions, 
and other seed crops, so that it may be in good working 
order when wanted. J. Robson. 
FEATHERING OUR NESTS. 
By the Authoress of “My Flowers.'' etc. 
There is a kind of dishonesty in the world which people 
do not generally call theft, it is described in a few words, 
which every one understands and is accustomed to—“ Fea¬ 
thering our nest.” A man who would he extremely shocked 
at the simple idea of breaking into his neighbour’s house, 
or stopping him in the dark and taking his purse, or slipping 
a silver fork or spoon into his pocket when his neighbour’s 
hack was turned,—a man who would shudder at doing these 
things will, if employed by this very neighbour, or master, 
feather his own nest, and think nothing of it. Now, in the 
sight of God this man is thieving. Let us lay it to all our 
hearts, for every one of us may have opportunity to act 
justly or unjustly in the course of our lives, although 
perhaps we may not be hired servants, or men working for 
wages. We may all be placed in situations of temptation 
some time or other, and some of us may be persons em¬ 
ployed and trusted by our fellow-men, and, like Joseph, we 
may be rulers over all. Now, to our heavenly master we 
stand or fall, and not only to our earthly one; he may see 
nothing, hear nothing, know nothing; we may feather our 
nests in peace, and none may gainsay it. But there is one 
who hateth the bag of deceitful weights, and to whom a false 
balance is an abomination. Oh ! let us strictly watch our¬ 
selves, lest He see evil in us. We cannot escape from 
His eye. 
I remember, many years ago, the death of a man who had 
“ feathered his nest ” in the service of a kind and liberal 
mistress ; and I will place before my readers a few circum¬ 
stances that may instruct and benefit us all. 
George Watkins rented alarm on the estate of a lady of 
large fortune, who knew nothing of country matters, and 
trusted her tenants would do right by her. Watkins’ house 
stood very near the mansion, and the other tenant’s farm 
was at no great distance. Both these men feathered their 
nests; one of them died and left it all behind, but George 
Watkins had more to suffer. 
Every one knew that he imposed upon his kind mistress 
in a thousand ways. This and that was required, such and 
