104 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. [June 26. 
at least six inches from each plant foi if driven in close, 
they would injure the roots, and, perhaps, even wound 
the'bulbs. Tie the plants to the stakes early, to prevent 
the winds from shaking them. Do not tie them too 
tight, as the stems swell quickly, and would soon be cut 
with the tie. Should any branches appear below the 
leading shoots, they should be cut off close to the stem, 
| to strengthen the main shoot. 
Water. —This necessary element, should the weather 
prove dry, should be given abundantly, even in this 
early season. 
Mulching. —To render this watering more effectual, 
cover the ground all round each plant with short littery 
dung. This prevents the moisture from evaporating so 
soon as it otherwise would do; previous to laying it on, 
stir the surface with a short tliree-pronged fork, which will 
open the soil, and allow the rains to wash down the nu¬ 
tritive juices of the dung to the roots 
Insects must be diligently looked after, and destroyed, 
or they will have no mercy upon the Dahlia, even 
though it he a half-guinea one. In new ground, there 
is generally more than enough of a tough brown grub, 
about one inch long. They burrow just within the soil, 
and high cultivation renders the Dahlia, and other 
florists’ flowers, peculiarly their prey, for if the ground 
were allowed to be covered with weeds, the grubs would 
feed partly upon them, as well as the choicest flowers, and 
| it follows as a natural consequence that, if the natural 
! food is extirpated, they are the more likely to find out 
the stems of our favourite and costly flowers to feed 
upon, when there is no other food left for them. These 
enemies may he feeding even when we see the plants 
before us in apparently good flourishing condition ; let 
them alone, even for a day and a night, and the stem 
will be eaten through, and our hopes defeated for 
the season. The only remedy is to search the soil 
round the stems, for this destructive pest, and when 
found, let it be destroyed. No application that would 
not injure the plant has been discovered, that will kill 
' them. We have actually covered them with quick lime, 
which seemed to have no more effect than as much 
common earth. Happy is the man who has his garden 
clear of them ! The next destructive reptiles are the 
white and brown slug. These may be summarily dis¬ 
posed of by watering with clean lime-water. And the 
green fly sometimes, in long-continued dry weather, 
settles upon the under side of the leaves and the tops 
of the young shoots, and makes sad havoc, turning the 
leaves green, and causing them to curl up on the edges. 
As soon as they are perceived, no time must he lost in 
applying the remedy, which is tobacco water. The 
leaves must be washed with a sponge dipped in the 
water, and the tops should be syringed with it. Lastly: 
The earwig makes its appearance, and is almost as diffi¬ 
cult to be got lid of, as the grub at the root. Traps 
made of bean-stalks and pots, with a little hay or moss 
at the bottom, are good for the purpose, the first should 
be tied to the stems, and the latter placed upside down 
upon the stalks. These should be examined early every 
morning, and the insects shaken into a vessel containing 
hot water. When the flowers begin to open, it is a good 
plan to go out after dark with a light, and then the 
insects will be found feeding, and are easily caught and 
destroyed. 
Cuttings may yet be put in ; the side shoots, when cut 
off to strengthen the main stem, make excellent cuttings. 
Put them in in the usual way, round the edge of a five- 
inch pot, placing them in heat. As soon as they are 
rooted, pot them off into three-inch pots, and replace 
them in the frame, and when new roots are formed, 
gradually harden them off to bear the open air. They 
may then be plunged in coal ashes in some corner of 
the garden, and allowed to remain in the pots through 
the winter. These often survive the winter, when the 
old thick gross roots perish. T. Appleby. 
THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. 
R outine Work. —Make another sowing of Cauliflower 
and Cape Brocoli, and continue to plant out in succes¬ 
sion the plants that are ready. Attend to the early 
Celery in due season, and encourage a luxuriant growth 
by the application of liquid-manure. Earth up and blanch 
a portion, and get out full crops on a good preparation, 
as previously advised, for autumn and winter use. Give 
every encouragement to the growth of Carcloons, the 
newly-planted Globe Artichohes, Rhubarb , and Sea-lade, 
by frequent surface-stirring (crown-thinning the latter), 
and by occasional soakings of liquid-manure. Pull away 
the small, weak shoots from the Jerusalem Artichohes, 
keeping a deep, loose surface, of which no plant is 
fonder, about them; and they will well repay all extra 
labour by a bountiful produce. Dwarf Beans and Run¬ 
ners should again be planted, as well as Windsor or 
Garden Beans of some kind; late varieties of the Dwarf 
Pea may still be sown. See, also, that the spring-sown 
Parsley is properly thinned ; and all that is not inclined 
to be very curled, take out, selecting only the very 
best for a standing crop; make another sowing, too, in 
drills. 
Herbs of all kinds should now be watched, allowing 
them to get well into bloom, and cutting them only 
when quite dry, to be preserved for winter purposes; they 
should be dried in a nice airy loft or room, and they will 
then maintain their natural colour. As soon as they are 
dry enough to be stored, put them into paper-bags, and 
tie close, which is the means of preserving both colour 
and flavour, and preventing any mildew arising from 
damp, or any injury from dust. 
Frames. — Cucumbers, which have been some time in 
bearing, should have the old vine cut back, and the 
young encouraged and layered, and a quantity of fresh 
earth placed amongst them or about the surface. Melons, 
which have had the crop cleared, should at once be put in j 
order, cleared of the old, naked vine, and the young vine 
encouraged by liberal soakings of liquid-manure. They 
should be stored in due season, be sprinkled down in 
good time, and shut up in the afternoon. As soon as 
sufficient fruit shows, set as many as possible about the 
same day, and encourage a quick swelling, as previously | 
recommended. James Barnes. 
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 
OUR VILLAGERS. 
By the Authoress of “ My Flowers," dtc. 
It is very refreshing to turn from human nature in its 
darker garb, and see it in some of its happier moods and 
forms. When we look round for subjects from which to 
draw profitable lessons, we are surprised to find, in how 
many cases evil, and not good, is seen ; but sometimes we 
are able to rejoice in a picture of peace and pleasantness 
that cheers us on our way. How delightful it is to see 
brethren, not only doing well and industriously in their 
worldly affairs, but “ dwelling together in unity.” 
Farmers ought to be extremely interesting members of a 
