COUNTRY GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION. 
September 4. 
constantly bestowed, without ever expecting the weeds 
will die or cease to spring. 
In young woods of small extent the hoe welt used is 
the best preventive of weeds; but in woods of several 
hundred acres in extent the expence of keeping the 
ground under the hoe would be very serious. All that 
in such a case is necessary, is to cut down the weeds 
twice a year, with a small scythe (never allowing them 
to seed), the first cutting towards the end of May, and 
the second about now. The weeds may be allowed to 
lie on the ground and there decay, which will add to 
the fertility of the ground, and, consequently, the growth 
of the trees. Should grass abound in amongst the trees 
it might be raked up and given to cattle to eat, which 
would help to clear the expence of cutting it. I know 
some proprietors of woods who are liberal enough to 
allow the cottagers on their estates to cut the grass 
from amongst the young trees, which helps to feed a cow 
or two,'and a pig, and perhaps an ass—all useful animals; 
aud I should be the last man in the world to curtail or 
advise the doing away with such a practice, providing 
! the cottager would take care not to injure the young 
trees, and also to cut down the weeds as well as the 
grass. The forester should have strict orders to see 
that no injury is done to the trees, either by wounding 
their steins, or breaking their branches, or injuring the 
fences. Indeed, whether the labourer cuts the grass 
and weeds growing in young woods as a favour, for his 
own use, or is paid for the labour, he ought to be always 
careful not to cut the stems of the young forest trees. 
Perhaps it may be thought, that if the trees are planted 
thickly enough they will soon grow up, and by their 
shade choke the weeds themselves, and thus save even 
the slight labour of cutting them down twice a year. 
This is mistaken economy. The trees may exist, at 
least some of them, but great numbers will be choked 
. aud die, and such as may struggle through will be 
so weakened and lanky, that the prospect of any of 
them ever making timber-trees is very remote indeed. 
I have seen many cases of both modes of management, 
and the difference was really astonishing. One planta¬ 
tion, left to nature, had been thickly planted seven years 
before I saw it; here and there a Eir or a Beech had 
struggled through, but for one that had risen above the 
weeds, I speak within bounds when I state that ten 
had perished. Thorns, Brambles, Thistles, Burdocks, 
and other weeds had obtained the mastery, and were, 
by the agency of the winds, scattering their seeds all 
over the neighbouring fields. The owner deserved to 
be indicted for the injury done to the adjoining lands. 
Another case presents itself to my memory, where the 
weeds were cut down annually. The trees had been 
planted the same time (seven years) ; the ground had 
never been hoed, but the weeds were so kept down that 
the trees had soon grown above them. Very few blanks 
were visible, and the trees averaged from niue to ten feet 
high, and had been thinned twice; the trees cut down 
made good stakes and rods for various purposes, yielding 
as much profit as paid for all the labour bestowed. 
For obvious reasons, I shall not mention the places 
where these two conclusive effects of neglect and care 
are exhibited; sufficient it is to state, that the two 
plantations have repeatedly come under my observation, 
and I pledge my veracity that I have not overstated the 
difference. What do these two cases prove? That the 
earth is a grateful mother, and will repay every atom of 
labour bestowed upon it. Whoever has young planta¬ 
tions in a neglected state, let him try a few acres as an 
experiment, by cutting down the weeds. I do not fear 
the result will induce him to extend the experiment all 
over his plantations. T. Appleby. 
411 
VEGETABLES FOR WINTER AND EARLY 
SPRING. 
“ A correspondent,” whose case may possibly re¬ 
semble many others, asks, “ What vegetables are pro¬ 
curable in the winter and early spring months from a 
good-sized kitchen-garden ? and when these vegetables 
have to be sown, or planted?” Now, this is a straight¬ 
forward question, aud one likely to meet the case of 
many a cultivator; in fact, I might say all; for we all 
strive to obtain the greatest amount of produce at the 
time above-mentioned; aud the most skilful is usually 
the most successful in that way, except in those cases 
where some natural barrier presents itself in the way of 
attaining that result; but as our correspondent asks for 
information relative to the sowing and planting of such 
things as come into use at that period, a few notes on 
the most common modes whereby this is accomplished 
will probably meet his case; and although the usual 
modes of cultivating them will be found in some of the 
back pages of this work, a few notes on each will pro¬ 
bably refresh the memory of the reader; at the 6ame 
time, it is fully understood that only the most common 
things will be dwelt upon. 
Artichokes (Jerusalem). —This tuber requires but 
little management; and if some skilful Soyer could hit 
upon a cheap and easy way of cooking it, so as to make 
it agreeable to the great mass of English people, its pro¬ 
lific powers would become exceedingly useful, as it will 
grow on almost any soil, but it thrives best on one not 
too dry. Tubers planted a yard, apart, in March, will 
produce an excellent crop, fit for use from August until 
the following April or May. They also keep as well in 
the ground as anyway; only in severe weather, or rather 
before it sets in, it would be prudent to take up a few for 
use, which store away in sand in some cool place. 
Asparagus. —This well-known favourite has been so 
often the subject of remark, that nothing further is 
necessary here, save that the amateur, who has only a 
limited space at his command, ought not to attempt its 
forcing, as it destroys the plants for the time being; but 
if he has plants at command, there is nothing more 
easy to force. A few plants taken up carefully, aud 
! placed upon a moderate warm dung-bed, aud covered 
! over with fine earth, will speedily start and grow; and 
I all that is required is now and then a watering with 
liquid-manure, not that there is much danger of the 
beds getting dry at Christmas, but that a little enriching 
matter will be serviceable to the crop. Beds intended 
for spring use, in a natural way require only a little 
covering of litter in winter; but more particulars re¬ 
lating to the management of this crop will be forthcoming 
shortly. 
Beans (Dwarf Kidney). —For winter aud early spring 
use this is decidedly an article which requires careful 
management, for, being a tropical annual, its well-being, 
during the dark, sunless days of an English winter, is 
solely due to the skilful management it is subjected to; 
and as the amateur may not be in possession of all the 
means necessary to have this production at his table in 
mid-winter, we would advise him not to begin his culture 
of it until then, and about the middle of January sow 
his seeds rather thickly in a pan, in a warm place; 
but as soon as the plants appear, remove the seed- 
pan close to the glass, where it will be both dry and 
light, as a damp, moist atmosphere, however genial it 
may be at another season, is fatal to the French Bean in 
the dark days. After being there a few days, they will 
want planting-out into pots holding about a gallon of 
earth each, four plants being ample; but this also will 
be noticed in due time. 
Brocoli. —This useful vegetable may be had during 
all mild winters without any extraordinary care, save 
that of selecting the best kinds at sowing time; but in 
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