100 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, December 14, 1858. 
and Mr. Smith takes the superintendence of the whole. 
These foremen are appointed, not by Mr. Smith, but by 
the Director. Let us see what was the “ valuable assist¬ 
ance ” Mr. Smith had in the Orchid department. We are 
told that “ ‘ a practical gardener,’ bringing with him the 
highest character for skill,” and so on, after being “ put 
in uncontrolled charge of the department two years ago,” 
had to be discharged because “ the collection of Orchids 
became worse than ever under his management.” So it was 
not Mr. Smith, after all, who killed the Orchids, but the 
“ ‘practical gardener’ of the highest character for skill,” 
and who had “ the uncontrolled charge of the department.” 
Another foreman is appointed, who knows his business 
better than his predecessor, “ and the plants are un¬ 
doubtedly looking better than they did.” From which 
we infer, that if Mr. Smith had not been so unfortunate 
as to have the “ ‘ practical gardener ’ of the highest cha¬ 
racter for skill and uncontrolled charge ” muddling 
among his plants for two whole years, we should, in 
all probability, have seen the collection of Orchids as 
extensive and as luxuriant as it was a few years ago, 
when we used to admire it in the house now occupied with 
the Ferns. The fact is, and it is notorious, that, during 
the time that the “ ‘ practical gardener’ of the highest 
character,” &c., was destroying the plants, Mr. Smith, 
time after time, remonstrated against the treatment 
pursued, and represented that nothing but failure would 
follow. However, the worthy had “ uncontrolled charge,” 
and he was allowed to have his way till it was too late, 
and then he was “ removed.” 
The whole affair is a very pitiable instance of the 
extent to which ill nature and want of discretion lead 
some men; and we can but feel very sorry for him who, 
by writing such a notice, has made but a sorry figure of 
himself. We leave him in the hands of the practical 
gardeners, who, we doubt not, will treat him and his 
essay as they deserve. 
GARDENING OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK. 
KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Advantage should be taken of frosty mornings, to get 
manure wheeled into the quarters where it is wanted. 
All primings of bush-fruit, shrubs, edgings of walks, and 
other such refuse, that is slow in the process of decom¬ 
position, to be collected into a heap and charred, when 
it will make an excellent dressing for land that has been 
long cropped with vegetables. 
Asparagus. —If a succession is required, dung, or dung 
and leaves, should be prepared for another bed. 
Cabbage.— Earth up while the weather is favourable 
for the purpose. 
Cakbots. —Sow seed on a slight hotbed, if young ones 
are wanted very early. 
Cauliflowers.— Stir the surface of the soil amongst 
the plants, in frames, or under handlights, and sprinkle 
some dry, dusty soil amongst them, to prevent the green 
growth on its surface, which stagnant air, at this season, 
is apt to produce. 
Peas and Beans. —If frost should appear likely to set 
in severely, draw a ridge of mould over those that are 
up, with a coat of clean sand over that, as a protection 
from the inclemency of the weather and from slugs. 
Rhubarb and Sea-kale. —Keep a supply, as advised 
in preceding weeks. 
Spinach. —When gathering, each leaf ought to be re¬ 
moved separately, as by grasping a handful, or even three 
or four leaves, at a time, the young and immature ones 
are frequently so torn, or bruised, as to prevent their 
further progress. 
ERUIT GARDEN. 
Continue to root-prune, where necessary, that a proper 
' equilibrium may be established between the roots and 
j branches, as the over-luxuriance of the branches will be 
counteracted by cutting the large roots. The winter 
pruning, after a careful system of summer management, 
will be merely confined to the removal of bits of dead 
wood, or the topping of branches. The nailing of wall, 
and the tying of espalier trees, to be finished as soon as 
possible, in favourable weather, to allow more time in the 
seed-sowing and busy months of spring. 
Orchard Trees.— Prune, opening out the centre of 
each tree for the more free admission of light and air, 
cutting out all branches that cross the others, and all 
dead wood. When pruning, cut close and clean ; and, if 
necessary, cut off large branches of trees that had been 
neglected for years (which it would have been much 
better to have avoided by timely attention). A coat of 
J thick paint, brushed over the wounds, will exclude wet, 
i and help to prevent their decay before the wounds get 
| healed over. 
ELOWER GARDEN. 
Auriculas, Carnations, &c.—These plants, and other 
such florists’ flowers, in pots, will require to be kept 
secure in very severe weather ; but at all other times 
allow them to be fully exposed to the influence of the 
weather, to grow stiff and strong, and be thus enabled 
to withstand the vicissitudes of ordinary weather. As 
they are more apt to suffer from cold, cutting winds, than 
from a few degrees of frost, shelter or protection is then 
indispensable. 
Fuchsias.— Cut down, and mulch over with short litter, 
any that are left in the beds or borders. If it is con¬ 
sidered desirable to preserve any large specimens with 
.their tops on, a circle should be formed with stakes stuck 
in the ground, tied together at the top, and covered with a 
mat; the interior being loosely stuffed with clean straw, 
or dry Ferns, &c., will be a sufficient protection. It will 
be well to pluck off the leaves, if any are on after the late 
frosts, as they encourage mouldinesss. 
Pits and Frames. —Give the plants a free circulation 
of air every clear, mild day, which will be of great 
service to them, after the dull, damp weather that we 
have lately experienced. Provide a quantity of dry 
litter, to be in readiness to place around them when severe 
weather sets in. It is also of great importance to keep 
the plants free from dead leaves, withered flower-stalks, 
weeds, and everything that would tend to produce damp 
and mouldiness. Any sort of which there is a short 
supply to propagate from, should be placed in growing 
quarters, kept near the glass, and free from insects, 
mildew, &c.; as soft-wooded plants, in heat, are very 
subject to the attacks of insects, which are more apt to 
injure them at this, than at any other season. 
Shrubbery. —The principal and choice plants in this 
department should be allowed sufficient space to display 
their natural habits or characters. Every tree, shrub, 
or plant, from the largest to the smallest, should have 
sufficient room to develop its natural form, without in¬ 
terfering with its neighbours. William Keane, 
MR, SALTER’S VERSAILLES NURSERY, 
HAMMERSMITH. 
A reason for anything, out of the common run, ex¬ 
plains the thing better than a rule for doing it, or finding 
it out. If this had been a leap year, I might urge that 
for breaking my ©wn rule of seeing the new Chrysan- 
