1880 . ] 
SUBURBAN GARDENING. 
107 
liis grant. Moreover, we are told that 1,500 
quarto copies of his book were sold in eight 
months, showing that some leading men of the 
time took an interest in the subject. 
In our day this manuring above the collar 
would be practised by some, and sneered at by 
others, and yet both parties would place their 
productions on the exhibition tables, and it 
would require some skill to pronounce which 
was the better way of doing the work. Who¬ 
ever has planted an orchard, or has the charge 
of one, will agree with me that much watch¬ 
fulness is needed to protect the trees from their 
enemies, for when unprotected the fleet-footed 
hare will come miles to visit them in snowy 
weather, and the rabbit will chime in with the 
hare, and both will bark forest-trees as well as 
fruit-trees from sheer hunger. Last winter I 
saw miles of holly-hedges damaged by ground- 
game, and much valuable timber ringed and 
ruined. In the case of fruit-trees outside a 
walled garden, it is right to protect them from 
this and all other dangers by all reasonable 
means ; and here is the remedy, cut-and-dry, 
that effectually protected the fruit-trees of 
those days, and so improved the bark that it 
looked fresh to the eye and fruitful. I would 
fain add some remarks on ringing, for the game 
have done much in this way, but natui’e assists 
the process of getting the new bark to hide the 
defect and heal the wounds, and I need scarcely 
say, help her with some sort of salve such as 
Forsyth has pointed out. If the remedy had 
wanted the aid of a galvanic battery or the 
electric light, our men of science would have 
been “ bating the bishes,” but its merit lies 
in its being cheap, and so simple that every one 
may use it. More sensible is the careful groom, 
whom we see in livery-stables filling Avith cow- 
dung the frog of the horse’s foot, to which the 
application has been of unquestionable service. 
Alex. Forsyth, Salford. 
SUBURBAN GARDENING. 
fa-gULY.—It is an old saying among gar- 
\k deners and others that in whatsoever 
quarter the wind happens to be on 
March 21st, there it will remain for a great 
portion of the intervening time till June 21st. 
This is a piece of old-folk weather-lore, and 
may not be altogether based on the most 
correct observation ; but it is Avorthjr of note 
that the wind has remained in the north for a 
great portion of the three months betAveen 
March and June. Happily, the long-Avished- 
for rain has come at last; Nature now smiles 
benignantly, and there is hope that the de¬ 
ferred summer-time may have come in earnest. 
The blessed rain has done wonders for the 
gardener, and his heart rejoices thereat. 
Kitchen Garden. —Alas! the May frosts, 
that almost invariably happen between the 
15th and 25th of May, have done their 
treacherous work, and many a piece of Potatos, 
Runner and Dwarf Beans, Vegetable MarroAvs, 
and other tender things, have been cut off in the 
youth of their budding promise. No time 
should be lost, noAv that the rain has fallen so 
bountifully, in getting out all kind of Avinter 
stuff at the earliest moment, for they will 
soon lay hold in the soil. Celery also 
should be got into the trenches Avith all 
possible despatch; the sooner Celery can be 
got into a generous growth, the larger will be 
the reAvard of the gardener by-and-bye. We 
may now reasonably look for fine growing 
summer weather, and the gardener should be 
quick to seize on favourable opportunities to 
get his work well in hand. It is not too late 
to plant out Tomatos against walls; and the 
quicker they can be got out and induced to 
make a vigorous growth, .the better will they 
be able to resist the ravages of the disease that 
has Avorked such havoc among these plants 
during the past few years. As the plants 
make growth, the shoots should be nailed to 
the wall, and a little manure-water given at 
times. Those who are fond of Endive should 
now plant out some for autumn and winter 
use. Soav Strapleaf and Improved Snowball 
Turnips ; and if there is ground to spare, a few 
dAvarf French Beans for succession. In all 
cases Avhere Scarlet Banner Beans are groAvn 
without the aid of sticks, the tops should be 
pinched out to keep the plants dwarf, and 
cause them to put forth lateral growths. A 
few Leeks may be put out in a well-manured 
and deeply-dug bed, placing them about a foot 
apart each way. Another sowing of Lettuce , 
Radishes , and of Mustard and Cress can be 
made. The Broad-leaved Cress is Avell worth 
growing for salads. 
The hoe should be kept constantly going, 
for the purpose of keeping weeds under, and 
loosening the soil about growing crops. Last 
year it was almost impossible to keep the 
kitchen garden in anything like good condition ; 
this season things should be different, but a 
great deal depends on beginning AA T ell. 
Fruit Garden. —On the Avliole, we think there 
are better crops of hardy fruits generally than 
Avas at one time supposed. The blight has laid 
hold of many trees, and we are sorry to see 
the American Blight is making head amongst 
the Apple-trees, but a weak mixture of 
paraffin and water, carefully applied, Avill do 
much to keep the last-named pest within 
bounds. Those who force Straivberries should 
begin to layer some of the strongest runners, 
and whether the plants be required for pots or 
for planting-out in beds, it is well to begin 
