190 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOG1ST. 
[ August, 
vegetation. There is one question which I should like to ask any traveller who 
delights in plant culture, and who may have visited the north-western districts 
of Africa, viz., Draha, or the region of Beled-el-Jereed, the land of dates—where, 
at the foot of gently inclined plains, the few rivers which abound are strongly 
impregnated with salt, and have large groves of date palms, the solitary useful plant 
of the district, planted along their banks. This question is : Does the Oleander 
grow in the immediate vicinity of any of these salt streams ? If so, we may draw the 
inference that saline particles may not be an objectionable adjunct to its food. 
Evidently, according to the facts stated, the date palm is capable of receiving aid 
by the addition of a little salt added to the water which is afforded it, or in 
admixture with the soil in which it grows. Anyhow, the facts adduced by such 
old travellers as Jackson, Shaw, and Lieutenant Washington, are worthy of some¬ 
thing more than a superficial glance by us who stay at home, and reap the fruits 
of their arduous labours and researches.— William Earley, Valentines . 
KITCHEN GARDENING FOR AUGUST. 
^fHE heavy rains and the close warm weather of the past month have been 
favourable to the growth of Vegetables , and have obviated the necessity of 
watering transplanted crops. Weeds, too, have grown so rapidly, that it 
has been rather a difficult matter to keep them down, owing to the wet 
state of the soil; take full advantage of dry weather to destroy them. Keep the hoe 
constantly at work between Savoys , Brussels Sprouts , Broccoli , Borecole , and all 
other advancing crops of Greens , and draw some earth to their stems when they 
are sufficiently advanced. Clear away the early Cauliflowers , Peas , Beans , &c., 
as soon as they are past, and prepare the ground for winter crops. At the 
beginning of the month sow a large breadth of Prickly Spinach for the main 
winter supply ; also some Tripoli Onions for spring use, and Turnips of an early 
sort to bulb soon. Sow some Lettuces to stand over the winter; Brown Cos, 
Brown Dutch, and Hammersmith Hardy Green are hardy sorts. Sow Cauli¬ 
flowers about the 12th, and again about the 22nd—a day sooner or later will 
make but little difference, but see that the ground is in a fit condition when it 
is done. Plant out the main crop of Winter Coleworts about one foot apart in 
well-manured ground. Continue to plant out successions of Lettuces and Endive 
on dry, warm borders, and to earth up Celery as it becomes fit; the heavy rains 
of last month have been very favourable to its growth. Take up all the early 
Potatos when fit and dry, and store them away; the crop up to the present time 
is tolerably free from disease here. Shallots and Garlic should now be taken up, 
dried, tied up in bunches, and hung up in some dry, airy place. Attend to the 
Onion crop; when the leaves begin to turn yellow the stems should be laid close 
to the ground, bending the neck about two or three inches from the ground ; 
the thick-necked ones should be carefully twisted before they are bent, otherwise 
they are apt to snap off; as soon as the thin-necked ones appear fit, they should 
be drawn and turned root upwards to dry ; if left in ground after this, and wet 
