March 28, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
265 
The Kitchen Garden. 
Leeks.— To ensure tine specimens of Leeks suitable for ex¬ 
hibition during early autumn the plants should now be well 
established in 60-sized pots, and when well rooted should be 
potted on into 5 in. and 6 in. sizes-. Prepare a light-, porous 
compost of three parts light fibrous loam, one part- leaf soil, 
and one-part finely-sifted horse-droppings, adding sufficient roa-d 
cult and finely-broken old mortar rubble to ensure the water 
passing away freely. Thoroughly mix and warm to- the tem¬ 
perature of the structure in which the plants are growing ; the 
pots should be sufficiently drained, and pot moderately firm. 
Arrange the plants as near the glass- a-s- possible, and care 
should be taken not to over-water, but syringe with tepid water 
frequently, and once a w r eek shorten back the tops with a 
sharp knife slightly, which will assist the plants- to make a. 
stout, sturdy growth. Later sowings- should be pricked off into 
boxes and grown on under glass. These, if properly managed, 
ought to make good Leeks by November. One more sowing 
may yet be made either in boxes or on a, warm border, which 
will prove to be very serviceable for spring use. 
Peas,—Those which are being brought- forward under glass 
either in pots or boxes, or are planted out, should be aired 
freely on all occasions, and as soon as a reasonable amount- of 
blooms are set the points should be picked out and the growths 
supported as they require it, and apply a top-dressing of fibrous 
loam, old Mushroom-bed manure, and a little bone-meal, and 
syringe the tops on fine mornings and early afternoons. Con¬ 
tinue to plant out those raised under glass as- they become 
ready, stake and protect at the same tune. Make good sow¬ 
ings of mid-season varieties about every ten days on well- 
prepared ground, distribute the seed thinly and evenly, as 
nothing is gained by overcrowding, especially the improved 
large-podded kinds. Allow a distance of 7 ft. to 8 ft- between 
the rows, and drill Spinach or Radishes between them. 
Lettuce. —A regular supply of good Lettuce all through the 
spring and summer should be the aim of every gardener. 
Autumn-sowm plants and those raised early 7 under glass should 
now be planted out on warm borders 1 ft-, apart all ways. Place 
a few r finely-sifted ashes round each to prevent them being 
ravaged by snails and slugs, which are unusually abundant this 
season. Make small sowings every ten da-ys, both of Cos and 
Cabbage varieties. 
Cauliflowers. —Complete the planting of autumn-sown plants, 
and thoroughly harden all which have been raised and pricked 
off under glass this spring. When planting, choose a site 
which is warm and sheltered. Continue to prick out succes- 
sional sowings in frames. Time will be well spent in mixing 
up a little fine diy porous soil, to give the seedlings a start. 
Make another sowing on a warm border of Autumn Giant, 
iMagnum Bonum and Walcheren. Sow thinly broadcast, 
thoroughly protect against- birds, and. these will need no prick¬ 
ing off. 
Cabbage. —This crop has come through the winter splendidly, 
and is now practically safe. Keep the surface soil well stirred 
with the draw-hoe, and remove any which show a tendency to 
irun to flower, and fill up all vacancies from the reserve 1 bed. 
Potatos. —Though full early to get in the main crop, 
advantage should be taken when the ground is in good work¬ 
ing order to plant in sheltered positions on cold, heavy land. 
The sets will derive much benefit if covered with some good 
[leaf soil or old Mushroom-bed manure, and plant fairly deep. 
Those which are laid out to sprout- ought to be now kept in a 
light cool position, so that the growth made now 7 is stout and 
sturdy, and if planted with care during the early days of April, 
these will in all probability yield better crops than if planted 
earlier. 
Sow-Brussels Sprouts, Self-protecting, Michaelmas White and 
(Snow's Winter White Broccoli, Turnips, Radishes, Broad 
Beans, New Zealand Spinach (the latter in boxes- under glass-), 
and French Beans, either in boxes or small pots for planting 
' Jut into cold frames. E. Beckett. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
The Stove and Greenhouse. 
The Stove. —A rise in temperature commensurate with the 
lengthened and warmer days should now be accorded, that the 
plants may develop strong, healthy growth. The night tem¬ 
perature should not be less than 61 deg. or more than 68 deg. 
Arise of 5 deg. with fire-heat or 10 deg. with sun-heat may be 
given by da-y. Maintain humidity by syringing well overhead 
in the morning and early afternoon, with frequent damping of 
the paths at intervals during the day and in the evening. 
The- blinds for shading may now be- fixed up, and on bright 
days let them down for two or three hours- in the middle of 
the day. Other structures containing plants may also be 
shaded, but avoid heavy permanent shades, if possible. Where 
blinds cannot be had, then a thin wash only should be painted 
on for the early spring; as the sun gains more power a thicker 
one may be put on. 
Propagation of winter-flowering plants should be proceeded 
with, using light, sandy soil, sifted through a J-in. sieve. The 
pots must be clean and efficiently drained, and place the cut- 
ings round the sides, where they invariably strike more- quickly 
than if inserted in the centre. Begonia Gloire de Lorraine and 
its congeners, Just-icias, Plumbago rosea, Thyrsacanthus ruti- 
la-ns, Po-insettias, Euphorbias, and Eranthemums are all indis¬ 
pensable for brightening the stove during the dull winter 
months-. 
Panicum variegatum and other dwarf-growing plants of like 
character are alike useful for furnishing purposes- in the dwell¬ 
ing, and for the edgings of plant, stages in the stove. These 
strike readily at this time if the cuttings are inserted in sandy 
soil and kept shaded. Pile-a micro-phylla- is an excellent- plant 
for forming an edging in warm houses, and the ease with which 
the cuttings may be struck should commend it. 
Basket Plants. —Without these the- glasshouses have a bare 
appearance, and the present- is a. capital time- to prepare them. 
The baskets may be of wire or teak-wood, and must be lined 
with moss from the- woods, then filled with suitable soil as the 
plants are placed in them. The best subjects comprise Aspara¬ 
gus Sprengeri, Achimenes, Ferns of the Adiantum and Davallia 
types, Fuchsias and Campanula isophylla, A great variety of 
other beautiful plants not usually utilised for the purpose are- 
adaptable for this mode of culture. A good start in a- genial 
temperature are essential factors to success. 
Herbaceous Calceolarias.- —For adorning the conservatory 
these are very useful, and are worthy of the- popularity they 
enjoyed a decade or two- ago-. If not already done, no time 
should be lost in shifting the- plants- on into their flowering po-ts 
(usually 8 in.). Keep a- sharp look out for greenfly, to- which 
the-se plants are prone, and fumigate slightly to- destroy them 
before they obtain a strong hold. A compost I have- found 
to suit the plants consists of two parts good loam to- one- each 
of flaky leaf-soil and well-decayed sheep or cow manure (not too 
wet). Add sufficient sharp sand or road grit to make the whole 
porous. K. M. 
Notes on Hardy Herbaceous Plants. 
Heleniums. —There are few hardy perennials which produce 
a more pleasing effect or repay the cultivator better than a 
good selection of the Heleniums, being easily grown in almo-st 
any garden soil and remaining in bloom throughout the summer 
and autumn until frost puts an end to them. They are also 
most useful for all kinds of decoration in a cut state, being 
very suitable fc-r large or small vases, and last a. long time in 
water. As with the majority of herbaceous plants, the Helen¬ 
iums are seen to the best advantage when planted in medium¬ 
sized batches, and are rendered more vigorous if taken up 
and thoroughly divided occasionally; this can be done in 
autumn or early spring. 
Several of the varieties differ greatly in size and character, 
some being of dwarf habit, while others require ample space to 
properly develop. If sufficient- room cannot be allotted them 
in the borders, several o-f the taller-growing kinds succeed well 
