290 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
April 4, ]S03. 
WORK OF THE WEEK. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
Onion3, Autumn Sown. —Complete the planting of these on 
well-prepared ground as speedily as possible. These always 
make much more satisfactory bulbs when sown on ground 
which is not too rich during autumn, and transferred to that 
which has been heavily manured and deeply worked during 
winter or spring; but prior to doing so fork over the ground 
and rake down finely during dry days. Lift carefully with a 
small hand-fork and plant with a. trowel 1 ft. apart all ways 
when extra large Onions are required, but 9 in. or 10 in. from 
plant to plant will suffice when only required for ordinary use. 
Make the plants thoroughly firm and mulch between with sifted 
horse droppings, such as old Mushroom-bed manure. 
Spring-sown plants ought by now to have made good pro¬ 
gress, and should be gradually hardened ready for planting 
about the 10th of the month, if the weather is favourable ; but 
it is of the utmost importance, if the best results are to follow, 
that no serious check be allowed to impede their progress from 
now onwards, such as planting them in the open before they 
become thoroughly acclimatised to the open weather ; and, pro¬ 
viding the plants are not allowed to suffer for want of attention 
when in the boxes by letting them become drawn, or for want 
of water, no harm will happen to them if not planted for 
another three weeks ; but if well rooted, a little weak manure 
water and a slight dressing of soot* will assist to strengthen 
them considerably. Lose no time in preparing the ground, so 
that everything is in readiness when a favourable opportunity 
occurs. Give a good dressing of soot and wood ashes, point 
over the surface, and rake down finely. 
Carrots. —The main sowing of this crop should now be got 
in, the New Intermediate type being the best and most ser¬ 
viceable for this sowing, and when extra good specimens are 
required it will be necessary to bore deep holes on most soils 
and fill in with finely-sifted soil, nothing being better for the 
purpose than old potting soil, to which add a little fresh soot 
and wood ashes. Use in a moderately dry condition, and make 
fairly firm ; place a few seeds in the centre of the hole, which 
should be thinned to one as soon as large enough. Pay strict 
attention to those under glass, give a dusting of soot occa¬ 
sionally, thin out as they become large enough, stir up the 
soil between them, syringe twice daily, and, after the thinning 
is completed, mulch between the rows with finely-sifted old 
Mushroom-bed manure. 
Winter Greens. —Two sowings at least should be made, one' at 
the beginning and one at the end of the month, which will 
include Borecoles, Savoys, Broccoli, and Cauliflowers. I much 
prefer sowing thinly broadcast in beds rather than in rows, as 
by so doing there will be no need for pricking off, which means 
a considerable saving of labour. Give a good surface dressing 
of burnt garden refuse, and net securely against birds. The 
greenfinch has a particular liking for these seeds, and will 
quicklj clear the bed if left unprotected. 
Turnips.- —Sow small quantities every ten days of early 
Milan and Snowball, and ply the Dutch hoe between the early 
crops. Air freely tho-se growing under glass, allow plenty of 
room between the plants, dust- frequently with soot, stir up the 
surface soil often, and syringe morning and evening to promote 
a free, auick growth so essential for the production of hio-h-class 
roots. 
Capsicums and Chilis.— Pot and grow on in heat as fast- as 
these become ready, finally fruiting them in 5 in. and 6 in. 
pots. These, besides being useful for culinary purposes, are 
very adaptable for winter decoration. Fumigate occasionally 
to ward off attacks of green aphis- and grow them as near the 
glass as possible. : a, heated pit will suit-admirably. 
Ever be on the alert- for severe frosts, which are very likely 
to occur, and ha-ve in readiness plenty of protecting material, 
as much may be done to save the more tender subjects. 
E. Beckett. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree, 
Hardy Trees and Shrubs. 
R,ubus. —There Sire several varieties of Rubus which are 
valuable for planting in, the shrubbery, and also for massing 
in large beds in the woodland or similar places, but at present 
many of the most ornamental do- not- seem to have received 
the attention from planters that their merits entitle them to. 
Such kinds as the American Blackberry and others which yield 
edible and much appreciated fruits are fairly well known, but 
there are other varieties very desirable which produce much 
more pleasing effects, especially when the system of bo’d group¬ 
ing is practised. Providing the ground is well trenched, and 
plenty of decayed manure freely incorporated, success is 
ensured, all the varieties- mentioned below being quite hardy 
and easily grown in almost any soil. Little attention is re¬ 
quired after planting, except to keep them clean and remove 
the old stems annually during late autumn. Spring is the best 
time for planting. The most be-a.utiful of all, perhaps, are the 
double-flowered pink and white Bramble-Rubus ulmifolius flore 
pleno and R. thyrsoideus flore pleno, which produce immense 
spikes of pale ros-e and white flowers in great profusion. These 
varieties always show to the best advantage when planted on 
undulating ground, so that- the long growths can ramble about 
naturally and uninterruptedly. These are also extremely 
effective when planted at the back of large boulders or on the 
margins of lakes-, streams, etc. 
Rubus deliciosus.- —A very beautiful species, with large pure 
white flowers, and most effective when the long stems are 
allowed to ramble o-ver old roots and in similar positions. It 
also makes a splendid pillar plant or trained on a wall or 
pergola-, and should be included in every collection of hardy 
flowering plants. 
Rubus ulmifolius foliis variegatis. — One of the most beauti¬ 
ful variegated plants we have and well suited for dotting about 
in the shrubberies. Seen to the best- advantage when tied up 
loosely to- stout poles, and seldom fails to arrest the attention 
of anyone when in fruit, which it produces freely during 
autumn. 
The Logan Berry, which was raised in America, is the result 
of a- cross between a form of common Blackberry and Rasp¬ 
berry. It- is a robust grower, and, besides being very orna¬ 
mental when in fruit, is very useful for dessert, either in a 
raw state or when made into preserves. It should be planted 
in large masses and the growths trained over hoops-, so- that 
they can be kept off the ground and protected with nets when 
in fruit. 
Rubus canadensis rosea, commonly called the flowering Rasp¬ 
berry, succeeds in almost any position or an any kind of soil, 
and produces large quantities o-f showy pink flowers all through’ 
the summer and autumn. A most desirable plant to grow. 
Rubasphoenicolasius.—This species is veiy effective during 
winter, and its red fruits, which are produced freely, are much 
appreciated by many. 
Rubus laciniatus. —Unquestionably the best and most pro¬ 
lific o-f all the American Blackberries, and to- me it- is surprising 
that it is not very much nro-re largely cultivated than at present 
for market purposes, as there is no- doubt whatever, if properly 
grown on a- large- scale, that it would yield large profits. Its 
foliage during autumn assumes very pleasing tints, and is well 
adapted for the wilderness and wo-o-dland walks. 
Rubus crat-aegifolius is- very ornamental in winter, the bark 
being a pleasing red, with ornamental foliage during summer. 
Rubus leucodermis and R. biflorus, the White-washed Bram¬ 
bles, have stems presenting the appearance of being artificially 
whitened. 
By the lOtli of the present- month the cutting down and 
pruning of the various shrubs growing in masses should he: 
completed. Do not hesitate- to cut- clean to the ground with 
a- strong knife the various kinds of Willows which are grown 
for their beautiful bark ; also- Cornus sanguinea, common Snoy- 
berry, Leycest-eria formosa, Spiraea canescens, S. Douglasu. 
etc., Rhus typhina, Coluteas, and the like. Partially pru n 
Rhus Cotinus, Hydrangea paniculate grandiflora, and similar 
