1002 THE GARDENING WORLD . December 5, 1903. 
WORK OF THE WEEK. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
On the whole the weather has been most favourable during 
the past month, and much of the work which was sadly in 
arrears owing to the continuous rains has been brought for¬ 
ward. Had severe frosts set in, as is often the case, irreparable 
damage to many of the growing crops must have followed, and 
the work in the open will now, to a very great extent, have 
to be guided by what is in store for us; but the chief aim 
should be to clear the ground of all weeds, leaves, and crops 
which are of no more use, and either burn or trench them in 
well at the bottom. Always bear in mind that burnt garden 
refuse makes excellent material for spreading over newly 
trenched ground. Take advantage of all frosty weather for 
wheeling purposes, which can then be accomplished with much 
more ease and comfort, without cutting up the walks, etc., 
and making a mess. Attend to getting ready the various 
heaps of compost which will be required later on, stacking each 
in tidy heaps in the yard set apart for such. A good stack of 
Pea and Bean sticks should be looked after at this season, thus 
saving much trouble and valuable time when the work presses 
hard upon us. During wet days look over the various root 
stores and make all safe against severe weather. Parsnips are 
always much the best when lifted and cooked from the ground, 
but during midwinter a few should be taken up and placed in 
soil under cover in case of severe frosts. 
Jerusalem Artichokes. — If these have not already been 
lifted, do so at once, pitting all the largest and most shapely, 
and the smaller sets may be replanted after the ground has 
been, well manured and trenched ; by so doing, Artichokes may 
be cultivated on the same, site for many years. 
Underground or Potato Onions, a,s they are sometimes called, 
should now be planted in rows 14 in. apart all ways. These 
often prove very serviceable when other Onions fail. 
Potatos. —Where very early new Potatos have to be pro¬ 
vided, place the sets in single layers, in shallow boxes or tlays 
made for the purpose near the glass in a gentle heat, and when 
the shoots, have sprouted about 1 in, in length, these may be 
planted either in heated pits or potted up into 8-in, or 10-in. 
pots. The latter is, a capital plan for the, first, crop, when 
suitable varieties' are selected. The pots should be well drained, 
a light, compost used, and till the pots about threerparts full, 
leaving room for top dressing when, the growths are above the 
rims. ° Start them gently in a temperature of about 55 deg., 
and after the growths appear afford them all the light possible. 
Three medium-sized sets should be placed in. a 10-in. pot, 
Sharpe’s, Victor and May Queen are both excellent kinds for 
pot culture. Carefully lay out in, single layers all the various 
kinds which are intended for planting next spring, keeping 
them a,si cool as possible, except making them proof against 
frost, or these will be found to sprout too early, and much of 
the sturedtup vitality will he lost. 
Tomatos. —Nurse along carefully the young plants which 
were sown, last month. Keep in, mind the stronger and sturdier 
the growth made now, the more satisfactory will be the aftei- 
resufts. Do not overpo-t, and on no account should too much 
water be given; allow them to become quite dry without 
fla^f'iu" before giving anv. Before using, see that it, is 
warmed to the temperature of the house, and great care should 
be exercised in moving the plants from one structure to another 
not to allow them to become chilled. Plants which are flew ei- 
ino- should be carefully fertilised each morning to ensure a 
regular set, and those which are perfecting their fruits should 
be allowed a, temperature of about 60 deg., giving a little top 
ventilation, whenever possible, and the foliage kept as dry as it, 
can, be. Fumigate frequently whenever there are any signs 
of white flv, as these increase if allowed to go unchecked at an 
alarmin* 1 ' rate and do much damage. Weak doses of manure 
water should be given every alternate watering when, the plants 
« carrying heavy crops. 
French Beans. —Make another good sowing in 7-in. pots ar 
place them in the forcing house. Those which are now frui 1 
ing must be given, plenty of heat and all the light possibh 
taking care to maintain a moist atmosphere, or red spider i 
sure to be in evidence. Thoroughly syringe the foliage o 
bright mornings and give farmyard liquid manure every othe. 
watering to those in full bearing. E. Beckett. 
Aldenham House Gardens,, Elstree, Herts. 
Notes on Hardy Plants. 
The recent frosts we have experienced will have had th 
desired effect of bringing down the leaves, and one will no- 
be able to clear up the borders so that they present a neat an 
tidy appearance. The foliage and stems of nearly all the plant 
will now have become brown and withered, and may he cu 
down without delay. This should be done with a sharp knift 
and the stems cut, as low as possible, so, that no stubbs are left 
and the rubbish can be taken away to be burnt or buried; : 
the latter, it can be placed in the bottom of a kitchen garde, 
trench in a hol§ which has been, taken out for tree-planting, o 
some similar place, where it will decay and make valuabl 
vegetable food. The stakes, if they are sound, can be tied uj 
in. bundles and stored in a, dry place for using again : but i 
they have become rotten it will be advisable to burn them fo 
making wood ashes. When, the small rubbish has been rake 
cleanly off those plants, such as, Alstroemerias and Tritomas 
which are to be wintered in the border, they, together wit 
Pliygelius capensis, and any others liable to be injured by frost 
should have some finely-sifted cinder-ashes placed over th 
surface or round the crowns, and the whole border should rt 
ceive a good top-dressing of old potting soil, sifted Mushroon 
bed manure, leaf-soil or whatever material one is able to devot 
to the purpose, as this will prove of great, value for keepin; 
the plants warm through the winter and also of service nex 
year. 
Division and Replanting. —The early days of spring ar 
considered by many to be tbe best time for accomplishing the? 
operations, but where the press of work is too great to allox 
the time being devoted at that season, it is advisable to niak 
sure of this being done at the present time so that the plant 
will be enabled to become settled before, severe frosts set ir 
The division of all plants, should be carefully done with th 
hands when possible, but a sharp, knife or spade will have t 
be used if the root, stock is hard, and then one clean cut shout 
be made with as little injury as possible to the roots, and tli 
cut, should be made from the side, holding the roots apart, no 
through, the crowns, or many will be broken.. When planting 
take out, a good-sized hole, with the spade or trowel, aceordin 
to the size, of the plant, so that the roots may be laid ou 
evenly, and as the soil is' filled in press or tread it round firm! 
so that it does not become loosened with frost, and well cove 
the crowns. A top-dressing as before advised should be give 
when the work is completed. 
Renovating Old Borders. — Where herbaceous plants ar 
grown for many years in the same position as they are in nius 
gardens, it is necessary to take out the whole of the plants an 
eive the borders a thorough trenching occasionally, and wlier 
possible this should be done at least every four or five years 
so that the plants are able to retain then vigour and appea 
in a healthy, flourishing condition, which every enthusiast! 
cultivator desires to see. This can be done at the 1 present thru 
and all the varieties should be lifted with a good ball of soi, 
and carefully laid in, on a, spare piece of ground as near at ban, 
a,s. possible,. When, the border has been cleared of all th 
varieties, except, of course, of such as tbe Japanese Anemone? 
which should not be disturbed if they are doing well, the soi 
should be well trenched tom, depth of fully 3 ft. with some wel 
decayed farmyard manure freely added; and if the.soil is c 
a heavy texture, it will he advisable to add road scraping? 
- burnt garden refuse and any other lightening material. Tli 
