THE OaRDENiNO WORLD. 
47 
January 16, 1904. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
So very muck will depend on till© nature of the weather which 
is in store for us 1 during the coming month as to our proceedings 
in tkei kitchen garden, that: to a. great extent we must be guided 
by it. Method is a great thing in ©very walk of life, and espe¬ 
cially does this apply to all those who are interested in garden¬ 
ing. It matters not whether lie be a. professional or a cottager, 
it is of the utmost importance, and in well-ordered gardens, 
whatever the climatic conditions are, suitable work can always 
be found for willing hands to do, either under cover or in the 
open. 
Preparation of the soil will now claim much attention, and 
till the art of this is thoroughly learned, no one can ever hope 
to become efficient in this important branch of horticulture; 
and here let me say a word or two to our young men who are 
learning gardening. Take the earliest opportunity of getting 
some practical experience in a well-ordered kitchen garden, and 
do noli mind using the spade, but rather consider it a privilege. 
Theory is all very well, but it is of little use compared with 
experience, and there is 1 a great deal more to. accomplish in 
the art of kitchen gardening. 
Deep tillage is of primary importance, and endeavour to' have 
the whole depth broken up in such a condition that the roots 
of any subject can penetrate into it if they choose, and the more 
unfavourable the soil one has to deal with the more necessity 
is there for this. Cold, wet, retentive soil ought not to be 
worked too early in the year, and only when it .is in the driest 
possible condition, February being the best month generally for 
such soils ; but that of a lighter and more porous nature can 
be treated quite differently, and any time and almost in any 
weather this can be worked. It is surprising how quickly the 
subsoil—it matters not how unkindly it is—can be improved 
when brought to the surface, exposed to the influence of win¬ 
terly weather and suitable ingredients strewn over and incor¬ 
porated with it.. Everything which is of a lightening nature 
should be saved and treasured for the purpose when one has 
to deal with such soils, burnt garden refuse forming one of the 
most important items for such purposes. At this season every 
particle of rubbish should be cleared up and burned, and the 
remains used for the above purpose. The various soils which 
will be required for seed-sowing .should be placed in the dry 
or the heaps, protected. This can be sifted and mixed ready 
for- use during bad weather. 
Tools. —Now is a capital time to take stock of these, and 
any which are worth it and require repairing .should be at¬ 
tended to., and worn-out. ones replaced with new. Every work¬ 
man should have, and be responsible for, his own tools, and 
these should be kept clean and bright at all times. The shed 
should have a. thorough cleaning, and there should be a place 
for each tool, and each tool kept in its place when not in use. 
Seed-30wing. —Do not hurry to sow seeds in the open unless, 
of course, in most, favourable parts of the country, or disap¬ 
pointment will assuredly follow, but. small quantities of the 
various subjects, such as Peas, Beans, Cauliflowers, Cabbage. 
Leeks, Onions., Lettuce, etc., can be started under glass in 
small quantities, nursed along, and properly hardened off and 
planted out later on. Be well prepared for sharp weather, 
which may come on us at any moment, and much injury may 
b© avoided by a little timely protection. E. Beckett. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
Hardy Herbaceous Border. 
Tellima grandiflora. —Considering the beauty of this, plant 
during the dull season of the year, it is surprising one does 
not meet with it more frequently ; and there- is no. other plant- 
at the present, time which has. such a. pleasing effect on the 
rockery or in. the front of the border. In general appearance 
this plant, greatly resembles, the Heucheras, notably H. 
Richardsouii, though the foliage -assumes much deeper colours.. 
The leaves are deep, red above and paler beneath, of medium 
size, and produced in thick tufts. The flowers, which are pro¬ 
duced on stems about a foot in height during the summer, are 
yellowish green in colour, and not particularly attractive. This 
Tellima will succeed in almost any soil or situation, but the 
best result® are obtained when it is given a partially-shaded 
position between (the rocks, and the soil is largely composed of 
decayed leaves. It is easily increased by division of the roots 
in autumn, 
Thalictrums, —Apart from the beauty of .some of the Thalic- 
trums a.s flowering plant®, the foliage of some varieties is very 
pleasing, and makes them desirable .subjects for the rock 
garden or herbaceous border. They are also. neat, in habit, 
requiring but little attention,, and the taller varieties are very 
-effective when grouped together in quantity, and when natu¬ 
ralised .they are also very pleasing. 
T. aquilegifolium is one of the bes-t of -the tall-growing kinds, 
succeeding well in any soil, and contrasting pleasantly with 
the. other -occupants of the border. The f oliage, is large, and, a-s 
the name implies, very similar to. an Aquilegia, and the stems, 
which are between 4 ft. and 5 ft. in height, terminate in heads 
of creamy-white flowers, which are very light .and useful for 
cutting purposes. 
T. ma-jus glaucum is another tall variety, and a, little 
stronger in growth than the preceding. The foliage is similar 
in. shape to T. aquilegif olium, but has-a, pale glaucous tint-, which 
makes it very distinct. The flowers 1 are sulphury-yellow, and 
produced in large quantities. 
T. aquilegifolium purpureum is a little, known variety, but 
one of great merit-, with reddish flower heads and stems, and 
is very effective when seen in a good mass. 
T. Delavayi is. also a, very fine, plant, but as yet, extremely 
rare in gardens. When better known, however, I am sure it 
will become a great, favourite among hardy plantsmen. The 
flowers -are pale purple, and the. stems also have, a, purplish 
tinge,, and it is distinct in, growth from any other 'border plant. 
T. appendic-ulatum is a, variety mid-way between the tall and 
very dwarf kinds, and is suitable for the border or a good- 
sized rockery. The foliage, is of medium size, and very useful 
for cutting in late autumn.. Its usefulness, -for decorating 
strongly recommends, it where this has, to be carried out. 
Among the dwarfer varieties T. anemonoides is deservedly 
popular, and is. a. gem among alpines,. Being only 2 in. -or 
3 in. high, with flowers white in colour and 1 in. across, it is 
veiy conspicuous, the flowering period being April and May. 
This plant likes a .shady position, and deep, light soil. There 
is also a double form. 
T. minus is also charming, and the pale green foliage is most 
useful, though the. flowers are inconspicuous. This grows 
between 12 in. and 18 in. in, height, and the foliage, which 
greatly resembles a Maidenhair Fern, Is well adapted for 
arranging with other flowers. 
Plants in Frames. —These should have all the air possible 
admitted when the weather will permit, and if any mildew 
ha.s made; its appearance while they have been covered up, the 
affected parts should be picked off and a dusting of sulphur 
given. A. E. Thatcher. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
The Stove and Greenhouse. 
Eranthemum pulchellum .—The genus Eranthemum con¬ 
tains many gems well worthy of cultivation in the stove, and 
by no means the least of them in point of intrinsic beauty and 
utility is the ispecies under notice. The plant may be termed 
a, soft-wooded stove shrub, and is easy of culture. Well-grown, 
plants attain to 12 in. or 15 in.,in height, and have robust, dark- 
green leafage, surmounted by a wealth of rich blue flowers in 
winter. These are somewhat fugitive in character, but so 
quickly are the faded blossoms replaced with others that the 
defect, if it, may be called one, is hardly noticed. Blue flowers 
are. not too plentiful in glass-houses at any time of the year, 
hut. -especially is there a, scarcity of such in winter. As the 
plants go out- of flower give less water, and place them on, a 
shelf or stage in a structure having a rather dry atmosphere, 
and where the temperature, is kept at about 55 deg. After 
a few weeks’ rest they may be pruned -back and repotted for 
producing cuttings. A genial temperature of about 60 deg. 
