December 30, 1905. 
THE OARDENINQ WORLD 
96‘J 
case the artist’s design may be modified by 
the necessity of creating shelter; in another, 
the planting may be needed to mask unsightly 
objects that are near; in a third, to direct the 
gaze to distant beauties of landscape that may 
be brought into the whole effect, like posses¬ 
sions. Each situation has its own peculiar 
advantages and drawbacks. In plantations 
near the eye, lights and shadows are more 
apparent than on distant groups of trees, the 
effects are stronger; therefore dark foliage 
planted in a near recess makes it appear 
deeper still. White foliage or blossoms seem 
to be nearer to the spectator than they really 
Lettuce plant fit to transplant 
with the trowel to retain all 
the roots. 
are. Objects become fainter in effect as they 
retire from the eye. A detached clump or a 
single tree of lighter green will therefore seem 
to be further off than an equidistant planting 
of darker hue. A regulated gradation of one 
tint to another will apparently alter the 
length of a continuous plantation according 
as the gradation commences with foliage of 
light or dark green. 
When a long continuous line of planting 
fronting the eye cannot well be broken, be¬ 
cause perhaps it may serve as a shelter or for 
some other reason, a variation of line and 
composition may be given to it by placing 
light-green plants in graduated tints at cer¬ 
tain positions in its course. The effect is to 
give the idea of distance at such points, and 
this effect of expanse will be still more shown 
if the skyline of the tree tops is lowered with 
a gentle curve, lowest where the lightest shade 
of green is prevalent. Among the dark- 
foliaged trees may be mentioned the Oak, 
Chestnut, Beech, Elm, Austrian Pine, Spruce, 
Cedar of Lebanon, Yew, and the Holly. 
Among the light greens are Plane, Birch, Ash, 
Acacia, Lime, Poplar, Willow, Larch, Abies, 
and Cedrus Deodara. A few red-greens are 
varieties of Maple, Copper Beech, American 
Oak, and some species of Crataegus. 
Maltjs. 
Wiater-flowering Carnations. 
It has been suggested in various quarters 
that these should be given more attention at 
autumn and winter exhibitions. Certainly 
this is a good idea. Good as the Chrysanthe¬ 
mum may be, we are' having a big dose of 
them, and many flower lovers see little to 
attract them to these ’Mum shows. Per¬ 
sonally, I can see nothing beautiful or attrac¬ 
tive in long tables of big blooms, and many of 
the groups are very stiff. Variety is said to 
be charming; this should induce promoters 
and show committees to give a few good prizes 
for groups of winter-flowering Carnations, and 
I venture to say nothing would be more 
attractive and beautiful. “ A. D.” in another 
weekly recently made a point in showing how 
well the groups of Carnations were admired at 
the National Chrysanthemum Show at the 
Crystal Palace. Some may say we have had 
winter-flowering Carnations for many years. 
True; but for vigour, size, and length of stiff 
stems they are not to be compared to the 
kinds sent from America. This was brought 
forcibly to my notice some few weeks ago 
when calling at Rowledge, near Farnham, to 
see Mi-. Mortimer, when he showed me into 
one of his long span-roofed houses. I was 
astonished to see such a wealth of bloom. 
Being one of the most important crops 
grown in the kitchen garden, Lettuce plants 
should receive careful attention throughout 
their growth. It may be said by some per¬ 
sons, “ Oh! anyone can grow Lettuces.” Yes, 
probably they can, plants of a certain size; 
but it requires much forethought and intelli¬ 
gence to grow fine specimens weighing ftom 
three to five pounds, crisp and blanched in the 
centre. The following notes will give the 
necessary information as to how to grow 
them : — 
Soil and Situation.^- A deeply dug, rich 
soil is the best; a poor one is generally the 
Plant three-parts grown just 
tied up to blanch. 
cause of stunted plants which run to seed 
prematurely. Some persons wonder why it is 
that Lettuces attain to such a large size when 
grown between Celery rows on the ridges. 
The chief cause of the extra large size and 
general well-being of such plants is the fact 
that there is a double depth of good rich loam 
there. An open situation is essential; if the 
plants are overshadowed by taller growing 
plants they become drawn and weakly. 
Sowing the Seeds. — A very early crop of 
small plants may be had by sowing some seeds 
in a frame in January and February ; and also 
by sowing hardier varieties in August, to 
withstand the winter outside. But the chief 
crops should be raised from seeds sown in open 
borders, the first sowing being made towards 
the end of March. 
Select a border near a wall or other shelter¬ 
ing fence, put on a good layer of rotted 
manure and thoroughly incorporate it with 
the soil. Sow the seeds thinly broadcast, and 
cover them a quarter of ail inch deep. 
•Nor was there given any fancy treatment. 
The plants were simply standing in rows on 
the ground. I noted they were growing prin¬ 
cipally in 6in. and 7in. pots. Every plant was 
a picture of health, and mostly in bloom, still 
throwing up new growths, and will bloom all 
through the winter. I have not space to give 
the names. Mr. M. has exhibited them, and 
you have seen the names of the best. 
Chard. J. C . F. 
Transplanting.— This work should be done 
as soon as the plants are large enough, and 
before they become drawn up weakly. Select 
the sturdiest specimens, take them up with a 
trowel and replant them with the aid of this 
tool, thus retaining all the roots possible. 
As I have before pointed out, choose an 
open situation — one well enriched with 
manure and deeply dug. Put out the plants 
in rows 15in. apart and 1ft. asunder in the 
rows. 
Summer Treatment. —This consists of 
watering, keeping the surface loose by hoeing, 
weeding, and tying up the plants, when three- 
parts grown, to blanch. 
Insects.—The plants are not liable to any 
bad disease, but they form a great attraction 
to slugs, snails, and fowls. Dry lime scattered 
around them saves many plants from the 
depredations of slugs, and the latter should be 
destroyed by hand picking while the seedlings 
are in the nursery bed. Fowls must be driven 
away, or wire netting laid over the plants. 
Varieties.— Cos, or upright-growing sorts, 
Brown or Bath Cos, Kingsholm. Hicks' Hardy 
White, Paris White Cos, London White Cos. 
Cabbage sorts: All the Year Round, Early 
Paris Market, Early Hammersmith, Brown 
Dutch (hardy, stands the winter). Neapolitan, 
Wheeler’s Tom Thumb, and Queen of Summer. 
In season, from March to October, outside ; 
in boxes, forced, throughout the winter. 
A Lettuce run to seed owing 
to poor, badly-tilled soil. 
Vegetables 
# -Y- -Y- 
'A* TV 
ALL THE YEAR ROUND. 
XXI.— LETTUCE. 
