[It has been suggested to us by more than one correspondent, that we should devote a portion of each number to the more immediate requirements of our nonprofessional readers who do not employ a gardener, and therefore come under the denomination of amateurs. With this class, gardening is a labour of love generally, and no small expense is often incurred in trying to make a small garden a source of great enjoyment. When and how to do things is often a question occurring to the amateur, and with the view of assisting them, we have placed this subject in the hands of one who has had many years' experience of their wants, and who will be glad to answer any inquirers through us, and give any information that may be thought worth asking for. - Eds].

One of the most important points to be considered, is the formation of beds and borders about villa residences, when the amateur cultivator wishes to grow a few things well. This is especially the case in large towns, where soil is often scarce and dear, and labour also. I have noticed in large midland towns, and about London also, that the formation of a villa garden is often left to the builder or a garden contractor, and the smallest cost is the greatest consideration. In many of these instances, it would positively be cheaper for the tenant to make the garden at his own expense, than to have it done in this rough-and-ready way for him. I shall not go further into this matter here than to say, that if gardening is to be carried on with any degree of pleasure, drainage, if in a damp or low-lying locality, must be secured, and a friable and suitable soil procured. Should this be of a cold retentive nature, as it is in some cases, add plenty of coarse river sand, fresh turfy soil, burnt earth, leaf-soil, and similar ingredients. I have found decayed Hops a valuable material for this purpose, and have recently restored a worn-out town garden by adding plenty of these, coarse river sand, and a little fresh earth.

Fresh Hops from the brewery can be procured at a very small cost, and, when Chrysanthemums and other things are grown in pots, form a good plunging material for them, or they can be used for mulching beds during the summer, and digging or forking them in winter.

Another point which often puzzles amateurs in stocking a villa garden with trees and shrubs, is, "what are the most suitable to plant ?" I have repeatedly seen the most unsuitable plants, such as Hybrid Rhododendrons, choice Coniferae, Sweet Bays, Laurustinus, Arbutus, etc, planted in the gardens of large manufacturing towns, where smoke rendered gardening an unsatisfactory pursuit. These were often obtained from warmer districts and more genial soils, and the failure consequently rendered more probable. It will be as well to say here, that it is wise to get your trees and shrubs from a locality where the situation and soil are similar to those in which they are to be planted. Trees and shrubs removed from the south and midland districts of England do not generally do so well when planted in many districts of the north, especially near smoky towns, as those procured from the neighbourhood. I purpose, as I go along, giving lists of a few suitable things for smaller gardens; and as this is the season for planting trees and shrubs, I will give a list of a few which may be safely selected from.