48 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. [February, 



Out-Doors. — The planting of Fruit trees, where it has yet to be done, should 

 be proceeded with when the state of the soil and weather permits. Advantage 

 should also be taken of fine weather to push on the Pruning of all kinds of fruit 

 trees. Old standard trees that have been neglected should be severely operated 

 on ; thin well the branches on trees that are crowded. Keep the centres of all 

 trees open to admit the sun and air. Prune Gooseberries and Currants, and fork 

 over borders. Tie up Raspherrij canes, and give the plants a good dressing of 

 rotten dung. — M. Saul, Stourton. 



VEGETABLES. 



With every hope that the advent of February may bring us fine drying 

 weather, during which backward work may be pushed forward successfully, I 

 recommend all blank spaces to be immediately trenched or dug over, in preparation 

 for the approaching sowing time. In the case of light soils the sooner this opera- 

 tion is performed the better, because their texture being too loose already, they 

 will assume by natural gravitation and the moderate amount of cohesion of which 

 they are possessed, a mechanical condition far more suitable for the roots, and more 

 to their liking, than when a looser condition exists. "With the first weeks in 

 February some few vegetable seeds — Cabbage, Savoy, Radish^ and a succession 

 of Peas, Beans, and Parsley — should be sown upon the driest and most sunny 

 position to be found — that is, if mild sunnyweather continues. 



About the last week of the month transplant autumn-sown Onions along 

 drills previously prepared with the hoe about one foot apart ; dibble the young 

 plants out about 8 in. apart in the rows, taking care not to bury the base of the 

 plants too deeply, and placing the roots as straight down and as deep as they 

 will go. Transplant Cabbages by way of succession to such as were autumn- 

 planted. Earth-up late Celery for a succession to former batches. Sow Cauli- 

 flower in a box, or upon a hot-bed for summer use ; Veitch's Autumn Giant 

 is an excellent variety. A small sowing of Beet should also be made, at the earliest 

 time possible, where a demand for this vegetable exists. Earth-i^p Peas and Broad 

 Beans needing it, rather by anticipation than allowing them to grow on so as to be 

 liable to injury by wind-waving. Plant a few Early Ash-leaf Potatos upon a 

 south border, placing the sets moderately deep. Transplant Horse-Radish, or 

 make fresh beds by cutting off the crowns of such as exist, dibbling them in 

 about fourteen inches deep, and filling up the holes with fine cinder-ashes, 

 through which the young growth when it starts may more readily reach the top. 

 Sow a little Turnip seed about the close of the month ; I have found the Red 

 American a good sort for sowing upon a south border, as it comes in early and 

 shows as little sign of ' bolting ' as any ; sown thus it affords a very earl}' supply 

 of a very desirable vegetable. Herbs may be increased by division of the roots ; 

 which is applicable to Marjoram, Fennel, and in some instances to Thyme, Mint, Szc. 

 Herb plantations should also be neatly pointed over and mulched with thoroughly 

 decomposed manure, where not so done in the autumn. 



Proceed with the formation of Cucumber and Melo7i'heds, taking care to add 

 nothing to the previously fermented stable-litter, or sweet and clean old leaves, 

 otherwise rank steam will form, to the too certain injury of the youthful and 

 tender plants ; these must have all the light and air possible afforded them, 

 without unduly decreasing the mean temperature around them, which should 

 average G0° by night and from 65^ to 75° by day, according to the influence 

 of the sun. Sow in this frame a little Celery seed in a box. Dwarf French 

 Beans should also be sown for a succession where the means exist. Place 

 Mint and Tarragon into some of the heated structures for an early supply. — 

 William Eaeley, Valentines. 



