72 THE FLOBIST AND POMOLOGIST. [March, 



stoned, the temperature may be raised to about 55^ or 60° at night, and to from 

 65° to 70^ by day ; give air freely in fine weatlier, and attend -well to the water- 

 ing. — Strawberries : Plants in bloom should have abundance of air and light, or 

 they Tvill not set their fruit. When the fniit is set and thinned, the plants 

 should be put into a warmer and moister atmosphere, near to the glass, and kept 

 well watered, and two or three times weekly should have liquid manure. 



OuT-DooBB. — With ordinary weather we may anticipate a good crop of fruit 

 this season. The weather during the last month has retarded vegetation. 

 Materials for covering Wali trees should at once be got ready, and applied as 

 soon if wanted. Whatever kind of protecting material is used, it should be 

 so contrived as to be put up and taken down at pleasure, with very little labour, 

 so that the trees may during the day-time have all the air and light possible 

 when the weather will permit the covering being let down. The great point is 

 to keep the blossoms dry until the fruit is set. All nailing should be brought to 

 a close as soon as possible. — M. Saul, Stourton^ Yorkshire. 



VEGETABLES. 



Sow a succession of Peas of some such sorts as Carter's First Crop, Veitch's 

 Perfection, Ne plus Ultra, &c. Make fresh plantations of Globe Artichokes., and 

 dig deeply around old stools, removing carefully all but the five strongest shoots, 

 manure heavily subsequently, and return the soil around them. Prick out 

 Cauliflower and Cabbage plants, filling up all the vacancies in crops of the latter 

 caused during winter ; mould up subsequently, as well as all other such subjects 

 as Peas., Beans, <|-c. Make a sowing of Btnissels Sprouts, Borecole, and Green 

 Savoys, for early autumn supply. Sow Parsnips, Leeks, Turnips, and a small 

 bed of Onions. Attend to the planting of Potatos immediately the ground 

 becomes fit for the operation. Top-dress Asparagus-beds, and do not be too 

 sparing of the manure. Where Beet is in demand at the earliest possible period 

 of the later summer months, it is advisable to make a small sowing during the 

 second week. Summer Herbs generally should be sown in pans or pots, and 

 placed in a little heat, especially Siveet Basil. Finish transplanting autumn- 

 sown Onions where, owing to an inclement period, this has not already been done. 

 Finish planting Garlic and Shallots. A few Kidney Beans may be sown in a 

 warm sunny sheltered aspect, for a chance crop, affording slight artificial 

 protection should severe weather ensue. Towards the end of the month stake 

 Peas, placing a more than ordinary amount on the bleakest side, to ward off, 

 more or less, the keener blasts of wind. Sow Purslane on a sunny border, and 

 Parsley in rows, in an open aspect. Place pots or some such shelter over 

 Bhubarh stools to encourage an earlier and more tender supply than would accrue 

 from the exposed plants. Sow a little seed of Walcheren and Snow's Broccoli 

 for the early autumn supply. 



Encourage the growth of Potatos, Radishes, Carrots, &c., in early frames, set 

 apart for them, by giving air freely, and watering them freely, during fine sunny 

 weather. Prick out early Lettuces, Celery, Tomatos, &c., in pans, placing them 

 in a slight heat to induce growth. Maintain around Cucumbers in frames an 

 uniform temperature, not exceeding 65° by night, with an increase of only 10° 

 by day, unless by actual sun-heat, and with a moderate supply of air. Excessive 

 artificial heat applied to them invarial)ly enervates the plants, and produces a 

 weakly, non-fruitful growth, as opposed to the vigour induced by such moderation 

 as I suggest. Make yet another bed in the Mushroom house, as it will come in, 

 before the maggot pest becomes so destructive ; give air more freely now, and do 

 not scatter around so much moisture as was needed when a greater amount of 

 artificial heat was made use of. — William Eaelet, Valentines. 



