MARCH. 95 



planting them out in April. Plants struck during winter, or this 

 spring, should have a good shift, and planted out about a fortnight 

 aft(jr the first batch. Seedlings may be put out the end of the 

 month, but should be secured from slugs or snails. 



Kitchen- Garden. With the advance of spring, the number of 

 things requiring to be done in this department daily increase. If our 

 previous directions for trenching and working the land have been 

 attended to, it will now be in good order for sowing Parsnips, Onions, 

 and a few Carrots ; the principal crops of the two former should be 

 got in without delay. Carrots in dry soils are apt to become maggotty 

 in hot weather if sown too soon. Dwarf, Mammoth, and Champion 

 Peas may now be sown, to be succeeded by the taller Marrowfats 

 towards the end of the month ; the Long Pod and Green Windsor 

 Beans should likewise be planted to succeed the " Tan" and Maza- 

 gans. Plant out, as time permits, the early and principal crops of 

 Potatoes. Avoid the use of fresh, rank manures; but where manure 

 is necessary, let it be well decomposed, and add dry ashes, guano, or 

 soot as auxiliaries ; lime on some soils produces Potatoes of excel- 

 lent quality. Judging by past experience, it will be useless attempt- 

 ing their growth on wet, clayey soils or confined situations ; but on 

 soils of moderate depth and dryness, with an open exposure, we have 

 no doubt a moderate crop may be relied on. Towards the middle of 

 the month, transplant from the frames Cauliflowers, Lettuces, &c., 

 to warm borders ; give the autumn-planted crops a good hoeicg, 

 or, if the soil is very firm, slightly dig it over with a fork. Fresh 

 plantations of Khubarb, Horse-radish, Sea-kale, and Artichoke 

 may now be planted ; as the above are to remain in the same place 

 for some years, let the ground be deeply trenched and well enriched 

 with manure. Spring-sown vegetables in frames should have the 

 sashes taken off on mild days, to gradually harden them for pricking 

 out. Autumn-planted Cabbage encourage by well soaking them, in 

 mild weather, with liquid manure, and keeping the soil about then! 

 well loosened. To have Leeks in perfection, sow them on a slight 

 bottom-heat, and treat them like Celery. 



Orchids. As the principal part of these will now be growing, and 

 as light and solar heat are daily increasing, the temperature may safely 

 be raised a few degrees on bright days. To many kinds shading will 

 soon be necessary, and such should be got in readiness for using 

 directly the plants show indications of suffering from excess of light. 

 Attend to previous directions respecting potting or redressing, which 

 should always precede the new growth. Many kinds, however, will 

 from time to time require examining and fresh material added. Do 

 not permit water to lodge about the newly-formed roots, or rot they 

 assuredly will. Increase the humidity of the house as the days 

 lengthen. Plants blooming remove to a drier house, to preserve 

 them from spotting. Night temperatiu'e G0°, rising 10° or 15° by day. 

 Pansies. Those in pots should be allowed to have gentle, mild 

 showers; the frames should be kept open as much as possible, peg 

 out the shoots as the plants progress : small side-shoots may be put 

 in 9S cuttings. Any stock left in pots should be turned out into 



