CALENDAR. 



95 



KITCHEN-GARDEN. 



Whatever may be left in the way of 

 digging and treuching, preparatory for 

 crops, we need hardly say demands 

 attention without delay. Onion-ground 

 may be about the tirst to receive its 

 allotted manipulation. After being 

 thoroughly turned over, broken, and 

 well manured, the surface may again 

 receive a preparation with fork, to 

 make it fine and kindly. At one 

 period when we made special efforts 

 to get fine large small-necked Onions, 

 the ground, naturally, was like pow- 

 der at sowing-time : now we have it 

 like boulders generally (but by add- 

 ing turf, wood-ashes, and other fer- 

 tilisers, it gets friable in a greater de- 

 gree every year), but hope to have an 

 opportunity of thoroughly breaking 

 the surface before the third week of 

 the month, and then sow when weather 

 will allow, and cover with siftings 

 from under potting - bench, or other 

 waste stuff. It is surprising how 

 well Onions finish as to size and 

 quality on such land. A kindly 

 start (in our opinion) is half the 

 battle with most seedlings ; therefore 

 we would urge this extra preparation 

 as a speciality, to be dealt with with- 

 out delay. Sow as early as possible 

 after the 20th, and make the land 

 firm by rolliog and treading. Parsnips 

 and Leeks which are hardy may be 

 put in at end of month ; but rather 

 than imprison seeds in battered soil, 

 we would wait, if it was a month later. 

 Beans and Peas may be sown twice at 

 least during the month. Second early 

 kinds, as d^^scribed in catalogues, may 

 have the preference now; but we know 

 gome good cultivators who sow later 

 kinds at this season, especially the 

 wrinkled Peas, which are generally 

 high in flavour. The best Pea we had 

 last year was The Baron — a splendid 

 cropper, immense pods, and of fine 

 flavour. Telephone and Telegraph were 

 also fine, but barely equalled the for- 

 mer in all points. Peas coming for- 

 ward in frames, &c. , ought to have all 

 the light and air possible — only ex- 

 cluding heavy rains and frost : a trifle 

 of the latter does no harm if the plants 

 have' not been coddled. 



Vermin, such as mice, slugs, &c. , may 

 be troublesome : red-lead dusted over 

 tops of seedlings, which are not to be 

 eaten (salads generally would be ren- 



dered useless), and along with the seed 

 at sowing-time, is a good preventive. 

 Fir-tree oil appears to us to be a very 

 suitable liquid to sprinkle over crops 

 with a fine rose : on plants it is a most 

 effectual destroyer of insects. Sow 

 Broccoli, for an early autumn lot, to 

 succeed late Cauliflower. We often 

 have six small lots of Cauliflower, by 

 sowing at short intervals, and by plant- 

 ing some in sun and otliers in shade. 

 Brussels Sprouts may also be sown now 

 in a pot or pan for early "Buttons ;" 

 but we have found the March sowings 

 of these the best in every sense. Let- 

 tuce, Cabbage, Savoys, Kale, Parsley, 

 Spinach, and Radishes may be sown on 

 warm sheltered borders and ridges, 

 formed with their backs to the coldest 

 quarters, very often north and west : 

 near a hedge, in front of a shubbery, or 

 other thicket, are good positions for 

 ridges on which to sow early crops. 

 Potato-planting may be done if desir- 

 able, but will do equally well in March: 

 when ridges have been thrown up 2 

 feet to 24 feet wide, and the bottoms 

 broken over, then plant the Potatoes, 

 and cover them with sifted ashes and 

 leaf-mould (a few inches). Turfy soil is 

 also excellent for covering early Po- 

 tatoes. Garlic and Shallots may now 

 be planted : a long period of growth 

 tells well on their quality. Jerusalem 

 Artichokes may be planted : single 

 rows dividing crops is a profitable 

 method of growing these. Rhubarb 

 divided and planted now will give fine 

 crowns for supply of next year : plenty 

 of manure and abundance of room are 

 of much service to secure large stalks 

 of this most useful esculent. The 

 forcing of herbs, such as Mint, Tarra- 

 gon, &c., may be done : a pot or two, 

 with a little soil to keep the roots 

 moist, and warmth as one would de- 

 sire in May, are all that is necessary to 

 grow for early use all common herbs. 

 Sow pinches of Celery twice in the 

 month. Incomparable and its syn- 

 onyms, Manchester or Leicester Red, 

 jMajor Clarke's, are all good. Gentle 

 heat, plenty of light, and no checks 

 from drought, are requisite ; but 

 often, with every effort and means, 

 " bolting" may take place. Forcing 

 of Carrots, Radishes, and Potatoes 

 may proceed as means will allow : 

 plenty of light, free soil, air in 



