i88i.] 



CALENDAR. 



481 



returned to the garden as manure. 

 Wood - ashes, road - scrapings, turf- 

 parings, or such material mixed with 

 this, are good for any kind of land. 

 Preparation for Cabbage may be made 

 now, and the plants, if plentiful, which 

 were pricked out to become strong, 

 may be planted a foot each way to 

 give a supply in spring by cutting out 

 every alternate plant for use, leaving 

 a full crop 2 feet apart on the ground 

 for main supply ; dust with ashes, fine- 

 ly sifted, and mixed with soot or lime, 

 over the whole surface of the ground 

 and round the collars of the plants, as 

 prevention of grubs, slugs, &c. A wa- 

 tering about twice with clear lime- 

 water generally prevents the destruc- 

 tion of roots by grubs. All growing 

 crops should be properly hoed, and 

 any decaying leaves cleared off as soon 

 as they are detected. Any crops re- 

 quiring thinning should have timely 

 attention. Spinach and Lettuce sown 

 where they are to remain till they are 

 used should be carefully thinned. The 

 thinnings of both, planted carefully in 

 suitable positions, make good succes- 

 sion to the earlier sowings. Plant 

 plenty of Brown Cos Lettuce, All the 

 Year Round, Brown Dutch, Hick's 

 Hardy, or Hardy Hammersmith, and 

 there is a likelihood of a plentiful 

 supply at the proper time. On ridges, 

 or by walls and hedges which give 

 shelter from north and east, are suit- 

 able positions. Batavian Endive is 

 very hardy, and when nicely blanch- 

 ed in spring is nutty and of most 

 agreeable flavour. Endive should be 

 somewhat thick on the ground where 

 frames are to he placed over the crops ; 

 and those plants which are ready for 

 use may be tied up to blanch, or 

 have slates laid over them to exclude 

 light and air. Asparagus -beds may 

 be cleaned ; if the "grass" is ripe it 

 should be cut within a few inches of the 

 surface of the soil. When the stems are 

 extra strong and not well ripened, it is 

 better to leave them above the soil, 

 as they are liable, when cut close, to 

 cause rotting at the crown. A cover- 

 ing with manure to the depth of 2 

 inches is beneficial as protection ; but 

 where the ground is low-lying and 

 damp, coverings which are likely to 

 hold water are dangerous to the plants 

 in severe weather. Channels to carry 

 off surface-water as quickly as pos- 

 sible may be made with much advan- 



tage to the roots, and of course to next 

 season's supply of "grass." Beet, 

 Carrots, a few Parsnips for a short 

 supply, Salsafy, Scorzonera, Chicor^^', 

 and Dandelion roots may be lifted, 

 put in pits in dry positions, or stored 

 in cellars ; but all of these roots may 

 be kept in the ground covered with 

 ashes or litter, to be dug as required. 

 Many prefer Beet and Carrots fresh 

 dug from the ground : this is a mat- 

 ter of taste. We know they do not 

 keep well when dug up in full vigour 

 of growth at top and bottom. Cauli- 

 flower may now be turning in plenti- 

 fully, and can be lifted to a shed or 

 behind a wall to be kept back. Sud- 

 den changes to frost must be watched, 

 which would probably do much dam- 

 age to Cauliflower turning into use, 

 as well as other things. Cauliflower 

 plants may be planted under hand- 

 lights and other protection to stand 

 the winter. A frame full of young 

 plants now would be of much value 

 in March if well cared for ; but they 

 should have all the light and air pos- 

 sible — only kept under the lights when 

 the weather is very severe and when 

 rains are very heavy. The shelter of 

 a wall or hedge from north and east 

 is always a good position for young 

 plants to stand the winter. 



The earthing-up of Celery is now an 

 important matter, and pains should 

 be taken to keep the hearts free from 

 the soil ; a slight tie with matting or 

 some other material (which would 

 soon waste after the earthing-up was 

 done with) is advantageous. Leeks 

 grown as Celery plants may be done 

 in a similar manner. Onions should 

 now be stored, if not already done — a 

 quantity of the best which are wanted 

 to keep till May should be selected. 

 Those which are firm, solid, and 

 extra small at necks are the best. 

 They can be tied into bunches or to 

 sticks, and hung up in an open, 

 thoroughly dry shed. Plenty of dry 

 cool air is what suits them. If spread 

 on floors they should be kept thin and 

 free from any refuse. Winter Onions 

 should be well hoed, but not to inter- 

 fere with their roots. Weeds or litter 

 should have no place among the crop. 

 Parsley should be trimmed slightly, 

 if not done in August and September, 

 "Rogues" (as market-men call the 

 coarse worthless kinds) should be pulled 

 oat, in order that the plants may be stiff 



