8 79 .] 



CALENDAR. 



99 



other means are not available, Mus- 

 tard and Cress is often raised in the 

 kitchen, and when in leaf, is transfer- 

 red to the window during the day, 

 and brought under cover at night. 

 "Thread" Onions are treated in a 

 similar manner ; but they endure less 

 heat, and without air are worthless. 

 Capsicums may be sown in fine soil. 

 Sprinkle the seed thinly, and cover it 

 finely. Place in heat about 70° (less 

 would do). "When the seedlings are 

 up, pot singly, using warmed soil. 

 Water with tepid water, and grow 

 them with plenty of light after they 

 have showed signs of actual growth. 

 Mushrooms should be brought forward 

 in beds made every ten or twelve 

 days. This precarious crop under the 

 most skilful treatment fails, and often 

 when no trouble or care is taken, 

 abundant supplies are had ; and beds 

 coming in frequently are more likely 

 to meet a continuous demand than a 

 few large beds made during the course 

 of the season. Seakale and Rhubarb 

 may now be brought on with ease 

 under any system ; some have a cling- 

 ing to the system of covering with 

 leaves or other fermenting material ; 

 and this is a simple matter after the 

 crowns begin to move, their natural 

 season of growth having now begun. 

 The same may apply to Rhubarb ; its 

 moving naturally now and little help 

 bring it in fit for use. The lifting 

 of the roots, a custom so general with 

 Seakale and Rhubarb and Chicory, 

 may be continued till the crowns are 

 moving. Placed under a stage where 

 there is a little warmth allowed for 

 plants in the structure, in a frame or pit, 

 sufficient to keep growth moving, pro- 

 duce in abundance may be had at little 

 expense and labour. Seakale must be 

 kept dark, and air excluded, to have it 

 fine. Seakale, Beet, and Chicory and 

 Chicory-roots, require to be in quarters 

 closed in from light and air, whiteness 

 and tenderness being their best pro- 

 perties. Tomatoes now in heat for 

 summer supplies should be kept near 

 the glass. Pot them firmly, as the 

 roots require room, and always give 

 air when the state of the weather will 

 allow it. Those fruiting must have 

 their useless growths rubbed off before 

 they get to any size. The plants 

 should not be allowed to bear heavy 

 crops at this season, as there is yet 

 little action at the roots to sustain 



many fruit on one plant. Herbs in 

 demand at this season in a green state 

 are easily brought forward, by potting 

 a few in any ordinary soil, giving 

 them a little warmth, and sprink- 

 ling them occasionally with the 

 syringe or fine rose of a water- 

 ing-pot ; a watering at the roots to 

 moisten all the soil is necessary. The 

 kinds in request are Tarragon, Mint, 

 Fennel, and some Sorrel, to keep a 

 supply of fresh leaves. Celery may 

 be sown for a small early supply. 

 This is often destroyed for want of 

 light and air, accompanied with a high 

 temperature. We have found the 

 treatment given to Radishes, Carrots, 

 and Potatoes in frames, raise seedling 

 Celery well. Extremes and sudden 

 changes destroy the vitality of the 

 young plants, and render them worth- 

 less by their premature running to 

 seed. Sow seed of Cabbage, Savoy, 

 Kale, or Borecole (Greens in some 

 northern localities), Leek, Brussels 

 Sprouts, Lettuce, Cauliflower, and 

 Parsley, on a warm, deeply-dug border. 

 These will come in early for first sup- 

 ply. The seeds, sown on a dry day, 

 and covered with fine kindly soil 

 about the middle of the month, will 

 vegetate freely. Hoops on which 

 mats can be placed for shelter, will do 

 much for their benefit during severe 

 weather. Handlights, shallow frames, 

 or frame-lights placed on bricks, are 

 of much value where better protection 

 is not afforded. Get land prepared, 

 by trenching, digging, and manuring, 

 for crops as speedily as circumstances 

 will allow. The plain crop of Onions 

 may be sown on well-trenched ground 

 made firm on the surface. Sow T thinly 

 in rows 1 foot to 18 inches apart (ac- 

 cording to strength of ground) ; cover 

 them very lightly. The soil ought to 

 be finely broken ; and dry Celery- 

 ground, well trenched, is very suitable 

 for Onions. Parsnips may also be 

 sown for main crop, but one must be 

 guided by the w r eather and state of 

 the soil. Sow Peas and Broad Beans 

 twice during the month. Spinach 

 may be sown between them ; or the 

 Peas a good distance apart, and Beans 

 between them. Peas and Beans in 

 boxes must be kept growing slowly 

 by allowing them plenty of air and 

 light. Let every growing crop be 

 stirred with a hoe or prong to keep the 

 soil open. M. T. 



