98 



THE GARDENER. 



[Feb. 



board— as, when they vegetate, they 

 are counted and notes taken, then cast 

 out. Disappointments are in this way 

 prevented, and the good name of the 

 seedsmen often preserved. When sea- 

 sons are variable, very wet and cold, 

 good seeds may be destroyed in the 

 ground. Most seedsmen prove their 

 seeds before they are sent out. Ou 

 this practice depends their own in- 

 terests. It is oftener that kinds under 

 strong recommendations are proved to 

 be no better than old favourites, than 

 to find that seeds are bad in quality. 

 It may be possible that many with 

 limited labour - power are in arrears 

 with their work. The long severe 

 winter will, no doubt, affect many ; 

 but no opportunity should now be lost 

 in forwarding operations, whether for 

 forcing vegetables or preparing for 

 them in open garden-ground. All who 

 have materials and accommodation 

 will now be forcing the usual vege- 

 tables so much in request at this sea- 

 son. It is too often the case that some 

 are expected to give large supplies with 

 inadequate accommodation — so many 

 kinds requiring different treatment are 

 grown in the same structure. Crowd- 

 ing is sometimes resorted to, and then 

 the produce may not be so good as a 

 neighbour's who has every means at 

 command. Market-growers, who have 

 to be alive to economy, always adapt 

 their circumstances to their means : to 

 cram or attempt the growth of pro- 

 duce by means not adapted for the 

 purpose, is profitless and unsatisfac- 

 tory. Successions to "crops on the 

 way " must have attention. When 

 there is a demand all through the 

 forcing season, it is always safe to start 

 small quantities often. Rapid forcing 

 often defeats the object in view by 

 growing tops instead of roots or tubers, 

 as in the case of forced Radishes, Car- 

 rots, and Potatoes, which require very 

 little warmth at root, and next to 

 no artificial heat at top. Asparagus, 

 which is so easily forced, should have 

 a light or two filled with roots every 

 ten or twelve days, keeping the crowns 

 clear, but placing them as close to- 

 gether as possible; a little mild warmth 

 will bring the ' ' grass" forward rapidly. 

 Sun-heat, harvested, when there are 

 opportunities of turning it to account, 

 will now do much to forward the 

 crops ; but a close, stagnant atmos- 

 phere will do much harm by giving 

 weakly heads and bad flavour : a wat- 



ering with tepid guano -water occa- 

 sionally may be of much service. 

 French Beans are now easily forced. 

 They come up rapidly and strong, and 

 ought to be near the glass when they 

 have vegetated. We prefer potting 

 rather firmly, using plenty of drain- 

 age. Whether the seed is sown in the 

 pots, three parts full of soil, where 

 they are to fruit, or in small pots to 

 be transferred to larger ones, warm 

 soil in each case is of primary import- 

 ance. The plants coming through the 

 soil strong is an indication that there 

 are good healthy roots, the true anti- 

 dote to red - spider — French Beans 

 being the favourite food of this pest. 

 Planting out in frames, pits, or other 

 structures, is a good practice ; labour 

 is saved, and large crops of Beans may 

 be had with little attention. Use the 

 syringe carefully when the plants are 

 in flower; give air early in the day; 

 avoid cold draughts ; dust a little soot 

 over the soil ; when roots are abund- 

 ant, give soot-water, guano-water, or 

 some other wholesome liquid, but not 

 thick, muddy manure - water, which 

 would sour the soil. A surfacing of old 

 mushroom - manure, rotted turf, and 

 manure, mixed, does well for filling up 

 the pots when the plants require help; 

 and this is the chief reason why the 

 seed is sown with the pots only three 

 parts filled with soil. Syringing with 

 clear soot- water — not over-strong — is 

 good for the plants, and an enemy to 

 thrips and spiders. Newington Won- 

 der, Osborne's Canadian Wonder, and 

 Sion House, are general favourites, 

 being very productive. Another frame 

 or pit for Horn Carrots may be sown 

 now ; or if the demand is not large, a 

 border, sheltered by a fence or other 

 means, may be prepared and sown. 

 Sandy soil finely broken is very suit- 

 able, and should be fully exposed to 

 sun : a sloping border is very desir- 

 able. A sowing of Radishes between 

 the Horn Carrots will come in useful. 

 Early-framed and French Breakfast 

 Radishes are very desirable kinds at 

 present. Protection by wire-netting 

 placed over a framework, or common 

 nets on hoops, may be necessary against 

 birds and mice. R^ed-lead sown with 

 the seed is a good preventive. Mus- 

 tard and Cress will have to be brought 

 forward in heat for some time to come. 

 Boxfuls, potfuls, or panfuls brought 

 on by weekly sowings will keep up 

 regular supplies. In towns where 



