146 



THE GARDENER. 



[March 



expeditiously carried forward. Manure 

 will, in most eases, be wheeled on 

 to vacant spaces, and preparation for 

 cropping will now be the order of the 

 day. Dry soil for seed-sowing is of 

 much importance. Sowing thinly is 

 a matter to be considered when free- 

 growing crops are expected ; and if 

 seeds have been proved and found 

 good, they should not be cast into the 

 drills at random, but evenly, so that 

 each plant will come up clear of its 

 fellow — and thinning done as early 

 as possible, so that crowding may be 

 avoided. Covering of seeds deeply is 

 often the cause of failure ; replacing 

 the soil over them in the drills when 

 it is wet, battering the surface like 

 mortar, is an evil to be avoided. In 

 heavy wet soils, which go together 

 tenaciously after rain, seeds of the 

 smaller class do not vegetate readily ; 

 and where it is practicable, a quantity 

 of dry soil, from potting-sheds or else- 

 where, may be used with great advan- 

 tage. Now is the time to make larger 

 sowings of Peas and Beans — and better 

 to do it every ten or twelve days than 

 run any risk of an interval between 

 the supplies. Two or three kinds may 

 be sown at one time, choosing kinds 

 to form successions, which come into 

 use as others begin to decline in bear- 

 ing. Some of the dwarf Peas, as Blue 

 Peter, are useful for sowing between 

 larger kinds sown in rows a good dis- 

 tance apart — the stakes of taller Peas 

 affording shelter to many crops sown 

 between the rows, as well as Peas and 

 Beans. The last named are, as a rule, 

 not recpiired in large quantities, and 

 sowings must be made in proportion 

 to demand. Peas may be sown more 

 thickly now than during the warmer 

 months. In rich land, they do well 

 planted in wide drills two or three 

 inches apart. They branch out and give 

 heavy crops of fine pods, and are less 

 likely to be destroyed by drought or 

 mildew : loose rich soil placed over the 

 seed is of much advantage to them. A 

 border for early seed may be in readi- 

 ness : it should be deeply trenched, 

 well broken, and a good dash of sand 

 or light soil worked into the surface. 

 If there are frames, hand-lights, sashes 

 (which can be placed on bricks), or 

 boxes covered with glass, to afford pro- 

 tection from weather and birds, such 

 would reduce the labours and anxiety 

 of cultivators ; but such coverings are 

 often abused by neglecting to uncover 



I the seeds when they require air and 

 I light in abundance. Nothing does 

 well when coddled unnaturally. On 

 this early border may be sown Brus- 

 sels Sprouts, Cabbage (early compact 

 kinds), Carrots (Short Horn), Cauli- 

 flower, Lettuce, Parsley for trans- 

 planting, Radish, a pinch of Savoy, 

 Scotch Kale, Borecole, and a little 

 Turnip may be tried, but it runs 

 quickly to seed. A gentle hotbed 

 answers well for Turnips, and also 

 Carrots and Radishes. The latter 

 will be coming on well for use where 

 they were sown early in the season. 

 Thinning may be necessary ; but where 

 they were carefully sown, the produce 

 may be drawn for use as they grow. 

 A pinch of Grange's, Snow's, and 

 Veitch's protecting Broccoli may be 

 sown for early autumn supply. Red- 

 lead mixed with a little dry soil may 

 be dusted over these seeds, to check 

 the depredations of mice and other 

 vermin. Celery may be sown under 

 glass twice in the month ; at end of 

 month, a sowing may be made on a 

 sheltered border and covered with a 

 hand-light, or protected at night from 

 frost by hoops and mats. Plants 

 of Celery being brought forward for 

 earliest crops under glass, such as pits 

 or frames, must be kept in an even 

 temperature — about 55°, or a little 

 more — not drenched with cold water. 

 Have air on every favourable opportu- 

 nity, all the light possible, and in no 

 way exposed to sudden changes of any 

 kind. Drought to check the roots 

 will soon drive the young plants to 

 premature seeding. Beet may be 

 sown in small proportions to give an 

 early supply ; but the main crops may 

 be left till late in April, and to the 

 beginning of May in warm southern 

 districts. Deep, well-broken soil, not 

 too rich, suits this root. Chillies may 

 still be sown, and also the larger kinds 

 of Capsicums. Those up and growing 

 should be potted singly, to do them 

 well. They require light and air free- 

 ly when it can be admitted, but are 

 easily injured by cold currents. Leeks 

 may be sown in a bed for planting 

 from into rich ground. Where cir- 

 cumstances will allow, they do well 

 when sown in a well-prepared trench, 

 heavily manured, and afterwards treat- 

 ed like Celery. Onions should not be 

 out of the ground longer than possible, 

 though we have sown them late in 

 April with much success. They are 



