i8 79 .] 



CALENDAR. 



577 



CfaUn&ar* 



KITCHEN-GARDEN. 



A period of fine weather having 

 been experienced (which we trust has 

 been general), will do much to for- 

 ward crops which were in many cases 

 suffering from continued cold drench- 

 ings. Weeds, too, were in some gar- 

 dens having all their own way. The 

 weather is always right for them. 

 Seldom have we known an October 

 more suitable for garden-work of all 

 kinds ; and the maturation of weeds, 

 we observe, among cottagers' plots and 

 on farming land, has been very preva- 

 lent. In grass-land we have found it 

 a formidable operation to clear the 

 park of Thistles, but in every case 

 have made an effort to clear root and 

 top. The allowing of such weeds as 

 Thistles, Groundsel, and Dandelions 

 to remain on the ground after they 

 are cut over, is simply worse than 

 useless. They ripen their seed, and 

 it is wafted over the surface by the 

 wind, and as carefully sown as if 

 human hands had done it. Some 

 gardens are not always free from 

 objectionable practices. Where such 

 weeds have seeded in gardens, it is 

 well to trench deeply, so that they 

 may be kept from vegetating. But 

 they are not always annihilated by 

 burying : after many years' deep con- 

 cealment under the surface, they may 

 be trenched up again to sun and air, 

 and grow as freely as if they had re- 

 cently been sown. 



Ground becoming vacant should be 

 trenched or dug as deeply as may be 

 desirable for the crops which are to 

 occupy the land next year. We 

 know no crops which do not grow 

 well on carefully - trenched ground ; 

 and on such ground there need 

 be little fear of drought or injury 

 from stagnant moisture. Drainage 

 is, however, a most useful agent in 

 improving the land, as well as mak- 

 ing the district a healthy one. The 

 hoe should be kept at work among 

 all growing crops — especially Spinach, 

 young Cabbage, Lettuce, Onions, &c. 

 A battered, wet, and close surface is an 

 active destroyer of such crops. Dust- 

 ings of sifted coal-ashes round the 

 plants is good protection, and helps 

 to prevent frost from throwing them 



out of the soil. Decaying leaves must 

 be got rid of; they are objectionable 

 in every sense. When Parsley is 

 loaded with rough half-rotten leaves, 

 a winter of much frost and wet is sure 

 to do a deal of mischief. Last winter 

 ought to be a warning to us, so that 

 we may avoid being "caught nap- 

 ping." Give protection to Globe Ar- 

 tichokes by placing Fern-litter or dry 

 ashes round the collars of the plants. 

 Crowns of Rhubarb, Seakale. Chicory, 

 and Asparagus for forcing ought to 

 be covered — not that they would suf- 

 fer from frost, but to facilitate the 

 lifting of them when wanted to 

 place in the forcing -pits, &c. Be- 

 sides, it is better for all plants not to 

 be taken suddenly from frost to heat. 

 All roots left in the soil, to be lifted as 

 wanted, are better covered to exclude 

 frost. This applies to Parsnips, Jeru- 

 salem Artichokes, and Potatoes left 

 in the ground to retain the flavour of 

 the earth : the so-called "new" ones 

 especially are liable to injury from 

 frost, and the drier they are kept 

 the better. Cauliflower and Broccoli 

 turning in for use should be looked 

 over frequently, so that none be 

 left in the frost. Pit -frames, out- 

 houses, empty glass-structures (orchard- 

 houses especially), may be turned to 

 good account now. Endive, Lettuce, 

 and all other tender plants coming 

 into use, should have the aid of pro- 

 tectors. Young well-hardened plants 

 for spring use will take little harm if 

 the ground on which they are growing 

 is dry and healthy. Ashes may be 

 strewn along the rows of Peas and 

 Beans which have been recently sown 

 and are vegetating. More Peas may 

 be sown on a border this month if 

 there are not other means of raising 

 them under protection. Earth - up 

 Celery when weather allows : use litter 

 or Fern as protection during severe 

 frost, but it should be taken off as 

 soon as a thaw sets in. A quantity of 

 Celery, Leeks, and similar vegetables 

 may be heeled in for use by the rub- 

 bish-heap, — and labour may then be 

 saved in making the littery covering 

 as orderly as in the well-kept garden. 

 Wheeling of manure should have at- 



