iSyi.] 



CALENDAR. 



575 



kept in reserve for Leeks, Celery, Let- 

 tuce, Cauliflower, &c., as they are 

 likely to be grown next year on ground 

 now in crop. Brussels Sprouts and Late 

 Broccolis stand till far in the season, and 

 come in well for some of the more im- 

 portant crops. Changing the crops as 

 much as possible, we maintain, is of 

 much importance. Though a season 

 t>r two may not show any difference in 

 well-worked ground, which has been 

 well supplied with manure, in time it 

 tells, when crop after crop of the same 

 kind is grown, roots especially, and 

 Potatoes not the least. In a district 

 in this locality, where Carrots are grown 

 extensively and good, the cultivators 

 never attempt to grow their crops two 

 years running ; experience has taught 

 them a lesson. In a cottager's garden 

 near this. Potatoes, after being many 

 years grown on the same ground, refused 

 to grow ; change of seed and trenching 

 did no good ; but we have planted (for 

 experiment) the ground this season 

 with Kale, Leeks, Brussels Sprouts, 

 and Cabbage, and the crops are ex- 

 cellent both for bulk and quality. 

 We agree on the whole with " the 

 Squire's Gardener's " remarks as to 

 cropping (see last month's 'Gardener'). 

 Plenty of manure and command of 

 labour will surmount many difficulties, 

 while in its absence there are many 

 failures. Market-gardeners' motto is, 

 *' Plenty in and plenty out." They are 

 aware that they could not make ends 

 meet if manure and labour were not at 

 command. Having been in my youth 

 employed in market establishments 

 around London, I know that they are 

 the most systematic class of cultivators 

 with whom I am acquainted, and rota- 

 tion of crops and double cropping at 

 the same time they practise almost to 

 a fault ; but their highly cultivated 

 ground refuses to grow nothing, even 

 though through economy they may plant 

 one crop of Lettuce, Cauliflower, or 

 French Beans, on the ground where 



FORCING D 



Pines. — Early autumn potted suckers 

 that are well rooted, and wintering in 

 dry light pits or houses, with bottom- 

 heat supplied by hot-water pipes, will 

 require to be carefully examined at 

 intervals, and watered before they be- 

 come "dusty" dry. Although it is 

 undesirable to excite these to much 

 prowth at present, yet if allowed to 

 become too dry and stunted, there is 



a crop of the same kind was just 

 cleared off. They are not like growers 

 who have to wait till the crop is taken 

 off in small quantities, and a great 

 many successions are necessary to give 

 supplies as they are wanted in private 

 establishments. Market-gardening is 

 more allied to farming than kitchen- 

 gardening in private e3tablit«hments. 

 Asparagus ground may now be i^re- 

 pared; deep sandy loam, well manured, 

 and a well-drained position, suit this 

 vegetable. In heavy wet soil good 

 heads are produced, but often in it 

 (through the crowns not ripening in 

 autumn) the roots die off. Endive, 

 Lettuce, and Broccoli, not protected, 

 will be in danger of frost. If taken 

 into sheds, cellars, or anywhere, they 

 will keep for some time, and be of 

 great value for some time to come. 

 Turf-pits, or pits sunk in the ground 

 with wooden covers, are of much value 

 at this season, and can be easily made 

 by any handy labourer. If weather 

 should stop operations in the ground, 

 roots should be looked over, large 

 labels made for crops in the vegetable 

 garden, pea-stakes may be made and 

 packed flatly and closely together, 

 manure and soils turned over, gravel 

 sifted and prepared for walks, seeds 

 cleaned when worth the labour (and 

 as it is so difficult to get some things 

 true, it is in such cases worth while 

 savingsomeof them). Everything ought 

 to be done to keep labour forward in 

 spring. Successions of Rhubarb, Sea- 

 kale, and Chicory should be taken in 

 as formerly advised. Sowings of small 

 Salad may now be kept up where there 

 is heat of any kind ; fresh air, however, 

 is necessary to give it flavour. Sea- 

 Kale, Rhubarb, and anything in the 

 groimd to be lifted, should be protected 

 with ashes or litter. Where leaves, 

 manure, or other material is used for 

 heat, look well after it in changeable 

 weather. 



M. T. 



EPAETMENT. 



more likelihood of a good many of them 

 starting prematurely into growth in 

 spring ; and this must be guax'ded 

 against by watering those that require 

 it at intervals. This applies most 

 forcibly to a time of cold weather, when 

 more firing is required to keep up the 

 proper temperature, which should now be 

 at its minimum, the days being generally 

 sunless and short. AVe have wintered 



