92 



THE GARDENER. 



[Feb. 



REVIEW. 



The Gardener's Year-Book and Almanac for 1873. By Robert 

 Hogg, LL.D., 171 Fleet Street, London. 

 This Annual is more instructive than ever. In addition to a full descriptive 

 list of notable new fruits and flowers of 1872, there is the most complete illus- 

 trated report on Peas that ever appeared. Besides the usual useful tables and 

 well-written Garden Calendar, there is much information useful to the gardener. 

 An additional feature are several w^oodcuts illustrative of some of the chief 

 mansions and cjardens of Ene;land. 



KITCHEN-GARDEN. 



The continuous rams have still kept 

 work on land almost at a standstill ; 

 and we have to repeat that every dry 

 hour should be taken advantage of. 

 Ground on which Broccoli and other 

 winter crops have grown, w^ill now be 

 getting vacant, and it should be man- 

 ured, trenched, or dug without delay. 

 We have been obliged to dig up plots 

 without manure, as wheeling has been 

 impracticable. Applications of manure- 

 water and mulching may have to do 

 instead, should a dry spring and sum- 

 mer be experienced. Peas may now 

 be sown in boxes under protection, or 

 in the open ground ; but mice will 

 have to be looked after. Earlier sow- 

 ings, whether they are to remain under 

 glass or be planted out, should not be 

 allowed to draw up weakly for want of 

 air and light. Broad Beans wdll also 

 require attention in a similar manner. 

 When sowing Peas on wet land, it is 

 well to keep them above the level of the 

 surrounding soil, and cover them over in 

 ridges ; those coming through, may have 

 old Mushroom-manure, leaf-mould, or 

 dry soil put over them. If frost should 

 set in, crops nearly finished may have 

 the remains lifted and placed closely to- 

 gether, so that space may be turned up 

 to the action of the weather. A bed 

 of early Horn Carrots may be sown in 

 a warm position, using light sandy soil 

 on the surface ; they will succeed those 

 in frames. Plant more Potatoes where 

 they can be protected. Sow Eadishes 

 between the rows, which will be used 

 up before they are in the way of the 

 Potatoes. Onions and Parsnips may be 

 sown by the end of the month, should 

 the land be in nice "mealy" condition. 

 We still hold to the system of sowing 



Onions —in fact, everything else — in 

 drills ; and have a great objection to 

 sowing thickly, except on very poor 

 soil. Bat no plant can do well when 

 crowded in either rows or beds. Cauli- 

 flowers in frames may now be potted 

 and kept growing under protection, 

 till flt for planting out ; those under 

 handlights will i^equire plenty of air, 

 keejiing the surface well stirred. Stir 

 all surfaces among growing crops, 

 such as Cabbage, Lettuce, &c., with 

 prong, where it is practicable. Look 

 over roots in store when time can 

 be spared, taking all decaying ones 

 away. Get plenty of Pea and other 

 stakes ready. Horse- Radish, Seakale, 

 and Rhubarb, may all be planted ; they 

 all will do well in deeply-worked soil, 

 well manured. Pieces of the two former, 

 about 6 inches long, may be placed in 

 rows ; plenty of room must be allowed 

 for the luxuriant foliage. Where Rhu- 

 barb has been forced, it should not be 

 turned out, as many of the crowns would 

 probably rot, even though protected. 

 To increase the stock, single crowns 

 may be divided, and potted or placed 

 in boxes of soil ; and when there is no 

 danger from frost, the plants can be 

 planted out in good ground. Keep 

 up supplies of Rhubarb by taking in a 

 few roots w^eekly till it is growing in 

 the open ground. Seakale, Asparagus, 

 and Chicory, may also be taken in as re- 

 quired. Keep up supplies of Tarragon, 

 Mint, Sorrel, &c., by taking a few roots 

 in weekly. Keep them cool and airy 

 when they are fit for use. Mushroom- 

 beds should be made as required : 

 smaller beds made frequently are gene- 

 rally more serviceable than when large 

 beds are made at long intervals. French 



