i8 7 o.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 549 



set in. Broccoli should be looked over frequently, and placed under 

 protection whenever it is fit for use, otherwise frost may destroy the 

 heads. Celery in damp localities will be more easily kept under cover 

 in sand than in the open ground. Turnips of useful size may also be 

 taken in and covered with a little straw, but kept cool ; or if they 

 are to be left in the ground, the soil should be drawn over the roots. 

 Some plant early Potatoes at this season, which must give extra 

 trouble and care. We never practised this system except in frames 

 and other structures; then the best of protection and care are necessary. 

 In damp low-lying localities the early planting of Potatoes is an 

 unnecessary evil. The tubers should not be placed in close heated 

 quarters, as they would soon exhaust themselves with premature 

 growth. Potatoes, when forced early, require very little heat either 

 at top or bottom, as they would grow all to leaf, but plenty of fresh 

 air and light should be admitted. Cold frosty air, when the tops 

 were above ground, would soon put an end to them. The tubers do 

 well when they are sprouted in boxes or pots, covered with light earth, 

 before planting them out. They succeed well on a bed of leaves, 

 with a little dung well mixed to keep a gentle steady heat. A foot 

 of sound healthy loam is necessary to rear good crops. 



If early Cucumbers are to be forced with dung heat, well mixed 

 material should soon be in hand to raise the young plants ; but where 

 manure, &c, is scarce, it is well to let early forcing alone for the pre- 

 sent, as much labour and material is necessary to keep up warmth 

 through the winter. Rhubarb, Seakale, Chicory, and Salads of all kinds, 

 require the same attention as formerly advised, and quantities should 

 be brought forward as demand requires, giving careful attention when 

 heat is supplied by fermenting material. We have seen crowns of 

 Rhubarb and Seakale destroyed when the manure has been neglected 

 for a single day. Rain often cools or suddenly raises the heat of the 

 material. The seed-list may now be got ready, and any kinds of 

 vegetables, however good, which have never done well in the locality, 

 should be kept out, and good useful kinds substituted. We have 

 often gained much information on this matter from cottagers, both in 

 regard to fruits and vegetables. All the seeds left over from last year, 

 which are fresh and good, should have a note made of their quantity, 

 as seeds on hand (especially of the Brassica tribe) are often better 

 than those newly bought. Making out a seed -list, if economy and 

 useful articles are objects, requires practice and forethought to do it 

 with success. Very "cheap " seeds often turn out very dear in the 

 end, to say nothing of disappointment. However, respectable vendors 

 are careful of their good name, and will not take undue advantage of 

 the inexperienced willingly. Mistakes .often happen with the most 



