cultivated when planted in rows three feet apart, plants six inches apart. Two year old 

 plants slimild be used, or sow seed and thin out as they advance. 



Those who liavc the convenience of a greenhouse, grapery, or even a spare frame, may 

 forward a few dozen pots of sweet corn, peas, or dwarf beans. By doing so, a dish or two of 

 these vegetables may l)e had several days in advance of the regular crop. The corn should 

 be put out in the ground when about a foot high, the peas and beans when grown three 

 inches. Sow the peas thickly over the surface of the pots, and, when planting them out, 

 separate them gently in the drill. They should be staked at once, whicji will protect them 

 from frosty nights. The above is the most convenient method of forwarding jjeas. It is 

 necessary that all crops thus forwarded should be thoroughly inured to the weather, by 

 exposure several days before final transplanting. 



IIardy FuuiT. — The extreme severity of the weather that we have experienced has caused 

 great destruction among plants, and much anxiety is felt with regard to its effect on the 

 coming fruit season. These visitations ought to impress fruit growers with the great necessity 

 for close observation in ascertaining the most eligil)le conditions and localities for orchards. 

 Attention should be particularly directed to insure thoSe conditions that will favor thorough 

 ripening of the wood in the fall ; for we may rely upon it that this is the most important, 

 and, indeed, the only practicable preventive against injury from severe frosts. It is well 

 known that many plants which, in their native climates, can endure very low temperatures, 

 are, under our artificial treatment, unable to withstand the slightest frost. We are told 

 that in their natural condition the young wood of these plants is so thoroughly matured as 

 to be as brittle as glass, even to the extreme points of the shoots. This is a most interesting 

 question to fruit cultivators, and, although practice points to various expedients that will 

 assist maturation of the wood, there is no single requirement so essential, or so productive 

 of permanent benefit as thorough drainage, and consequent ventilation of the soil. 



Low, sheltered situations are unsuitable for fruit trees, not only from a tendency to 

 prolong growth in autumn, but also from the liability of early action in spring exciting 

 the flower-buds, and rendering them liable to be destroyed by frosts. It might also be 

 worthy of consideration whether orchard trees are not generally planted too thin. By 

 planting 18 or 20 feet apart, instead of 30 and 40 feet, the foliage would in time completely 

 shade the ground, pi'event surface radiation of moisture, and the same amount of trees 

 could be set in smaller space. Tlie entire surface of the ground could then be annually 

 mulched by a top dressing of manure, and early in spring, and at intervals during summer, 

 the whole ground kept loose and porous by slight diggings with suitable forks. 



Raspberries. — The formation of young i)lantations may now be proceeded \vith. A deep 

 friable soil, on a gravelly bottom, with the surface gently sloping, is the most suitable for 

 them. On undrained and retentive subsoils the canes never ripen so as to be sufiiciently 

 productive. They cannot flourish in soil destitute of lime. This mineral enters largely 

 into the composition of the cane, and frequent applications of it are required to maintain a 

 healthy and productive plantation. They should be planted in rows four feet apart and 

 two feet from jilant to i)laut, trained on a trellis, as recommended in the last number of 

 the Horticulturist. The usual method of tying them up in bundles to single stakes 

 prevents the proper development of the plants, and is ruinous both to the quantity and 

 quality of this most desirable fruit. Old plantations should receive a top dressing of bone 

 dust, lime, guano, or rotted yard manure, forked slightly into the soil. If they are trained 

 to single stakes, thin each plant to four or five good canes ; trained to a trellis they should 

 be tied about nine inches apart. 



Strawberries. — Fork over, or otherwise cultivate between the rows, previously spreading 

 on a dressing of superphosphate of lime. Tlie stirring will be a necessary operation from 

 the consolidation of the soil Ity tlie long-continued covering of snow. Prepare for new 

 plantations by trenching eighteen inches deep, incoriwrating plenty of manure. Fine fruit 

 cannot be produced unless the soil is deep, rich, and free of stagnated water in the subsoil. 

 The roots must be allowed to descend, in order that sufiicient nutriment may be available 

 at the ripening season. The reverse of this produces those small, flavorless fruits which 

 unfortunately are the rule, instead of, as might be, the exception. 



In planting, it must be borne in mind that a due portion of staminate plants are indis- 

 pensable to success. Upon the whole, it is a question whether any variety can excel 

 Hovey's seedling for general purposes. The Cusliing, Boston Pine, and Buist's Prize are 

 considered good staminate sorts. 



Grapery. — In cold graperies, the vines will be starting to grow towards the end of the 

 month. It is well to retard them as long as possible. The worst feature in cold houses is 

 tlie liability to injury from late frosts after growth has commenced. It is therefore advisable 



