editor's table. 



otluT advniitapos Attonding rotation, it may lie remarkerl that tlic^re is a poneral ipnorance 

 of the subjt't-t, and a wide Held for uxiierinient in aseertaiiiini,' the kiii<l.s of ]phint.s heht 

 suited to succeed each other, as our present systems are founded more upon couveuienco 

 than science. 



It is very evident, however, that crops cultivated for their seeds and fniit, as peas, corn, 

 beans, tomatoes, epg-i)lant, &c., should be followed by those grown for their leaves and roots, 

 as cabbages, spinach, beets or carrots ; the seeds of j)lants contain a larger portion of mine- 

 ral mattei-s than the leaves, consequently there is a greater consumption of the inorganic 

 substances of the soil. 



Persevere in turning over the soil, and presenting new surfaces to be acted upon by the 

 atmosphere. Even when the ground is frozen six or eight inches deep, it has been found 

 benelicial to turn it over in cuLcs with crowbai"s and pickaxes. Tlie most adhesive clayey 

 soils can thus be rendered as friable, and admit of as early working as those of a loamy 

 nature; their latent powers of action are drawn out and rendered available for the purjioses 

 of vegetation. 



Preparations for cropping should now be commenced by making hotbeds for raising plants 

 and furwartling early crops. Asparagus is a useful early vegetable, and its natural season 

 can readily be anticipated by forcing in frames, llothe'ls are usually made with fresh 

 manure, and much of their efficiency depends upon the piepai-ition of the material. It 

 should first be thrown loosely into a rounded heap ; in a few days decomposition will be 

 active and heat generated. It should now 1)0 carefully turned over and separated, mixing 

 it thoroughly, and thrown together as before. This turning must be repeated as often as is 

 necessary to prevent its heating to excess, which is indicated by its dry, charred-like ajipeai- 

 anco in the centre ; when in this state it should receive a thorough soaking of water. When 

 violent fermentation declines, it is ready for use. To produce an equal and gradual heat, 

 care must be exercised in building, that it may be of equal firmness ; pressure retards de- 

 composition, the fresher the material, therefore, the finiier must it be put together. The 

 making of hotbeds is apparently a simple process, yet few take the trouble to do it properly. 

 Leaves of oak, beech, or chestnut-trees make an excellent hotbed ; they decay slowly, and 

 give heat for many months. A very slight warmth is sufficient to force asparagus, a bed of 

 manure two feet deep will answer; cover with four or five inches of soil, and lay the roots 

 close together, and spread two or three inches of dry soil over their tops. All the future 

 care is simply to give a little air in mild weather, and cover np closely on frosty nights with 

 straw mats, or other suitable protection. Air is the best non-conductor ; endeavor to secure 

 a stratum of it between the covering and the roof. For this reason, a loose covering of straw 

 or hay, is more effectual in protection than half a dozen mats that lie compactly together. 



A crop of radishes may be secured by sowing the seed when the asj^aragus is planted. 

 Dwarf beans are also frequently raised in frames ; they require to be kept dry and warm. 

 Rhubarb and seakale are also suitable for this method of forcing — but they can be much 

 accelerated by simply covering the plants with old boxes or barrels out of doors, and in- 

 closing all with leaves or manure. 



Tomatoes, egg-plant, lettuce, capsicums, &c., are most convenient when sown in boxes ; 

 tliey can then be removed, when found desirable, to a difl'erent temperature, or for trans- 

 planting — the sooner they are removed (technically, pricked out), tlie more robust and bet- 

 ter rooted will they become; this applies to all plants that are transplanted when young. 



Fiiurr-TKEES. — Prepare for planting by digging out the holes at the earliest opportunity; 

 let them be deep and ample in every respect. In strong clayey subsoils, trenching with the 

 spade, or loosening with the subsoil plough, are indisijensable operations to success. It is 

 cheapest in the end to give all the care and attention to planting that experience and science 

 demand. Turn over the soil, and spread it out in sunny weather to dry and warm ; most 

 of the failures in spring planting are attributable to the fact that the atmosphere is consi- 

 deral)ly wanner than the soil, consequently the branches are excited before the roots are 

 able to supply them with sufficient nourishment for continued growth. 



tloosEBEUEiES. — In pruning these, thin out the centre of the bushes ; fruit is produced both 

 on the young wood, and from spurs on the older branches ; cut out closely all shoots re- 

 moved, and do not shorten the points of the young shoots unless your object is to produce 

 wood. 



CciiRANTS. — Black, should be treated similarly to the above. Red and white, fruit prin- 

 cipally on si)urs, therefore shorten all the shoots to encourage these, and keep up an annual 

 renovation by cutting out old barren branches, and supply their place with young shoots 

 from the base. Break, instead of cutting off all suckers from the roots, which will prevent 

 their increase. 



