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GARDENERS' CHRONICLE 



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Work for January in the Garden 



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SAMUEL GOLDING | 



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IN gardening, January is generally regarded as the 

 month for stock-takuig, for Mature has called a halt 

 on the activities of outside work. As we cross the 

 threshold of the New Year, we have time to reflect upon 

 our activities in the garden during the year that is past, 

 and to plan for the season to come. We review our suc- 

 cesses with gratification, making notes of failures and 

 plans to avoid them in the future. 



It is most essential that we know the cause of our fail- 

 ures, otherwise they may be repeated. It may have been 

 that cettain soils or situations did not suit certain crops. 

 If the ground has been well manured and still crops do 

 not thrive, but present an anaemic appearance, a good 

 dressing of lime often corrects this condition, especially 

 if the land is somewhat sour. It may have been through 

 lack of fertilizer; then the cure is obvious. 



Perhaps we sowed some things too early or too thick in 

 our hot beds or frames, with the result that our plants 

 became drawn and weak from overcrowding. Thus 

 precious time is lost while the plants are recuperating, 

 after being planted in their final quarters. Some plants 

 have a bad habit of prematurely bolting or running to 

 seed if sown too early. Celery, for instance, is inclined 

 to this evil. The sowing of some other crop may have 

 been delayed too long, thereby losing the time which was 

 necessary to bring it to that state of perfection desired 

 when the season of harvest and storing is with us once 

 again. 



We are often at the mercy of the elements so that fail- 

 ures of certain crops have been unavoidable, but whatever 

 the causes of failure, it is good policy to ponder over them 

 so that it will be easier to avoid them in the future. 



If we expect success to crown our efforts during tb'- 

 coming year, there are two most important points to be 

 observed; that is, to do things well from seed time until 

 harvest and to commence at the proper period. Owing 

 to the diversity of the climatic conditions which prevail 

 in this great land, one can only give approximate dates 

 for garden operations. Much must be left to the judg- 

 ment of the planter as to the conditions that prevail in 

 his locality. 



To the amateur (for whose guidance these notes are 

 primarily intended) it may seem somewhat incongruous 

 to speak of work in the garden at this date, when ap- 

 parently all that goes to make our garden is slumbering 

 under its blanket of snow, and King Frost reigns supreme. 

 However, we can accomplish much that has a great bear- 

 ing upon the work ahead. 



That fascinating hardy annual, the Spring catalog, ar- 

 rives. The lists of many seed houses are not only works 

 of art, but encvclopjedias of all the wants of the garden 

 from fanuarv to December. And now is the time to work 

 on that most' important task, the seed order, which should 

 receive our earliest attention. Great strides have been 

 made in all departments of horticulture during the last 

 decade, and manv worth while novelties, both in yeg- 

 etables'and in flowers, are introduced through the medium 

 of the Spring catalog. 



A novelty, however, does not always mean that it is 

 something super-excellent, or more attractive than some 

 of the well-tried varieties. It is advisable to refrain from 

 banking on novelties, and to rely for our main crops on 



the well-tried and proved varieties, although we should 

 endeavor to try out the new ones, especially those offered 

 by reputable firms. 



From the reports of the various exhibitions held in dif- 

 ferent parts of the country, one can gather that the season 

 of 1920 was very encouraging from the growers' point 

 of view. The Fall blooming plants in the herbaceous 

 borders were very fine. Gladioli and dahlias were a great 

 feature, and I think one would be safe in predicting a 

 great influx into the ranks of dahlia enthusiasts during 

 1921. These flowers apparently have made many new 

 friends ; in fact, the same can be said of all flowers 

 throughout the season from Spring to Fall. 



John Gerarde said, "If delight may provoke men's la- 

 bor, what greater delight is there than to behold the earth, 

 as appareled with plants, as with a robe of embroidered 

 worke, ,>et with orient pearles, and garnished with great 

 diversitie of rare and costly jewels." These words apply 

 with singular force today. Ng^ work on the herbaceous 

 borders, shrubberies, and flower gardens can be planned, 

 and color and planting schemes worked out on paper. Any 

 plants which you contemplate securing should be ordered 

 to save valuable time later on, and that your supply may 

 be sure during the rush of the planting season. Also 

 secure your supply of flower stakes, pea brush and bean 

 poles. Look over the stock of tools, insecticides, spray- 

 ing materials, fertilizers and various sundries that need 

 replenishing. 



Regarding vegetables, our efforts during the early part 

 of the month are mainly directed to conservation rather 

 than production. The stocks of roots, tubers, vegetables 

 and fruits stored will require inspection, and those show- 

 ing signs of decay should be removed. The less fortunate 

 who have no regular storage cellar possibly have to con- 

 tend with the heat from a furnace, making a too dry 

 atmosphere with the subsequent shrivelling and deteriora- 

 tion unless great care is exercised. 



Celery, that has been banked up with litter and dry 

 leaves outside, may have the tops exposed to allow the 

 moisture to escape. Should we get a break of mild and 

 open weather, take care to cover again in the evening. 



Where it is possible and greenhouse space available, 

 successions of crops of beets, stump-rooted carrots, 

 spinach, cauliflowers and salads can be sown in a temper- 

 ature of 40° to 45°, for they quickly respond to the rising 

 lemperature and increase of sunlight. They are always 

 much appreciated when produced. String beans and to- 

 matoes are profitable crops to .grow, but require more 

 heat than the above-mentioned. 



When growing early vegetables, one has always to take 

 into consideration the room at his disposal, and the use 

 that will be called upon for it during early Spring. I 

 cannot too strongly emphasize the fact that there is no 

 gain in an early start, unless you have the room to keep 

 your plants growing, and will not have to overcrowd at 

 a later date. Do not let enthusiasm get the better of good 

 judgment. 



Continue to bring in more asparagus, rhubarb, seakale, 

 and chicory to force. If these roots are lifted in the late 

 Fall, and stored in a cool place, even where a little frost 

 can reach them, the^' will respond more readily when 



