For January, 1922 



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21 



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I Work for the Month in the Garden 



I SAMUEL GOLDING 



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WK have now crossed the threshold of a new year, 

 and the thoughts of garden lovers go forward in 

 anticipation to the joys and pleasures of achieve- 

 ment during the coming season. The history of horti- 

 culture during recent years has been remarkable for the 

 improvements made in many types of flowers and vege- 

 tables, and the ever increasing- interest displayed by the 

 general public towards home gardening, to which fact 

 the various societies atid garden clubs that are being- 

 formed throughout the country, bear eloquent testimony. 

 They are conducive to that which is good in the advance- 

 ment of horticulture; their e.xhibitions not only promote 

 a wider knowledge of flowers and plants, but are also 

 the "happy hunting ground" for the amateur and pr(j- 

 fessional who is ever seeking for that which marks an 

 improvement. 



The pleasures of gardening are not confined to a fleet- 

 ing month or two but extend throughout the year, even 

 when our gardens are wrapped in sleep. A retrospective 

 view of the year's efforts and an examination of notes 

 taken at the various shows will now- be in order. At 

 this time the really successful grower will be forming- 

 plans for the coming season's campaign. Notes written 

 last year for future reference will be of the utmost im- 

 portance and w'ill remind us forcibly of any failures of 

 crops, or of any particular vegetables which proved their 

 worth ; of varieties of flowers whose colors niav nut 

 have been of the desired shades, or of others that deserve 

 to be grown increasingly : of other out-standing features 

 noted so as to gain advantage of past experience and 

 apply it during the following season. 



'Ilie note book does so much also to simplify the work 

 on the seed order which must now- be attended to. Some 

 varieties of vegetables previously grown may not have 

 found favor with the i)erson in charge of the culinary 

 department. Take for instance, the case of a grower 

 sowing seeds of red, yellow-, and white onions, when 

 \Miite Globe alone are appreciated. This is a conin-ion 

 occurrence, and if a record is kept, it can sometimes be 

 eliminated and the value of the crops increased. 



It is an excellent plan to make out a complete list of 

 seeds, plants, fertilizers, tools, spraying materials, and 

 anv other supplies which may be needed, and to order 

 them earlv so that they will be on hand when actuallx' 

 required. Delavs often cause disappointrnents, especially 

 so if the stock of some particular variety we have decided 

 ujion. is short and quickly sold out. 



The beginner will be w-ell advised to commence with 

 those varieties which are known to thrive in his locality. 

 .-\s for novelties, it is right to try them, but not to bank 

 on them. Older and well tried standard varieties can 

 generally be relied upon. Procure your seed from a 

 re])utable seedsman : the initial out-lay may be a trifle 

 more but the high germinating quality more than coiu- 

 pensates. for they can be sown sparingly with greater 

 confidence as to the final results. 



The stock of vegetables and fruit will need attention, 

 and all specimens showing signs of decay should be re- 

 moved. Manv have to store their crops in cellars where 

 there is the heat of a furnace to contend with, if the 

 space is limited. This causes a too dry atmosphere, 

 which should be avoided. Care in such cases should 



he exercised and stocks of dahlias and other bulbs should 

 have frequent inspections to prevent shrivelling and con- 

 sequent loss of vitality. 



Should we have a spell of mild weather, it would make 

 It possible to remove the covering and expose the tops 

 of celery, which is wintering outside. This will allow 

 the moisture to evaporate, but celery must be protected 

 at night in case of a sudden fall of temperature. 



Continue to bring in a succession of rhubarb, seakale, 

 chicory, and asparagus for forcing. They should be 

 kept in a cool place, and will then respond quickly when 

 brought into heat. Seakale and chicory must lie grown 

 where the light is excluded to be blanched perfectly. 

 Care and attention will be needed regarding the watering 

 that a moist, growing atmosphere may be maintained. 



Mushroom beds that show that their vitality is becom- 

 ing impaired, may be watered with tepid water in which 

 a handful of con-imon salt has been dissolved. This often 

 has an invigorating effect upon the beds. Use a fine 

 rose can when watering the beds. We can now continue 

 to gather material for new beds, which is an easy matter 

 when there is an abundance of horse-droppings. Collect 

 enough at one time to make beds of the desired dimen- 

 sions, which should be turned over daily to sweeten the 

 mass thoroughly. This can only be accomplished when 

 the violent heat has subsided and the strong traces of 

 ammonia have disappeared. Take care to beat the beds 

 down firmly, and after a few days, they will be ready 

 for spawning. The next step is to cover the beds with 

 some good loam, pressing it down with the back of a 

 spade. Mushrooms can be looked for about six weeks 

 later. 



Apply winter spray to fruit trees as advised in last 

 month's calendar, and push on with the pruning of the 

 orchard when the weather permits. Evergreens and the 

 flowering shrubs sulTer from the ravages of scale and 

 other pests, if they are not carefully examined and 

 sprayed. Be careful to shake snow from over-weighted 

 conifers and evergreens during heavy falls. 



February. 

 The growing of early ve.getables under glass demands 

 attention although the early days of February may be 

 regarded as almost too soon for the person who has not 

 the facility that the greenhouse affords. But the length- 

 ening days with increasing sunshine serve to remind us 

 that the growing season is once more rapidly approaching. 

 Therefore we should make all preparations to meet the 

 near demands. Where only pits and frames are avail- 

 able for early work, the preparation of materials for hot 

 beds is the first to occupy our time. This can be done 

 as soon as possible. Collect plenty of fresh, strawy, 

 stable manure and mix it with the same proportion of 

 forest leaves, oak or beech leaves preferred, owing to 

 their lasting qualities. This mixture should be turned 

 over thoroughly to ensure a steady heat. It is. of course, 

 important that the material be in proper condition when 

 used, which can be determined during the time of turning 

 or mixing. If the manure has been allowed to ferment 

 violently before being used for the hot-bed. it is not as 

 good as if it were fresh from the stable. Apply water 

 (Continued on page 23) 



