For February. 1922 



51 



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Work for the Month in the Garden 



SAMUEL GOLDING 



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BV this date all plans have been made. Stocks of 

 necessary seeds, tools, fertilizers, spraying materials, 

 and other sundries will soon be ordered ; mowing 

 machines overhauled so that there will be no delay to take 

 advantage of prevailing conditions, when we can, with 

 confidence, resume sowing. Although February may be 

 regarded by many as too early, owing to lack of artificial 

 heating arrangements, yet the longer days and brighter 

 sunshine remind us that the gardening season has opened 

 in earnest. Where abundant facilities are provided for 

 growing early vegetables and flowers, no time should be 

 lost. It is the aim and object of all growers to prolong 

 the season when fresh vegetables can be obtained, and if 

 one can produce them for the table even a few weeks 

 earlier than thev can be had from the open garden, they 

 are always appreciated and are more than worth the extra 

 labor involved. 



The greenhouse, pits, and frames are the mediums 

 through which we can achieve this desirable end, whether 

 plants are grown in them to maturity, or whether they are 

 merely used to give the plants a start, to be afterwards 

 planted outside to finish their growth, therei)y gaining 

 much valuable time. Where space is limited, some cau- 

 tion is necessary in starting seedlings, unless it is that 

 one particuar crop is specialized in. Where many sub- 

 jects are grown, the question of proper room for develop- 

 ment becomes a vital problem. To insure success, one 

 must always endeavor to keep the plants moving from the 

 seedling stage to maturity, but the grower is governed 

 by the local conditions which confront him. 



If abundant fermenting materials for the hotbeds have 

 been collected, and the pits filled as advised in the last 

 issue of the Chroxici.e, they should be in perfect state 

 for seeding and planting before February is passed. It 

 is necessary when making up a bed to have in mind its 

 particular function — if it is to raise a crop of beets, car- 

 rots, or cauliflower, which finish their growth where 

 planted. These will require a steady and lasting heat 

 which can be obtained by mixing a larger percentage of 

 oak or beech, leaves with the stable manure, and then cov- 

 ering this with a good compost, a depth of five to six 

 inches. If the hotbed is made up solely for raising plants, 

 then the bed should be covered with enough soil to absorb 

 the rank ammonia fumes, and prevent damage to the 

 tender seedlings from a too violent heat, which induces a 

 rapid germination and possible damping ofif, if not very 

 closely watched. 



Sow batches of horn carrots, beets, lettuce, spinach, 

 cauliflowers, cabbages, radishes, and small salads. Sow 

 in pans or flats onions, leeks, tomatoes, egg plants, pep- 

 pers, and celery for early work. 



Continue to bring in successional batches of vegetables 

 for forcing, which quickly respond to the influence of a 

 little heat at this time, their growth is very rapid if a 

 humid, growing atmosphere is maintained. 



]\Iake up additional mushroom beds as the old ones 

 show signs of exhaustion. Push on with any outside 

 work whenever the climatic conditions permit. Finish up 

 with all speed the pruning of fruit trees, and the Winter 

 spraying of trees and shrubs. The San Jose scale is very 

 partial to the lilac and it is advisable to keep a sharp look- 



out for it. Euonymus radican growing on walls is often 

 subject to attacks of this pest and should be sprayed as a 

 preventive measure. 



Give abundance of air, whenever it is possible, to plants 

 wintering in the cold frames. Remove the sash on mild 

 (lays ; i)ick oft" all decayed foliage ; keep the top soil loose 

 about the planted stock by going over with a small culti- 

 vator. Have on hand a good supply of covering material 

 in case of a spell of severe weather. 



This is a splendid time to sow sweet pea seed, for the 

 best results can be expected froiii seed sown now. Sow 

 in pots or flats, and place in a frame : after the seed germi- 

 nates, grow on as cool as possible, to develop strong, vig- 

 orous root action and sturdy plants for setting out when 

 the ground is fit for their reception. Use fairly light soil 

 in the flats so they can be easily shaken out with a min- 

 imum injury to the roots when planting season is here. 



]\I.\RCH 



The advent of ^larch means busy da} s for the gardener. 

 All available space under glass will be doing its maximun: 

 amount of service. A full line of vegetables and flowers 

 ma}- be started at once with every confidence of the ulti- 

 mate results. In addition to the above mentioned varie- 

 ties, dwarf peas and potatoes may be planted, and succes- 

 sions of the very early ones sown when necessary, so as 

 to maintain a perfect supply. It is a most unsatisfactory 

 state of affairs to have a glut at one period, to be followed 

 by famine. 



The raising of plants for Sunmier bedding will demand 

 mimediate attention. Propagate cuttings of geraniums, 

 fuchias, lantana, heliotrope, coleits, ageratum, and other 

 stock on hand. .Sow as early as you can, seeds of 

 Begonia gracilis and scmpcrflorcns. As the seeds are 

 very minute, they require a longer period to develop into 

 good sized jjlants for bedding than the average annuals. 



Sow Salvia splendcns. S. patens. S. azurca, S. farinacca 

 (while the last two are not really annuals, they thrive 

 well if treated as such), Bro'icallia speciosa, Celosia plu- 

 mosa, in its varied forms. These are a few of the most 

 important popular plants which take a longer period of 

 growth before they can be used for ornamental purposes 

 than do man\- other annuals. The average annual is a 

 fairly rapid growing subject and one must be guided as to 

 sowing by the probable date when their bloom will be 

 desired. If successions are required, they should be 

 started at the earliest opportunity. Many annuals do bet- 

 ter when sown outside on the place where they are to 

 bloom. 



Seeds of Fall blooming perennials -can be sown now, 

 and they will make fine plants for setting out in the 

 border during j\Iay. Seeds of Delphinium in variety 

 should be sown soon to have bloom during the coming 

 Summer. The seedlings- of the hybrid types should be 

 planted together in blocks as they have a wide range, and 

 varied shades of coloring. When grown together, it is 

 less difficult to select the more desirable ones as to color 

 and type. They can be lifted the following season and 

 planted in the flower garden ; the one year old plants are 

 most vigorous. Their wonderful spikes are one of the 

 glories of the garden during the early Summer days. 



