MONTHLY CALENDAR. 181 



next three months ; and on his judgment in doing this much of the successful 

 cultivation depends. If he cover too much ground with early crops in these 

 three months, not only will great waste arise, but he will have forestalled the 

 space required for the rcain crops in April, May, and June, when some of the 

 most important crops are to be sown. He should make his calculations now, 

 so as to secure a constant succession of the various products as they are 

 required, but leaving little or nothing to run to waste. It is a good practice, 

 in going through the orchard, bush-fruit, and trees generally, to cut off all 

 spare wood at this season, assort them as to size and shape, and tie them up 

 in bundles ready for use as peasticks and other purposes. 



437. The crops to be got into the ground this month are peas and beans, in 

 the open ground or in cold frames ; also in frames, radishes, lettuces (the 

 black-seeded cos does well if sovra early), Walcheren or early Cape broccoli, 

 cauliflower ; on a slight hotbed, early horn-carrot and potatoes ; of course, 

 those will be earlier and better for the assistance of a slight hotbed of two 

 feet or so in height. A little parsley sown now on a slight hotbed will bo 

 useful for planting out early. A little celery for an early supply, and a little 

 cabbage also, should these be scarce, or to fill up in case of the main crop, if 

 thinned out by severe frosts. 



438. At this season it is necessary to be provided with mats or litter to 

 cover the glass, in case of sharp frost ; for, though most of these crops are 

 hardy, yet, when young and growing, they are not unlikely to be cut off 

 by frosts. They are also much strengthened and hardened by exposure to 

 the air in mild weather. A warm shower is also beneficial ; but too much 

 wet is injurious, especially in cold inclement winds. 



439. Early peas may be got in any time this month, if the weather per- 

 mits. Where the ground is tolerably porous and well drained, and a warm 

 border, well sheltered on the north, is available ; nothing more is required than 

 to sow them in rows, 5, 6, or more feet apart, the rows running north and 

 south ; for dwarf peas, 5 feet wiU suffice. About London it is the custom to 

 sow spinach between the rows of peas, the spinach coming off in time to be 

 replaced with broccoli before the peas are over ; but there is nothing lost by 

 sowing spinach apart, and leaving the spaces between the peas till the time 

 for planting potatoes, French beans, and other open-ground crops, taking 

 care to leave sufficient space for the main crops. In warm situations and light 

 soils, early peas will probaby have been sown in October. As they spear 

 through the ground, some light litter should be placed over them in fi'osty 

 weather, removing it in mild weather : by this treatment they will come in very 

 early. Another method of forwarding them is to have some turf cut very 

 thick, about eight inches wide, and of any convenient length. Make a groove 

 along the centre, and sow the peas moderately thick in it, cover them with rich 

 light soil, and place the turfs so planted under the stage of a greenhouse, or 

 in a pit or frame. Towards the end of March or beginning of April, plant 

 them out, burying the turfs completely in the jsoil. 



440. Another method is to prepare some shallow boxes, about six inches 



