MONTHLY CALflJTDAR. 137 



t-0 the front. On ttis bank, place a row of seakale-roots, laying tliem almost 

 flat, RS this admits of covering them, without an undue thickness of soil. When 

 the first row of roots are laid, cover them with a few inches of soil, and make 

 another bank 6 inches from the fu'st, on which lay another row of roots ; and 

 so proceed till the frame is full. To maintain the temperature of the bed, 

 the same directions will apply as mentioned elsewhere ; but the hght should 

 be excluded entirely from the frame, otherwise it will not acquire that white- 

 ness and delicac}'' for which forced seakale is valued. 



460. For the purpose of growing very early potatoes, nothing is more 

 suitable than a broad roomy melon-pit, an excellent use to make of it. The 

 potatoes will be fit for use about the time for planting out the melons. About 

 the beginning of January, let some middling-sized tubers be laid in a warm 

 and moderately dry place, well exposed to the light : here they will make 

 short plump shoots by the time the bed is ready. Prepare a quantity of dung- 

 sufficient to make a bed 3 feet 6 inches in depth. By the end of the month 

 the bed will be ready ; then lay on 3 inches of soil, and place the potatoes 

 15 inches apart, covering them with 6 inches more of soil. Some seed of the 

 scarlet short-top I'adish may be scattered over the surface. As these begin tv^ 

 grow, give abundance of fresh air in mild weather, so that neither potatoes 

 nor radishes be drawn up ; and as they come up, remove the radishes from 

 immediately about the crowns of the potatoes : earthing up the latter will not 

 be required. The radishes will draw in March ; the potatoes early in May, 

 Some prefer growing radishes in a separate frame, by making up a bed two 

 feet in height, on which a 2-hght frame is placed. Over the hotbed place 

 about 10 inches of loamy soil, on which the radishes ai-e sown broadcast or 

 in rows, the former being preferred : press the seed in with the back of the 

 rake. This may be done from the beginning of January to ]\Iarch ; but if 

 begun very early, a little auxiliary heat, by means of linings, is required as 

 that of the bed declines. When potatoes are grown in a frame, the treatment 

 is much the same as before ; but some grow them very successfully in this 

 manner : — The frame being placed on a level piece of ground, the soil within 

 is dug oiit to the depth of 2 feet, and banked round the outside of the 

 frame. The pit thus formed is then filled with prepared dung ; on this 3 

 inches of soil is placed ; then the potatoes, then 6 inches more soil. The 

 potatoes, when planted, should be just starting into growth ; but the shoots 

 should never be more than half an inch from the tuber, or they do not grow 

 so strong. It is advisable to pick off" some of the shoots ; three on each tuber 

 is sufficient, 



461, Early carrots may be grown as directed for radishes : a bed two 01 

 three feet high, about 10 inches of soil, which should be perfectly sweet, and 

 free from the larvae of insects : a bushel of pounded chalk mixed with it will 

 be advantageous ; the early-horn being the best for early culture ; but, as the 

 seed is very light, and hangs together, it requires, for the purpose of 

 separating it, to be rubbed up in a peck or so of tolerably dry soil, which will 

 help to bury it when sown, u.sing the rake to press it in. When up, and suf- 



