1147 



KALENDAMAL INDEX. 



The almanac time in this kalendar is calculated for the meridian of London ; but as 

 a kalendar of nature is given for the metropolitan district, the almanac time may, in 

 every part of the empire, be varied to suit the local climate and vegetation. 



In general, other circumstances being alike, four days may be allowed for every de- 

 gree, or every 70 miles north or south of London : in spring, operations may be com- 

 menced earlier in that proportion southwards, and later northwards ; but in autumn the 

 reverse, and operations deferred as we advance southwards, and accelerated as we pro- 

 ceed to the north. In every case allowing a due weight to local circumstances. 



JANUARY. 



1. Kalendar of animated nature round 

 London. 



In the first week : shelless snails (Helix) and earth- 

 worms (Lumbricus terrestris) appear. 



Second week .- redbreast (Motacilla rubicola) 

 whistles, nuthatch (Sitta europeea) chatters, misel- 

 toe-thrush (Turdus viscivorus) sings, and wagtails 

 (Motacilla alba etflava) appear. 



Third week .- the common lark (Alauda arvensis) 

 congregates. 



Fourth week : snails (Helix hortensis) and slugs 

 (Limax ater et hyalinus) abound in sheltered parts of 

 gardens ; the hedge-sparrow (Motacilla modularis) 

 whistles, the large titmouse (Parus major) sings, and 

 flies appear on windows. 



2. Kalendar of vegetable nature round 

 London. 



In the first ueek : some plants accidentally in 

 flower ; and others, as the laurustinus, continued 

 from December. 



Second week : winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis), 

 Christmas-rose (Heleborus fmtidus) in flower, and 

 hazel (Corylus avellana) catkins beginning to ap- 

 pear; common honeysuckle (Lonicera periclyme- 

 num) buds begin to appear. 



Third iveek .- primrose (Primula vulgaris) flowers 

 in sheltered places ; daisy (Bcllis perennis) and 

 chickweed (Alsine media) begin to flower. 



Fourth week : mezereon (Daphne mezereon) begins 

 to flower ; and sometimes spurry (Spergula arvensis), 

 pansy (Viola tricolor), white scented violet (Viola 

 odorata), archangel (Lamium rubrum), and colts- 

 foot (Tussilago purpurea et odorata) show blossoms. 



3. Kitchen -garden. — Culinary vegeta- 

 bles. 



Sow (2071.) early frame and Charlton peas about 

 the beginning, and some dwarf marrowfats about 

 the end of the month. (3601.) Early mazagan and 

 long-pod beans in the first week (3616.) and the last. 

 (3617.) In the last fortnight, on a sheltered border, 

 sloping to the south, the hardy green Egyptian, 

 early and brown Dutch lettuces. (3970.) On a simi- 

 lar border, in the first and second week, early dwarf 

 short-topt radish ; in the last fortnight, the salmon- 

 colored. (3760.) 



Protect (2206.) by temporary coverings, newly 

 sown seeds, as lettuce, endive, celery, &c. 



Transplant (2079 ) strong plants of the brassica 

 tribe carrots, parsneps, &c, to run for seed. 



Dig (1864.) and trench (1870.) vacant ground in 

 dry weather. 



Prepare (1970.) composts and manures. Attend 

 to neatness (2359.), by picking up all dead leaves, 

 and removing all plants killed by the frost, kc. 

 {2355. to 2373.) 



Insects, $c (2276.) Destroy slugs, set traps for 

 mice, and remove all larva?, webs, eggs, &c. 



4. Hardy fruit department. 



Plant (2077.) fruit-trees in general, in open wea- 

 ther. 



Protect (2206.) newly-planted trees from frost and 

 drought by mulching ^2098.) ; fig-trees by fronds or 

 mats, if you have neglected this business in October. 

 (4861.) 



Prune (2110.) apples, pears, plums, cherries, goose- 

 berries, currants, and raspberries, preferring mild 

 weather, or only moderate frosts. Prune first such 

 trees as stand in compartments or borders that you 

 wish to dig or dress (2579.) ; apricots in the last fort- 

 night, if very mild. (4535.) Loosen the extremities of 

 the shoots of such trees as it is not proper to prune at 

 present, and wash them with soap-suds and sulphur, 

 or scalding water if insects are suspected. (2276.) 



Dig (1864.) and stir the earth round trees which 

 have been pruned ; trench ground intended for trees. 



Stake newly planted trees. (2098.) 



Clean trees from moss, mistletoe, &c. (2624.) Guard 

 against hares, by tarring or lime-whiting their 

 stems, or tying thorns round them. (2222.) 



Destroy (2280.) insects by washes, or hot water, 

 applied both to walls and trellises, and to the trees. 



Fruit-room and cellar. (2298.) Look over the 

 fruit in open boxes or shelves, and pick out decayed 

 or tainted ones ; but do not touch the casks of fruit 

 in the cellar. (2299.) 



5. Culinary hot-house department. 



Glass case without heat. (2686.) Sow radishes, 

 lettuce, carrots, small-salads (3399.) ; and peas and 

 beans for transplanting. (3616.) 



Hot-beds and pits. (2678.) Prepare for making up 

 hot-beds for early cucumbers (3178.) and melons 

 (3281.), if you have not begun in November. Sow 

 early radishes, and small-salading on slight hot-beds. 

 (4078.) Sow carrot on a slight hot-bed, to produce a 

 crop for drawing in April and May. (3400.) Kidney- 

 beans, peas, potatoes (3367. 3681. 3683.), &c. may be 

 sown and planted on slight hot-beds in small pots, to 

 fit them for transplanting. (7446.) Force asparagus 

 (3349.), sea-kale (3366.) and tart-rhubarb (3366.), on 

 hot-beds, or in pits, or in the open garden. (3398. and 

 4263.) 



Pinery. (2697.) Give air and water sparingly to 

 pines ; sow kidneybeans ; take in strawberries. 



Forcing-houses. (2940. and 3063.) Give air and 

 water, and, according to the progress your trees have 

 made, increase your stimuli of every description. 

 Attend to kidneybeans and strawberries, wherever 

 you have any stove-room. (3367. and 3338.) 



6. Flower-garden. — Open ground de- 

 partment. 



Plant (2077.) dried roots of border-flowers, ii' not 



