MONTHLY CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS. 387 



south, is reliable nurseries, where such things can be procured ; 

 and as all such plants are at this season frozen solid in nurseries 

 at the nortli, orders for such things cannot usually be shipped 

 before April. Still, though something may be lost by this cir- 

 cumstance, if proper attention is given to planting, watering, 

 and shading (when practicable), good results may be obtained by 

 planting trees from the north, as it is always better to take 

 plants of any kind from a cold climate to a hot one, than from 

 a hot to a cold. 



Vegetable Garden. — Horse manure, leaves from the woods, 

 or refuse hop;? from the breweries, when they can be obtained, 

 ma}' be got together towards the latter part of the month, and 

 mixed and turned to get "sweetened" preparatory to forming 

 hot-beds. For detailed instructions see article on " Hot-beds." 

 Manure that is to be used for the crops should be turned and 

 broken up as fine as possible ; for it sliould be known that the 

 more completely manure of any kind can be mixed with the 

 soil, the better will be the crop, and, of course, if it is dug or 

 plowed in in large, unbroken lumps, it cannot be properly com- 

 mingled. Cauliflower, Cabbage, and Lettuce seeds for early- 

 crops should be sown in hot-bed or greenhouse this month. 



MARCH. 



Greenhouse and Flower Garden.— Brighter sunshine and 

 longer days will now begin to show their effects by a rapid 

 growth of plants in the gi'eenliouse, and also in those of the 

 parlor or window garden. Examine all plants that are grow- 

 ing vigorously and are healthy, and if the roots have struck to 

 the sides of the pot and matted the "baU" of earth, then they 

 must be shifted into larger sized pots. If this is long neglected 

 the plants are certain to suffer in consequence. For details of 

 operations see chapter on "Potting." The plants propagated 

 last month may now need shifting also, and propagation should 

 continue of all plants that are likely to be wonted. If propaga- 

 tion is put off much later, most plants would not be large enough 

 if needed for bedding purposes in the flower garden in summer. 

 The hardier kinds of annuals may now be sown. It is best 

 done in boxes, as recommended in chapter on "Propagation by 

 Seeds." Lawns may now be raked off and top-dressed (if it 

 was not done in the fall) with short manure or rich garden 



