January 



keep a few boxes in use for the purpose in a plant-house or pit, 

 sowing one or two at a time as required, and taking care not to sow 

 wastefully. The seed may be sown out of doors all the summer, on 

 a shady border, but nothing beats boxes or large pans under glass. 

 Mustard and Cress should never be sown in the same row or the 

 same pan^ but separately, because they do not grow at the same pace, 

 and the former may be fit for use a week or so before the latter. Do 

 not be content to use Rape, or any other substitute, but sow the 

 genuine article. 



Peas may be sown in open quarters, and the driest and warmest 

 places must be selected. It is next to impossible to grow them too 

 well ; for if the haulm runs up higher than usual, the produce will be 

 the finer. Remember, too, that if you dig deep trenches and put in 

 a lot of manure for Peas, the ground is so far prepared for Broccoli, 

 Celery, and late Cauliflowers to follow ; for the early-sown Peas will 

 be off the ground in time for another paying crop. As everybody 

 wants an early dish of Peas, sow one of the forward varieties in pots, 

 or on strips of turf laid grass-side downwards in boxes having movable 

 bottoms that can be withdrawn by a dexterous hand when the trans- 

 fer is made from frames to the open ground. Troughs for Peas can 

 be made in very little time out of waste wood that may be found in 

 the yard ; or a few lengths of old zinc spouting blocked up at the ends 

 will answer admirably. In the absence of such aids, common flower- 

 pots Answer pretty well. The seed should have the shelter of a 

 frame or pit, but should have the least possible stimulus from arti- 

 ficial heat, except in cases where there is all the skill at command to 

 promote very early production. 



Potatoes are prized when they come in early, and may be for- 

 warded on beds of leaves and exhausted hot-beds by covering with 

 light rich soil, and employing old frames for protection, with litter 

 handy in case of frost. For this early work select the earliest 

 Kidneys and Rounds ; the main-cropping varieties are not quick 

 enough. 



Radishes are more or less in demand for the greater part of the 

 year. The early crops are, however, especially valued', and there 

 need not be the least difficulty in producing a supply. A half-spent 

 hot-bed, or, indeed, any position that affords shelter and warmth, will 

 answer admirably for raising this crop until it may be trusted to a 

 suitable position in the open. 



Sea Kale may be covered with pots or a good depth of litter, or 

 a combination of pots and litter. This should be done early, as at 



153 



