February 



gaining power. Earnest digging, liberal manuring, and scrupulous 

 cleansing are the tasks that stand forward in the work of the month 

 as of pre-eminent importance. Many weeds, groundsel especially, 

 will now be coming into flower, and if allowed to seed will make 

 enormous work later on. It is well, however, to remember what 

 few people do remember, because the fact has not been pressed upon 

 their attention that weeds of all kinds, so long as they are not in 

 flower, are really useful as manure when dug into the soil. There- 

 fore a weedy patch is not of necessity going to ruin ; but if the weeds 

 are not stopped in time, they spread by their seeds and mar the order 

 of the garden. Dig them in, and their decay will nourish the next 

 crop. If early sowing is practised, and the earliest possible produce 

 of everything is aimed at, there must be always at hand the means of 

 protection by litter, spruce branches, mats, or other material, as 

 circumstances require. The vigilant gardener is not surprised by the 

 weather, but is always armed for an emergency. Read the notes for 

 January before proceeding further ; and in respect of what remains 

 undone, spare the necessity of reminders here. 



Frame Ground should be kept scrupulously clean and orderly. 

 Many things will require liberal watering now, but water must not be 

 carelessly given, because damp is hurtful during frosty weather. Take 

 care that the plants are not crowding and starving, or they will come 

 to no good. 



Beans may be sown both for early and main crops now, and with 

 but little risk of damage by spring frosts. The driest and warmest 

 situation should be selected for the early sorts, and the strongest land 

 for the late ones. If sowings were made in frames last month, take 

 care to harden the plants cautiously preparatory to planting out ; if 

 caught by a sharp frost, every one will perish. 



Broccoli. Sow on a warm sheltered border, and also in a 

 frame. With such an important crop at this time of year, there should 

 be at least two strings to the bow. 



Brussels Sprouts. For an early gathering of large buttons a 

 sowing should be made now on the warm border. This fine vege- 

 table requires a long period of growth to attain perfection, and those 

 who sow late rarely see such buttons as the plant is capable of pro- 

 ducing. 



Cabbage may be sown in pans or boxes placed in a frame, to be 

 planted out in due time for summer use, and from a quick-growing 

 variety tender hearts may be cut almost as early as from autumn- 

 sown plants. Where plantations stand rather thick, draw as fast as 



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