JANUARY. 



539 



JANUARY. 



have sufficient covering to defend them 

 effectually from frost, should there be any, 

 and from rain or snow. This covering 

 should not be less than a foot thick, and if 

 rain or snow should have penetrated quite 

 through it, it should be removed im- 

 mediately, or the spawn will be in danger 

 of perishing. Replace it with another 

 covering of clean, dry straw, and to defend 

 the bed more effectually from wet and 

 cold, spread large mats or canvas cloths 

 over the straw. New beds may be made, 

 if required, as they will afford a full crop 

 in the spring and early summer months, 

 though perhaps not so large a one as the 

 beds made in the autumn. 



Operations > Forecast of. This is the 

 season when the forethought of the 

 gardener may be exhibited. He has 

 to lay down his plan of operations for 

 the year, or at least for the next three 

 months; and on his judgment in doing 

 this much of the successful cultivation 

 depends. If he cover too much ground 

 with early crops in these three months, 

 not only will great waste arise, but he will 

 have forestalled the space required for the 

 main crops in April, May, and June, when 

 some of the most important crops are to be 

 sown. He should make his calculations 

 now, so as to secure a constant succession 

 of the various products as they are required, 

 but leaving little or nothing to run to waste. 

 It is a good practice, in going through the 

 orchard, bush fruit, and trees generally, to 

 cut off all spare wood at this season, assort 

 them as to size and shape, and tie them up 

 in bundles ready for use as pea sticks and 

 other purposes. At this season it is neces- 

 sary to be provided with mats or litter to 

 cover the glass in case of sharp frost ; for, 

 though most of these crops are hardy, yet, 

 when young and growing, they are not un- 

 likely to be cut off by frosts. They are 

 also much strengthened and hardened by j 

 exposure to the air in mild weather. A I 



warm shower is also beneficial ; but too 

 much wet is injurious, especially in cold 

 inclement winds. 



Peas, Early. Early peas may be got in 

 any time this month, if the weather per- 

 mits. Where the ground is tolerably 

 porous and well drained, and a warm 

 border, well sheltered on the north, is 

 available, nothing more is required than 

 to sow them in rows, 5, 6, or more feet 

 apart, the rows running north and south ; 

 for dwarf peas 5 feet will suffice. In warm 

 situations and light soils, early peas will 

 probably have been sown in October. As 

 they spear through the ground some light 

 litter should be placed over them in frosty 

 weather, but this should be removed in 

 mild weather ; by this treatment they will 

 come in very early. Where the soil is 

 light it is very necessary to mulch early 

 peas; it protects the young roots from 

 frost, and saves watering and manuring 

 the ground for the next crop. It tends, 

 also, to produce a better and much earlier 

 crop of peas. 



Protection. This is essentially a month 

 in which protection is required for growing 

 crops as well as those which have not yet 

 germinated. Globe artichokes and parsley 

 require protection as well as the crops 

 already indicated, and celery and cauli- 

 flower are all the better for it. It will be 

 sufficient to throw a covering of long litter 

 over globe artichokes and celery, but for 

 parsley and cauliflower plant protectors are 

 more suitable, with a lining of dung placed 

 along the sides, and branches or straw mats 

 over the glass. 



Roots in Store. Whether in cellars, or 

 in pits or caves formed of straw or litter 

 and covered with a coating of earth, all 

 roots, such as potatoes, parsnips, carrots, 

 beetroot, and onions, in store, should be 

 looked to, so that decaying roots or bulbs 

 may be removed, and to ascertain that the 

 pits or caves are impenetrable to frost. 



