FEBRUARY 149 



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

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

 enormous work to keep them down. It is well, however, to re- 

 member 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. Therefore, 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 and decency of the garden. Dig them in, and 

 their decay will nourish the next crop. If you practise early sowing 

 and aim at the earliest possible produce of everything, you must be 

 always ready to protect by means of litter, spruce branches, mats, and 

 such like, as circumstances require. Let not the weather surprise 

 you ; the vigilant gardener is always armed for any 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 any were sown in frames last month, take care 

 to harden them cautiously preparatory to planting out; for if caught 

 by a sharp frost, every plant will perish. 



BROCCOLI. Sow Walcheren on a warm sheltered border, and a 

 pinch in a frame. With such an important crop at this time of year, 

 you ought to have at least two strings to your bow. 



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

 planted out in due time for summer use. Where plantations stand 

 rather thick, draw as fast as possible from amongst them every 

 alternate plant, to allow the remainder ample space for hearting. It 

 is well to remember that the smallest and loosest hearts of immature 

 Cabbages make a more delicate dish than the most complete white 

 hearts ever known. For our own eating give us a small Cabbage, 

 green all through ; but when grown for market, there must be bulk 

 and substance. Cabbages are wanted at all times and seasons to 

 mend and patch, and to make stolen crops, and take the place of 

 anything that fails past recovery. 



