1869. 



NEW ENGLAND FAR^^TER. 



65 



For the Keio England Farmer, 

 THE GARDEN IN FEBRUARY. 



Little can usually be done in the garden 

 during this month, except preparing for ihe 

 coming season's work ; and here much may 

 be gained by judicious planning, and by doing 

 ■what may be as well done now as when other 

 work presses. The long evenings and com- 

 parative leisure of winter are favorable for 

 reading and social visiting among the farming 

 community, embracing attendance on the meet- 

 ings of the Farmer's Club. For the young, 

 one of the most interesting and useful, yet 

 one of the most neglected branches of study, 

 is astronomy. The ancient farmers were di- 

 rected in thbir operations, first, by observing 

 the course of the moon. Finding this an im- 

 perfect guide, they were led to observe what 

 stars l.>egan to emerge, as the rays of the sun 

 subsided, and what ones appeared above the 

 horizon during the interval between evening 

 twili"-ht and morning dawn. By numerous 

 and attentive observations, they traced out 

 the course of the sun and stars, and by a 

 stretch of the imagination they grouped the 

 latter, giving to each constellation the name 

 of some animal which the stars were fancied 

 to outline ; and also named the principal stars 

 in each group or constellation. By continued 

 study the whole heavens were mapped out 

 and named. By observing what stars and 

 constellations came overhead at certain hours, 

 they were enabled to make the true divisions 

 of the seasons, measuring the e.xact length of 

 daj's, weeks, months and years, and fixing 

 their bounds. And now we find that certain 

 stars and constellations come to the meridian 

 at set times. For instance, the following con- 

 stellations arrive on the meridian in February. 

 The Lynx, Gemini, Canes, Major and Minor, 

 and Monoceros or the Unicorn. A history of 

 each and all of these constellations, and the 

 principal stars of which they are composed, 

 as laid down by the ancient poets and mythol- 

 ogists, might be interesting, but I must con 

 tent myself by calling attention to it. It 

 may be found in works that every town or 

 district library should contain. 



Cold Frames. — See directions given last 

 month. Plenty of air on mild days, and pro- 

 tection from sudden changes of temperature, 

 comprise the duties here. 



CuJingsand Sciojis. — Gooseberry, currant, 

 and grape cuttings, and scions for grafting, 

 may yet be taken when the wood is not frozen. 

 Make careful selections, recollecting that 

 healih, vigor and increased productiveness are 

 of great importance, and be sure they are true 

 to name. 



Grape Vines. — If pruning has been neg- 

 lected, it should be done the first warm spell, 

 when unfrozen. Pruned when the wood is 

 frozen, they bleed in Spring and Summer. 



Fences. — Recall what was said of broken 

 gates, and poor fences a year ago ; good 



fences make good neighbors, and frequently 

 save valuable trees, vines, &c., froni intruders. 

 Fruit stored in the cellar and fruit room 

 should be looked over, and all specked or de- 

 caying specimens selected out and used. 



Horseradish. — A thaw will enable you to 

 get at, and dig it. If more is dug than is 

 used at once cover it with dirt in the bottom 

 of the cellar. Grated and bottled, with a little 

 salt and water added, it makes a healthy, ex- 

 cellent condiment. 



Manure is the basis of all good gardeninfr, 

 and its proper application the secret of success 

 in growing vegetables, &c. Save and collect 

 all that can be turned to advantage into fer- 

 tilizers for the soil. House slops, suds from 

 the wash tub, the privy vault, and all refuse 

 of a perishable nature, composted with muck 

 or loam, will make good manure for the gar- 

 den. Save all the ashes ; wood ashes con- 

 tain all the elements that most vegetables need 

 in their growth. 



Pea Brush and Bean Poles. — Now, while 

 getting up the year's supply of wood, is a 

 better time to provide these in sufficient quan- 

 tities, than to wait till the sap begins to run. 



Protection to vines, plants, &c., should not 

 be removed, even if a waim spell does occur. 

 Protection is not merely on account of the se- 

 vere cold of our climate, but to preserve from 

 the effects of sudden alternations of heat and 

 cold, in spring. Jf any covering has become 

 displaced, it should be carefully replaced at 

 once. 



Shrubbery and Trees. — Look to them after a 

 heavy fall of snow to see that they are not 

 borne to the ground, broken down, &c. 

 Shrubbery may be pruned, if judiciously done, 

 in mild weather. 



Seeds. — Last year I gave a select list of 

 garden seeds, to which I would call attention. 

 New varieties are constantly being introduced, 

 some of v/hich may be tried. Last year I tried 

 the Mexican and the Trimble Sweet corn, and 

 find them so good that I shall substitute them 

 for olher varieties. Both are earlier than the 

 Evergreen, and I think Trimble's is much bet- 

 ter. Overhaul and examine all seeds, and if a 

 deficiency exists, order at once from some re- 

 liable grower, like Gregory, of Marblehead ; 

 or dealer, like Hovey & Co., of Boston, who 

 advertise in this journal. Better be at consid- 

 erable trouble and a little extra expense, to 

 get good seed than to take those of doubtful 

 quality as a gift. The age of seeds affects 

 their quality. Some will germinate only while 

 fresh, while others will retain their germina- 

 tive capacity for several years, depending 

 largely on the care given them. Carrots, 

 onions, parsnips, and salsify, cannot be relied 

 upon after they are more than one year old, 

 while melons and cucumbers are improved by 

 age, and retain their vitality for ten years or 

 more. The only safe test of germination of 

 any seed is to try it, by placing it in constant- 



