MONTHLY CALENDAR. 361 



operations, so that it equalizes labor more than when 

 starting late in spring. Enthusiastic beginners must 

 avoid the too common error of beginning out-door 

 operations too soon, when the soil is not sufficiently dry ; 

 for, if the soil is dug or plowed while wet, it is highly 

 injurious, not only destroying the present crop, but in- 

 juring the land for years after. Sow for succession, if 

 wanted, Cabbage, Cauliflower, or Lettuce, in hot-beds, 

 greenhouse, or cold frames. 



New plantations of Asparagus, Rhubarb, Sea Kale, 

 and Artichokes may be made, and old beds top-dressed 

 by digging in short manure close around the plants ; we 

 consider it more economical of manure to do this in 

 spring than in fall. (See Asparagus.) 



Such roots as Cabbage, Carrot, Celery, Leek, Lettuce, 

 Onion, Parsnip, etc., planted to produce seed, may be 

 set out the latter part of this month, on soils that are 

 warm and dry, drawing earth up around the crowns so 

 as to protect them from sharp frosts ; in hoeing, in 

 April, this soil is removed. 



Where extra laborers are wanted for the garden, I have 

 always considered it economy to secure them in the 

 early part of March, even a week or two before they are 

 really needed, for if the hiring of them is delayed until 

 the rush of work is upon us, we often have to pay higher 

 rates for inferior hands, and have less time to initiate 

 them in their duties. To such as require large numbers 

 of hands, and look to such ports as New York for emi- 

 grants, let me caution my friends from the rural dis- 

 tricts not to believe too implicitly in the promises of 

 these prospective American citizens. Much vexatious ex- 

 perience has taught me that one out of every three men 

 is either worthless, or will run away, so that for many 

 years back, if I wanted four hands, I made one job of it 

 and hired six, well knowing that before a week had passed, 

 my force would be reduced to the required number. 



