156 SUGGESTIONS FOR GARDEN WORK BY MONTHS 



winter window. Also transplant cinerarias started from seed 

 last summer. 



For Christmas blooms, start some lilies-of-the-valley, Itoman 

 and Dutch hyacinths, and Chinese lilies. Pot the bulbs and con- 

 trol the temperature to suit the time you have left for forcing 

 them into blossom. If they are kept cold several weeks before 

 they are moved into a warm room they will be stronger but more 

 time will be required to bring them into bloom. Give the carna- 

 tions, chrysanthemums and other indoor plants close attention, 

 loosening the soil at the top of the pots. Keep them well watered, 

 guarding them as to temperature. 



December. — Let some of the turnips be set in damp soil in the 

 cellar to form succulent sprouts for use in salads. They will 

 be crisp as celery. Try starting some mushrooms in half-rotted 

 manure under a bench in the cellar. Throw the spawn on the soil 

 and water with warm water. The rotting of the manure will also 

 help keep the soil warm and start the plants. If there should be 

 enough cellar room, try keeping fresh plants for table use as they 

 are needed. These may be growing in the south window in boxes of 

 well watered soil. In this way we may have fresh grown onions, 

 kale, cabbage, parsnips, carrots, salsify, rutabaga leaves, spinach, 

 lettuce, and radishes. Do not try all of them at once. A few 

 days may freshen up the plants for table use. 



When the ground has frozen, out-door crops, such as winter 

 onions, kale, spinach, and others should have an abundance of 

 litter thrown over and among the plants. 



If you are interested in forcing winter growth, the hotbed may 

 be kept going and filled with many choice vegetables through the 

 winter season. A deep coldframe with glass covering will serve 

 the purpose for a number of the hardy plants above suggested for 

 the cellar window. 



Give close attention to the needs of the plants growing in window 

 boxes, in the coldframes and hotbeds. Some liquid manure or 

 solutions of such fertilizer as nitrate of soda may be used when 

 watering. For the plants which require less sunlight, provide a 

 north window. Much sun is needed for geraniums, chrysanthe- 

 mums, roses and some others. On the other hand, ferns, palms, 

 dracsenas, vincas, begonias, and English ivy can endure more shade. 



