210 



CASSELL'S POPULAE GARDENING. 



not permit it to thaw and so destroy the heat mthia 

 by an excess of cold water. When no further need 

 exists for materials to remain over such portions of 

 plantations as crops have been taken from, in view 

 of assisting the heat upon other portions, they should 

 be removed and cleared ofE. Place a thin layer of 

 light material over each root afterwards, however, 

 to neutralise the injurious tendency which subse- 

 quent severe frosty weather may have upon the 

 previously heated and now wounded crowns. 



Prepare a heap of fermenting materials with 

 which to make, up an early frame bed, whether for 

 Cucumber or Melon growing, or for purposes of 

 propagation, &c. Such materials take some time to 

 prepare and to sweeten, and unless they are col- 

 lected during the present month and placed in a 

 heap, to commence fermentation, the operation will 

 be behindhand a month or two hence. The process 

 of "sweetening" mixed materials is very simple. 

 See that the materials consist of stable litter, or 

 sweepings, and old collected tree-leaves. Throw 

 them lightly together into a conical heap. When 

 fermentation is at its highest — steam issuing freely 

 from the apex of the heap — then commence at one 

 side and turn the whole of the materials over into 

 another similar-shaped conical heap. Take care in 

 doing so to place the materials that were previously 

 on the outside of the heap in the centre at each 

 turning, and thoroughly shake all apart. Should 

 any portion of the centre be very dry, it might be 

 sprinkled over with clear water. Three such turn- 

 ings are generally requisite to properly sweeten 

 materials prepared during the winter months. 



Occasionally, even during the month of January, 

 a fine dry period exists wherein young plantations of 

 Lettuces, Endive, Spinach, Winter Onions, &c., may 

 be neatly hoed amongst. Should the opportunity 

 offer take advantage of it, as much benefit will accrue 

 to all such crops so treated at such a season. At the 

 same time hoe between and give such additional 

 mouldings to Peas and Beans (Broad) as are already 

 through the ground. In moulding up Peas at this 

 season take care, without drawing the soil too near to 

 the base of the plants, to make such a mound or ridge 

 of SOU on either side, and especially the cold or windy 

 side, as is likely to prove a protection to them. 



During fine weather towards the end of the month 

 all who aim at early crops may make sowings of 

 Peas, such as William I., First Crop, Kentish Invicta, 

 or other quick-podding early kinds, Broad Beans of 

 the Long-pod variety, or early Mazagan. 



Young Cauliflower plants under hand-glasses will 

 only require protection during very severe frosty 

 weather. Give air during all mild periods, and when 

 cold winds and moderate frosts only exist keep the 

 hand-lights constantly shut down. Where shallow 



frames exist utilise them by fixing on a warm sunny 

 border, and sowing Lettuce, Badishes, Carrots, and 

 Onions, should the latter be valued in the form of 

 salading. Mustard and Cress, continue to sow in 

 boxes as necessary. Make also sowings of Dwarf 

 Beans for forcing, as may be desirable. 



Keep up a brisk warmth of about 75° in Cucumber 

 houses. Make the most of aU sunshine to brace up 

 the plants by a little fresh air and fresh atmospheric 

 moisture. Give with great care root-waterings when 

 necessary only, in such manner that the drying in- 

 fluence of the lower heating pipe be neutralised, yet 

 that the bed be not caused to be at any time unduly 

 moist. Eemove all decayed flowers, aged leaves, 

 tendrUs, &c., stopping shoots occasionally, so as to 

 insure fruitfulness, yet so as to permit of a tolerably 

 free and uninterrupted growth, without which suc- 

 cessful winter culture is not possible. 



February. 



The month of February ushers in what should be 

 the busy season of the vegetable-grower. January 

 work in the kitchen garden, however commendable 

 and desirable it may be, is too generally only prac- 

 tised with thoroughness in large gardens, and where 

 labour is constant. The amateur is, perforce, content 

 with later ground-digging, manipulation, and gene- 

 ral preparation. Let none, however, who value good 

 returns for labour given delay beyond the advent 

 (or as soon after as possible) of the current month. 

 To dig up ground during the month of March suc- 

 ceeding, especially if.it be ground of naturally light 

 or poor characteristics, is to risk, during dry spring 

 weather, having a great want of moisture and sub- 

 sequent necessary firmness, until after such time as 

 seed- sowing and young plant- growth should have 

 taken place ; and the result, thin crops, and poor. It 

 is highly important, therefore, to have all ground- 

 work performed this month, that the needful seeds 

 be sown early in the next. In connection with this 

 it is weU to repeat that ground intended for Peas, 

 Potatoes, Cauliflowers, Beans, Onions, &c., should be 

 generally deeply and well manured and worked up. 



On the other hand, such spaces as are intended for 

 Carrots, Parsnips, Beet-root, Salsafy, and similar 

 crops, win be best with the manure deeply dug in, or 

 placed from six to eight inches deep in layers. This 

 can be readily done by keeping a good trench open, 

 and digging deeply, the manure being evenly spread 

 over the surface of the ground. About the first week 

 in the month lay all early Kidney Potatoes out singly 

 on airy shelves ; here they wHl form robust sprouts, 

 and during the third or fourth week plant them 

 on to an open sunny aspect. Take care to plant them 

 with the young sprouts upon them uninjured and 

 perfect. Prepare the main crops of Potato sets for 



