CALENDAR FOR NORTHERN STATES 225 



hotbeds should be fresh from a horse stable. Do not use 

 the drier parts of the litter. Use the lighter parts to bank 

 around the frames to keep out the cold. Use about one foot 

 of manure after it is well tramped down. Six inches of rich 

 soil on top is usually enough for most crops. 



In the hotbed start seeds of cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, 

 beets, carrots, parsley, onions, spinach and any others which 

 you will want early. Radishes may be grown between the 

 rows or in the rows with others. 



Young peopla living in homes where there are suitable 

 cellars may start mushroom beds in the early part of 

 February. , 



Rhubarb may be forced during the entire winter. If roots 

 were dug for this purpose in the fall, place them in a warm 

 part of the cellar and water them well. Much light is not 

 wanted. Loiig heavy stems, with small leaves, are produced 

 in partial light. If the roots are planted in boxes of soil in 

 the cellar, the moisture is retained better. 



Asparagus and rhubarb beds in the garden should be given 

 a heavy application of well-rotted manure. Rhubarb may be 

 forced -m the garden by placing a box over a few plants and 

 covering the box entirely with a pile of heating horse manure. 



Trees and Fruity- — Finish any pruning which has not 

 already been eompletsd. Young trees set the preceding fall 

 should be given specia;l attention. Do not let the pruning 

 of grape vines and bush fruits be neglected too long. This 

 is probably the best month for the spraying of shrubs and trees 

 to combat the scale insects. If the ground becomes soft, exam- 

 ine the ground near the base of the trees, and see that no open- 

 ings near the trees have been made. Press the soil firmly 

 about the trunk of each tree. This will prevent drying out as 

 spring approaches. 



Flowers. — Many hardy annual flowers may be started this 

 month by sowing seed in hotbeds and window boxes. Also 

 start some that are less hardy, such as castor bean, cobea, dahlia 

 15 



