518 MANUAL OF GARDENING 
Dahlias may be taken up and divided as soon as they begin growth. 
Gladiolus and tuberose bulbs should be planted now. It is a good 
plan to extend the planting through March and April. 
Pansies. — Plant them out in the beds where they are to flower. 
Routine work. — Sodding should now proceed rapidly. If sods can- 
not be obtained, the ground may be planted with Bermuda grass. 
Plant small pieces of the grass a foot apart and water them if the 
weather is dry, and they will grow rapidly. Hedges should be cleared 
up and put in good shape. All planting of trees and shrubs should be 
finished this month. All pruning of trees must be done early in 
the month. Young roses cannot be set too early in February. They 
thrive best when planted in fall. Roll the drives and repair them when 
necessary. The lawn will now require constant care, and the mower 
should be used before the grass becomes 14 in. high. 
Bush-beans may be planted February 14. On alluvial land it is best 
to plant them on slight rises as a protection against the rains which 
sometimes occur toward the end of the month. If frost should 
threaten just as the beans begin to peep out, cover them an inch deep 
with the plow or hand cultivator. Sow Early Mohawk first, and at 
the end of the month sow Early Valentine; a week later sow the wax 
varieties. 
Cabbage. — Sow early varieties, such as Early Summer, Early 
Drumhead, and Early Flat Dutch. Etampes, Extra Early Express, 
and Winnigstadt sown for small heads in the order named have done 
very well in southern Louisiana. The earlier sown plants should 
be transplanted as often as convenient. Should worms cause trouble, 
dust the plants with a mixture of one part of pyrethrum powder 
to six of fine dust. 
Carrots, celery, beets, endive, kohirabi, onion sets, parsley, parsnips, 
radishes and purple-top turnips must now be sown. 
Corn. — Plant Extra Early Adams, Yellow Canada, Stowell Ever- 
green, and White Flint toward the middle of the month. Sow again 
a week later, and again after another week. If the first two sowings 
fail, the last one will give the early crop. 
Cucumbers. — Sow and protect with small boxes during cold days 
and nights, or sow in pots or on sods. Protect the seedlings with sashes 
or canvas, and plant them out late. 
