536 
Peas.—About the middle of the month, make 
a sowing of the best kinds, and stake advanced 
early crops. 
Potutoes.—Plant early kinds in a dry, warm 
situation. 
Radishes. —Sow on a warm border Early 
Frame and Long Scarlet, or Early Olive and 
Scarlet Turnip-rooted. Cover with litter till 
the plants are above-ground, and afterwards 
protect at night in severe weather. 
Rhubarb.— Make fresh plantations by dividing 
the roots, with a bud to each. Plant these 
3 feet from each other, in rows from 3 to 4 feet 
apart. 
Rocambole.—At the end of the month propa- 
gate by planting the cloves of the bulbs 6 inches 
apart. 
Savoys—From the middle to the end of the 
month make a sowing of Earliest of All and 
others to come in early. 
Large Green may be sown to attain a large 
size. 
Shallots.—Plant the bulbs in newly-trenched 
ground at the distance of 6 inches from each 
other, in shallow drills 1 foot apart. 
Spinach.—Seeds of the Round-leaved may be 
sown between the rows of Peas. 
Turnips.—Seeds of Extra Early Milan and 
Early Snowball may be sown in light, warm soil. 
HaArpDyY-FRUIT DEPARTMENT. 
All operations, such as trenching, manuring, 
and otherwise preparing the ground, recom- 
mended to be done last month, if not accom- 
plished, owing to the state of the weather or 
other obstacles, should now be performed as 
early as possible. 
Plant all sorts of fruit-trees at the first 
opportunity, selecting trees of moderate growth, | 
Robust- | 
having clean, healthy - grown stocks. 
growing trees cannot be transplanted so success- 
fully, and more time is necessarily required for 
them to get established, more especially the 
Apricot, Peach, Nectarine, and Quince, because 
they push early, and the more vegetation is_ 
advanced the greater will be the check from 
removal, and the less the growth of the trees in 
the ensuing season. Stake newly-planted trees. 
Continue to prune all kinds of fruit-trees ex- 
cept the Fig, Walnut, and Mulberry, which had 
better be left till danger of severe frost is past. 
Shoots to be used as grafts may yet be taken 
off. 
Train and nail wall-trees; and in the first 
place those which are most forward, or which 
At the same time 
too far 
| 
planting out. 
THE GARDENER’S ASSISTANT. 
are on a southern aspect. Beware of over-tight - 
shreds, and do not drive the nails so near the 
branches as to gall the latter when they increase 
in size. 
Head back stocks, if not already done. Pre- 
pare clay for grafting, by mixing it with cow- 
dung and a little fine hay. If the weather be 
fine towards the end of the month, grafting may 
be commenced. 
Prepare protection for the blossoms of wall- 
trees. Thin canvas or netting is the best. To 
keep the blooms strong and hardy, fern or thin 
straw screens may be used. 
Clean the stems of fruit-trees from moss and 
insects, choosing a moist time for the operation. 
Use, in the first place, for the moss, a piece of 
hard-wood with triangular edges; then, with a 
hard scrubbing-brush, sand, and water, scour 
off all extraneous matters from the stem. Look 
out, in pruning, for the eggs of insects glued 
in rings on the young shoots; remove and 
effectually destroy them. Syringe Peach-trees 
after nailing, and before the blossom buds are 
advanced, with sulphur and water 
thoroughly mixed, or quassia water moderately 
strong; with this, also, the whole surface of the 
wall should be well saturated. 
Attend to Strawberry plantations: thin old 
ones that are too thick, and make new ones if 
necessary. 
ForRCING DEPARTMENT. 
A sparagus.—Keep up a succession, as directed 
last month, and prepare beds to receive fresh 
supplies of plants. 
Basil.—Sow in pots for early use and for 
Pot off plants raised from pre- 
vious sowing. 
Capsicums.—Sow in pots, or on a moderate 
hot-bed; repot or transplant when the plants 
have made four or five leaves. 
Carrots—Sow Early Nantes on a slight hot- 
bed. 
Cauliflowers.—Sow a few in pots, or in frames, 
to be forwarded with a very gentle heat. 
Celery.—Sow on a slight hot-bed, or in boxes 
or pans. Pull out the weakest seedlings. 
Egg-plants.—Transplant or repot those sown 
last month. 
Endive. —If required early, sow seeds of 
Small Green Curled in a heat of 55° or 60°. 
Transplant when the plants have made four 
or five leaves, but in gentler heat, where they. 
may become fit for use in May. 
Kidney-Beans.—Sow Ne Plus Ulira, Early 
