THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 



239 



and sought after. Moreover, amateurs iind readier 

 means to an end by reference to such data contained 

 under monthly heading's in seasonable suggestions, 

 than by I'eference to the details, concerning dif- 

 ferent subjects, spread through the body of even such 

 a work as this. Though it may occur to many, 

 therefore, that given dates have only a partial bear- 

 ing on ultimate success, we would suggest that 

 they be kept to as nearly as possible. By indif- 

 ference to this matter valuable crops well grown, &c., 

 may be too early, or too late, for standing the in- 

 clemency of winter, or for ingathering before winter 

 sets in ; or so late in the spring months, that they 

 will be incapable (in certain instances) of growing to 

 proper bulk before the dry season sets in, which 

 causes premature bolting or running to seed, &c. 

 These suggestions, furthermore, should assist all 

 amateur growers and others who can only devote 

 a certain amount of time and forethought to the 

 subject. It were well to remark, however, that all 

 such work must be more or less influenced by the 

 weather ; hence due allowance should always be 

 made for such diversity as our climate is liable to. 

 This calendar is written, further, in connection 

 with the copious explanatory articles on each culi- 

 nary subject contained in other parts of the work. 

 The two taken together give, it is hoped, more 

 practical details and explanations regarding such 

 matters than any other work on vegetable-growing 

 extant. 



January. 



Commence the year by seeing that all walks and 

 the drains associated with them are in perfect order. 

 It is only by attending to the re-gravelling of walks 

 during the winter season, or turning them as may 

 be necessary, that freedom of pedestrianism is possible 

 throughout the year, without which the real plea- 

 sure of periodical visits is wanting, and the needful 

 work in connection is made .greatly more laborious. 

 The turning of walks at this season secures to them 

 the rains of winter and attendant time, which com- 

 bine to make them smooth-surfaced, hard, firm, and 

 mudless, during the chief part of the whole year. 



All vacant ground should be manured. It is 

 desirable to choose a frosty period, and when the 

 ground is hard, sufficiently so, in fact, to bear the 

 weight of the loaded wheelbarrow, in which to do 

 this. In all instances when, owing to the exigen- 

 cies of time, &c., it is desirable to wheel manure on 

 to the ground at other periods, wooden planks 

 should be used, not only in view of saving labour, 

 but also to avoid undue traffic over the soil. So soon 

 as ground is manured, spread such manure over the 

 surface, and trench or dig it in as soon as possible, 

 taking care to apply at least double the quantity of 



manure to ground which is to be trenched in compa- 

 rison with that which is to be dug only. During 

 both the operations of trenching and digging turn 

 the soil over as lightly as possible, letting it lie in 

 the same lumpy form as turned over. Do not, as is 

 so commonly practised, chop down all lumpy por- 

 tions. Nature, with its ameliorating influences — 

 frosts, air, &c. — will do this best, disintegrating it 

 thoroughly and well. Half the fertility of soils 

 comes from these pulverising influences. 



Following severe frosty weather, which generally 

 occurs about Chi'istmas or the New Year, many 

 parts of green vegetable crops such as Brussels 

 Sprouts, Broccoli, &c., show signs of injury. Let all 

 decayed and decaying leaves, &c., be removed during 

 the first dry- weather period. To permit them to 

 remain upon the plants is to court further and in- 

 creased injuries. 



During a mild period take up a successional 

 batch of Lettuces and Endives, and plant in pits or 

 frames which have been denuded in process of use 

 of earlier-planted ones. Take care during the pro- 

 cess of transplanting to take each plant up with a 

 ball of earth, and to transplant with the same in its 

 entirety. See that the protection around and upon 

 such pits or frames is efficient, but give air to each at 

 the back at all moderately mild periods, and remove 

 the lights or sashes from over them, should such 

 weather occur as will permit of the operation. 



Where forcing-materials were not placed over 

 plantations of Rhubarb and Sea-kale last month, it 

 may be done this. I refer the reader to the calendar 

 for the month of November for particulars how to 

 proceed. Those who commenced forcing such a 

 month or two since, should see that the fermenting 

 materials are kept at a proper degree of warmth, 

 &c. This must be secured by turning some poi-tion 

 of such materials over, or by adding to them, should 

 any be found, by aid of the test-stick, to have lost 

 heat. The crop will be found most advanced in 

 the centre of the heap of fermenting materials, and 

 when used it will be desirable to remove some of 

 such materials from the centre, and place it upon 

 the outer sides. Do not, however, quite uncover 

 the space. With an extended plantation of either 

 Rhubarb or Sea-kale, the pots from which the pro- 

 duce has been taken may be removed and placed 

 upon others ; fresh materials being also placed over 

 them by extending the dimensions of the heap. 

 Oftentimes the heat within such fermenting ma- 

 terials may be maintained during severe weather 

 by placing a covering of straw or other light litter 

 over it. Snow is a great neutraliser of the heat 

 within such, and when it falls heavily, save during 

 such time as severe frosts occur also, it is desirable 

 to remove it from the surface of the materials, and 



