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CALENDAR OF GARDEN WORK. 



D. CALENDAR OF GARDEN WORK. 



It may be proper to remark that the times to be now 

 stated for sowing and other processes, are averaged chieflv 

 for the north of England and the south of Scoth^nd, and 

 must be modified also according to circumstances or situa- 

 tion. In a low situation, for instance, on the side of a 

 liver, vegetation will usually be a week or more later than 

 on a slope above it facing the south-west. 



I.— JANUARY. 



Though continued frost is rather an exception than the 

 usual rule of our climate, we have now more frost than in 

 any other month ; and the old saying is quite correct^ 

 that as the day begins to lengthen the frost begins to 

 strengthen;" — at least so far as this month is concerned. 

 1. — Kitchen Ga/rden. 



Trench vacant ground in open weather, and throw it 

 into ridges neatly by line. "When frost sets in, if it be very 

 severe, cover with straw, fern, or long dung, parsley, winter 

 lettuces, and the ground over rhubarb. Destroy any slugs 

 or snails which are observed : — one killed now will prevent 

 the breeding of a dozen or two in spring. 



In open weather, sow Bath, black seeded gotte, and cab- 

 bage lettuce ; horn carrots, radishes, and Flanders spinach, 

 may also be sown, though at the risk of losing them, if 

 they be not well protected with straw. Also mazagan and 

 longpod beans. Plant out early York cabbages to succeed 

 those of the October planting. 



2.— Fruit, 



Scare birds from picking the fruit-buds; and search for 

 the eggs of insects, particularly those small grey patches 

 which encircle the branches of apple and other trees, all of 

 which contain the rudiments of swarms of insects, and 

 which, if now destroyed, will save much trouble, as well as 

 much injury to the trees, in the ensuing spring. If orna- 

 mental and fruit trees and shrubs have not been previously 

 pruned, this operation should now be performed, and the 

 mildest days should be selected for this purpose. They 

 should also be trained, if necessary, at the same time. 



