JAN.] THE GARDENER. Sj 



Hhubarb is forced in the same manner, either in the 

 dark or in light, according as it is preferred to be 

 somewhat blanched, or of the natural colour. Keep 

 the crowns of both perfectly free, else their gi*owth 

 will be materially checked. Supplies from either of 

 these plants and of asparagus may be easily obtained, 

 by transferring them to a slight hotbed, but in the 

 case of seakale light should be excluded, in order that 

 it be blanched. Chicoiy and endive, which have 

 been previously blanched by tying up the leaves in 

 bass mats and earthing them up within a few inches 

 of the top, may be kept like celeiy on a floor, if they 

 be taken up with balls of earth and placed upright 

 with straw between the rows. 



Successions of Marshall's dwarf prolific and the frame 

 pea, and the mazagan bean, now sown, will probably 

 come into bearing as soon as those so\^ti in the two pre- 

 ceding months, unless these have been gi-eatly favoured 

 by cii'cumstances. If there be houses or frames there 

 is no difficulty in raising early peas, by sowing them 

 in shallow pots or boxes under glass, until the time 

 comes for transferring them with balls of earth into the 

 open garden. To avoid any disturbance of the roots, 

 they may be sown in pieces of turf, slit lengthways 

 for the purpose, and laid in the greenhouse or under 

 a frame until spring. In some gardens there ai-e per- 

 manent beds for them, between slight brick walls three 

 feet high, which are effectual security from frost or 

 nipping winds when covered with boai'ds overhead. 

 Coal ashes or some other absorbing substances are 

 placed below, unless in some very open soil, to prevent 

 water fr'om resting there. In the absence of siich de- 

 fence, a little moveable roof may be easily made with 

 laths or wattles, over which mats may be thi'own 

 when necessary; indeed this inexpensive and ready 

 kind of machinery will be found useful for many pur- 

 poses, for instance, protecting early potatoes. 5lic6 



