Drcer' s harden Calendar. 



VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



SREPAEATION OF THE GROUND. — To secure a fair return in sen5;on- 

 a'ole crops, for the labor and outlay iu» ested, it is essential tlnit 

 the soil of the Ve;^etable Garden sliould be well under-drained, 

 \ t.ioronjhly trenched or siibsoUed, and enriched b^j a judicious ap- 

 plication of fertilizing mriterial. It is still the current opinion, bnsed 

 on experience, that for all purposes well-composted barn-yard manure, 

 when available, is the best material. A\ e do not deny, however, that 

 several of the concentrated manures, now manufactured, are useful and 

 convenient, especially for a succession of cro]is. 



The exposure of a garden has much to do with the early maturity of 

 the crops; an exposure to the morning sun is desirable. The soil must 

 be in a friable state to secure tlie prompt vegetation of the seeds, and 

 the destruction, or rather prevention, of weeds, is one of the most desira- 

 ble results of frequent stirring of tlie surface. Soils are susceptible of 

 alteration and improvement in texture; heavy clays can be rendered 

 open and porous, and light sandy soils may De consolidated and rendered 

 more retentive of moisture. For all such details we mtist refer tlie 

 amateur to more extensive treatises on these subjects, to be found in 

 our " Farmer's and Gardeuer's Library," page 119. 



Garden Reqi'isites. — There are several aids to the economical 

 management of the garden, which are almost indis]')ensable; one of 

 these is the HOT-BED frame for the forwarding of plants for early plant- 

 jug. A frame, such as is shown in tiie cut, may be made of varioua 



sizes, according to the size of garden, from lour sashes upwards. The 

 length of sash'is generally seven feet by three and a half wide, the size 

 of glass six bv eight inches, making the entire frame of four sashes 

 fourteen by seven feet. The frame should have a southern or south- 

 eastern exposure, should be made up with fresh horse manure and a 

 few leaves mixed with it : this must be laid in a heap pre])aratory to 

 being used, and when in a proper state of fermentation, prepared for 

 the reception of the frame. A few inches of rich loamy soil must be 

 spread over the manure, then covjr the -^rame with the sashes and after 

 standing a few days to allow the rank heat and steam to pass off, the 

 seed can be sown.' AVhere the ground is well drained, a better plan is 

 to dig out a space the size of the frame, from one to two feet deep, ac- 

 cording to the season and the heat required, in which the manure is 

 placed, care being taken to pack it firmly and evenly. 



The Cold frame for wintering Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce Plants, 

 etc., should be constructed of inch boards one foot high at the back by 

 nine inches high in front and six feet wide; five short posts to the length 

 •f sixteen feet beards will answer t« keep in positiwa. The shutters 



