GARDEN MANUAL FOR THE SOUTHERN STATES. 



Directions for Planting. 



The directions given here are for Southern Louisiana. If applied to localities north of here the time 

 of planting will not be quite as early in the Spring and earlier m the Fall. For instance, tin; directions 

 giVen for January will answer for February in the northern part of tfiis State and .Mississippi and the 

 Southern part of Alabama. In autumn, directions for September can be followed in August,. For the 

 middle and sou thern part of Florida, sowing can be done much earlier in the Spring, ami in the Fall 

 much later than in Louisiana. In the northern part of Louisiana, Mississippi and [Texas, as wellaa in 

 the Southern part of Alabama, very little can be planted in November and December. 



JANUARY. 



IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



During this month Spinach, Mustard, Carrots, 

 "Reefs, Turnips and Leeks may be sown, also early 

 varieties of Kadish, and for the last crop the Black 

 Spanish, White California Mammoth and Chinese 

 Rose. 



Early varieties of Turnip and Ruta Baga for ta- 

 ble use can be .sown yet. 



Sow Lettuce, Endive, Cabbage, Broccoli, Kohl- 

 rabi and early Caulillower. As the weather is very 

 unstable, it is best to sow in a frame and protect 

 young plants during severe cold weather. 



Cress, Chervil, Parsley and Celery, the latter for 

 cutting, should be sown; also, Roquette and Sor 

 rel. 



If the hot- bed has not been prepared already 

 during the previous month, it should be done at 

 once, to sow now Eggplants. Pepper and Tomatoes ; 

 the latter can be sown a little later than the former. 



Plant Peas for general crop, such as Black-Eyed 

 and large White .Marrowfat, Champion of Eng- 

 land, Eugenie, Stratagem, Telephone ami other 

 varieties. Towards the end of this month the 

 Extra Early varieties, like First and Best, Little 

 Gem and Alaska may be planted. 



Divide and transplant Shallots, also set out Cab- 

 bage plants sown in November, 



Onions, if not already transplanted, should be 

 hurried now, so that they may have time to bulb. 

 Those who desire to raise Onion sets, should sow 

 the seeds towards the end of this month, as Onion 

 sets which are set out early in the fall can be sold 

 earlier than those raided from seed. 



It is better to sow Onion seeds for sets in Febru- 

 ary, as they generally get too large it sown in this 

 month. Northern seeds will not make any sets in 

 our climate. 



Sow Sweet and Medicinal Herbs such as Thvme, 

 Sage, Marjorum, Bene, Rosemary, Pot Marigold, 

 Borage, Savory, Balm, Tansy and Wormwood. 



Cucumber seeds can be planted now for forcing. 

 It is best to plant the seeds in flower pots first, and 

 when the third leaf is developed, transplant into 

 the hot-bed. 



Although Cncumbers for shipping are mostly 

 planted in November and December, if the hot- 

 bed is properly made, those planted in this month 

 will bear better than those planted in November. 



IN THE FIELD. 



Plant Potatoes. The Early Rose should not be 

 planted before the latter "part of this month. 

 Peerless and other second early varieties may be 

 planted after the first. 



Asparagus roots should be set out this month ; 

 also Bed Oats may be sown. We consider this and 

 the German Millet, which ought to be sown in 

 March, two of the best annual forage plants for 

 Louisiana. 



IN THE ORCHARD. 



Fruit trees of all kinds, such as Pear, Plum 

 Peach, Apple and Orange should be planted. 



.-ow Pecans now. This and the iollowing may 

 be considered tin; best months to set out lruit 

 trees. Plant yet .strawberry plants. 



IN THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



Continue to sow flower seeds during this month 

 for spring and early summer blooming. The best 

 varieties for now arc Verbena, l'hlox, Petunia, 

 Summer Chrysanthemum, Lychnis, Max, Scarlet 

 Sage. Hollyhock, Sweet Alyssum, Snapdragon, 

 A*ter, Columbine, Daisy, Wall 1- lower, Bell 

 Flower, Sweet Sultan, Coreopsis, Sweet William, 

 Japan and Carnation Pinks, Larkspur, Cali- 

 fornia Poppy, Ileliotropium, White and Red 

 Everlasting Flowers, Candytuft, Lobelia, Mon- 

 key Fiower, Love in a Mist, Evening I'rirn- 

 ro-e, sweet Mignonette, Dwarf Mourning Bride 

 and Pansies, also Japan and Tiger Lilies and 

 Narcissus bulbs for late fiowering In a cold 

 frame sow at the end of the month Balsam, Zin- 

 nia, Amaranthus, Cockscomb, Kosa .Montana, 

 Evening Clory and Nasturtium and in the Green- 

 house in Pots Begonia Rev, Begonia Tuberosa, 

 and Cyclamen. Plant Gladiolus ami Freesia bulbs 

 out of doors in sheltered places for early bloom- 

 ing. Set out Rose bushes and fiowering orna- 

 mental shrubs. 



FEBRUARY. 



IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



All winter vegetables can be sown this month, 

 such as Spinach, Mustard, Carrots, Beets, Parsnips 

 ami Leeks; also the early varieties of Radishes, 

 White Spring and Early Purple Top Turnip, bwiss 

 Chaid and Kohl-rabi, Lettuce, Cabbage and Early 

 Cauliflower may be sown. Jf the weather is favor- 

 able and the month of April (fry, the latter will 

 succeed well. 



Caulillower and Cabbage plants should be trans- 

 planted. Shallots divided and set out again ; also 

 sow Sorrel, Etoqiietle, Chervil, Parsley, Cress and 

 Celery for seasoning, if not sown already. 



All varieties of Peas can be planted in this 

 month, especially the early varieties. The later 

 varieties are best planted in January, but it plant- 

 ed in tlie early part of February they will do well. 



sweet Herbs should be planted, the most tender 

 varieties in a frame, and afterwards transplanted 

 into the open ground. 



This is the proper month to sow Asparagus seed, 

 also to plant the roots of this vegetable, if not 

 done so previously. 



Hot-beds on account of the changeable weather 

 during this month, require a good deal of atten- 

 tion. Give air when the sun shim-- ami the weath- 

 er is pleasant, otherwise plants will become spind- 

 ly and long legged. If too thick thin them out so 

 that they may become sturdy. 



You may begin to plant Bush Beans as soon as 

 the weather permits; also Cucumbers, Squash and 



Melons may be planted, as ihey often succeed if 

 protected by small boxes covered with glass, as 

 most gardeners do here ; there is no risk at all. 



At the end of this month Early Corn can be 

 planted. For market use, Adams' Extra Early and 

 Ear y White Mint are planted. We recommend 

 the sugar varieties for family use ; but as they are 

 more tender than the preceding, they shouJd'only 

 be planted during this month if the weather is ex- 

 tremely favorable, otherwise it is better to wait 

 until March. They are Just as large as the above 

 mentioned varieties, especially stowell's Ever 

 green, which is as larpre as any" grown. We con- 

 sider it the best for family use." 



