76 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



[Jan, 



be removed immediately, or the spawn will be in danger of 

 perishing. Replace it with a good covering of clean and dry 

 wheaten or other straw ; and in order to defend the bed more 

 effectually from wet and cold, it would be advisable to spread 

 some large garden-mats or canvas cloths over the sti'aw, which 

 will greatly preserve the beds. The cheapest and most ef- 

 fectual covering for mushroom-beds is Dutch reed-mats, which 

 are capable of throwing off the rain more effectually than any 

 other material of equal price. Their lightness, and the facility 

 with which they are rolled up, give them a decided advantage, 

 independently of their durability, which is much greater than 

 that of garden-mats or straw, and much less troublesome. 

 They can be procured from Holland very cheap, and are to be 

 had of J\Ir. M'Kay, of the Clapton nurseries, who imports 

 them annually from that country. The Dutch gardeners make 

 use of them for their general covering; and for the purpose of 

 covering fi'ames, pits, or low houses, they are far superior to 

 any other in use. 



Mushroom-beds may now be made : they will afford a full 

 crop in spring and beginning of summer, though probably not 

 so successful as the autumnal-made beds. See Septeinber^ 

 for the method of making and spawning the beds, &c. 



SEA-KALE. 



For the general management of sea-kale, see November, 

 The practice there recommended is equally applicable to the 

 present month. 



ONIONS. 



In light soils, the months of August, January, or the be- 

 ginning of February, are the proper seasons for sowing onions, 

 with the view of obtaining a plentiful crop ; but if the soil be 

 heavy, March, or early in April, is to be prefeiTed. If the 

 ground be not in a dry state, onions should not be sown this 

 month; nevertheless, the opportunity should not be lost, 

 whenever the ground ^ill admit of it. 



