Feb.] 



THE CULINARY GARDEN. 



83 



FEBRUARY. 



SOWING PEAS. 



A full crop ot charltons may be sown about the beginning, 

 and of marrowfats and other larger sorts towards the end of 

 the month, in the open quarters of the garden. It frequently 

 happens that the fruit of a sowing made the beginning of this 

 month, is not a week later than that of a crop sown in No- 

 vember, and often surpasses all that have stood the winter in 

 forward returns, as well as in quantity. For small families, 

 tradespeople, and cottagers, the middle of February is the 

 best time for sowing to obtain an early profitable crop ; and, 

 in many situations, the ingenious gardener is unable to bi'ing 

 peas to tab'e sooner by any means which he can adopt in the 

 open air, than fi'om the crop sown the beginning of February. 

 From the middle of this month, make successive sowings 

 every three weeks during the months of March, April, and 

 May ; and twice in each of the months of June, July, and 

 August ; reducing the quantity each time from the end of June 

 till the middle of August. The crops of the later sowings 

 will depend on the state of the weather during the following 

 autumn, and in general, they are small and scanty. For the 

 early and dwarf crops sown in the beginning of the month, 

 from three to four feet will be plenty between the rows, and 

 three inches deep. If the ground be wet, do not tread the 

 seeds in ; but if perfectly dry, a slight treading will prevent 

 them from being displaced in the operation of covering. Sow 

 peas of sorts in pots or flat boxes, according to the plan 

 recommended for beans; if for extensive crops, sow on a 

 slight hot-bed. This has been practised by Mr. Bishop, an 

 intelligent and experienced gardener, and is the most rational 

 plan of transplanting peas ever practiced. 



PLANTING POTATOES. 



Potatoes may be planted about the middle, or towards the 

 latter end of this month, if the weather be mild. 



