Introduction 



xi 



gardens, 1 have essayed to lay before him this 

 calendar. 



In the use of it the following suggestions 

 are oflFered : 



By cultivation is meant stirring the ground 

 about the plants. This should be done fre- 

 quently and always before applying fertilizers. 

 During a drought, cultivation is better than 

 watering. The soil becomes hard about the 

 plants, and capillary attraction draws the 

 moisture from the roots ; but when the ground 

 is broken by cultivation, the moisture in the 

 air is able to reach the roots and sustain the 

 plants. 



Wood ashes is one of the most essential 

 materials to use in the care of young plants. 

 It keeps away the cut worm and many other 

 pests, and it adds a valuable ingredient (pot- 

 ash) to the soil. 



The use of nitrate-of-soda will be found 

 valuable in a dry season. Should there be 

 plentiful rains, it should be used but once a 

 month; and a period of two or three days 

 without rain should precede the application 

 of the nitrate. A long handled iron spoon 



