THE AMATEUR’S KITCHEN GARDEN. 
287 
January. 
“ Blasts of January would blow you through and through.” 
During this month it is desirable to derive as much benefit 
:as possible from the frost, and hence all unoccupied plots of 
ground, including flower beds, should be deeply dug and laid 
up in ridges. Composts, turf for potting, and other special 
soils should be turned, so as to get them frozen through. 
Planting cannot be prosecuted with so much success as 
in the autumn ; but where there are arrears to be got 
up, the work must proceed during open weather, and the 
greatest care must be taken to secure the roots of trees while 
•out of the ground from being attacked by the frost. During 
frosty weather work is sometimes scarce ; then is a good time 
to char edge clippings and other such refuse, and spread the 
ashes as manure. 
At any time this month, as opportunity occurs, there may 
be sowings made of peas, beans, two-bladed onions, collards, 
York cabbage, horn carrot, and parsnips. There is, of course, 
a certain amount of risk in early sowing, and the whole may 
be lost ; but in mild and tolerably dry seasons, there is ample 
•compensation for losses at other times in the earlier produc- 
tion or increased bulk and excellence of the crop.. In the 
event of the perishing of the seed sown now, there is time to 
sow again as soon as weather permits, so that the seed is the 
only loss. Dry sheltered borders are invaluable for these 
early sowings. In the event of severe weather, it will be 
necessary to protect by shaking down dry litter and placing 
reed hurdles in suitable positions to screen off the wind. In 
mild weather slugs and snails will make terrible havoc with 
the seedling plants, and they must be kept in check by the 
use of lime, soot, or wood ashes. Pdrubarb in the open ground 
may be forwarded by covering the crowns with seakale pots, 
or a lot of old boxes. The covering will be nearly as effec- 
tual without the help of hot dung as with it. Another very 
simple and effectual way is to drive in a few stakes round each 
stool, and tie them together at top, so as to form a sort of 
tent ; then heap over them any dry litter, such as pea-haulm. 
Celery in trenches will need protecting during hard weather. 
It is best also to get up occasionally a good supply and place 
it in dry earth in a shed or outhouse, as in the event of frost 
after wet much of the crop may be destroyed. 
