THE AMATEUR’S KITCHEN GARDEN. 
289 
long and white, it is scarcely reasonable to expect a sound 
and plentiful production. To raise a few early potatoes, the 
simplest method is to make up a slight hotbed, and cover it 
with old lights, or canvas on hoops, or even hurdles or mats 
will do, as by the time the haulm appears the season will be 
sufficiently advanced to allow of taking off the covering by 
day, putting it on at night, however, to keep safe from frost. 
If there is plenty of charred refuse, use it liberally in making- 
up the bed, and cover the sets with some of it reserved for the 
purpose. The main crop of potatoes should be planted at 
greater distances between the rows than is usually allowed ; 
two feet and a half apart, and nine inches between the 
sets, should be the least distance for moderate growers, and 
' three feet to three feet and a half apart, and a foot or more 
between the sets, for robust growers. When cultivators com- 
plain that their potatoes have “ run all to haulm,” it may 
always be understood that they are planted about twice as 
thick as they ought to be. Sow in the open quarters , peas, 
parsnips, spinach, leeks. Sow on warm, slopes radish, hardy 
lettuce, cabbage, parsley. Plant potatoes, garlic, shallots, 
chives, onions for seed. 
Prune out-door vines, and lay in only the ripest of last 
year’s shoots, at about eighteen inches apart, and not more 
than four eyes in length. Clean the wall, and nail firmly, 
using as narrow shreds as possible. Get ready netting or 
other protection for espalier and wall trees, and use it as soon 
as the buds begin to swell, during the prevalence of north- 
east winds. Strawberry beds bear well if made early this 
month, on rich, firm ground. Plant and prune bush fruits. 
Begin grafting as soon as the weather permits ; scions thrust 
into the ground in bunches, with a tally to each, will keep a 
month, if necessary, and take better than if put on as soon 
as cut. See that all bearing rods are neatly trained ; if any 
pruning is neglected, attend to it at once. Vines bleeding- 
through being pruned too late may be stopped by cutting- 
raw potatoes to fit over the wound. 
Tender plants that have been wintered in cold frames must 
have very little water at present ; but nothing should be 
allowed to get dust-dry ; it is most injurious. Sow in heat, 
to transplant, Spanish onion, cos and cabbage lettuce, 
celery, tomatoes, capsicums, melons, cucumbers, and cauli- 
flowers. 
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