302 
THE AMATEUR’S KITCHEN GARDEN. 
to which we refer to avoid repetitions. Those who are inclined 
to venture a few speculative crops should sow Mazagan beans, 
Dillistone’s Early, San gster’s Number One, and Early Emperor 
peas. If they get through the winter, they will produce a few 
early dishes, but there is the risk not only of severe weather, 
but of the attacks of slugs and snails, and where these vermin 
are allowed to riot on the ground, winter sowings have but 
little chance. Broad, well-drained slopes are of great value for 
winter sowings, and for bedding out lettuce, broccoli, and 
cauliflower for the winter ; and with the help of reed or 
thatched hurdles for shelter, late and early supplies of vegetables 
and saladings may be secured, and will always pay well. Turn 
gravel walks, clean and turn plunging beds, make a clearance 
of corners devoted to rubbish, especially where there is an ac- 
cumulation of old pea-sticks and timber, as it is among such 
stuff that the vermin take shelter, to issue forth in spring and 
destroy the seed crops, and bring disgrace upon the small 
birds. 
Prune and plant as weather permits. Give special attention 
to wall fruit, and where standards have got crowded thin out 
the heads, but be very cautious about cutting large boughs off 
healthy bearing trees. Bush fruits should be pruned, and the- 
ground forked over between the rows. Burn the pruning, and 
strew the ashes over the newly-forked surface. Bed and white 
currants must be cut back to skeletons ; the chief of the fruit- 
buds being at the junctions of the new wood with that of last 
year, leave only two or three joints beyond that point, and 
cut clear away to the base every branch that is ill-placed or 
that chokes up the centre. Black currants do not like the 
knife ; trim the branches to regular distances, and shorten 
the longest back to good joints, but preserve plenty of young 
wood, leaving the plumpest branches nearly their full length,, 
and cutting all weak ones clean away. Scrub old apple trees 
that are infested with blight with a strong brine, and stop the 
holes with a mixture of clay, sulphur, soot, and cow-dung, 
beaten together into a tenacious paste. Pits and frames will 
now be crowded ; give air plentifully on fine days, and when- 
ever practicable take off the lights ; sunshine will do good, 
but rain will generally be mischievous, though during dry 
weather a shower will occasionally freshen up the plants and 
save the trouble of watering. Bnmove dead leaves, and keep 
all very clean as a preventive of mildew. 
