CARTER AND CO.’S GARDENER'S VADE-MECUM FOR 1802. 
PART II. 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS. 
JANUARY. 
Kitchen Garden. 
The operations of this month will be much influenced by the prevailing weather. Should the ground be favourable 
for working, every opportunity should be taken advantage of to trench up all vacant plots of ground, throwing it up as 
roughly as possibto, to allow the frosts to penetrate thoroughly : the action of severe frosts upon soils, particularly such 
ns are strongly adhesive, is equal to a good manuring; and the diligent gardener, knowing that the success of his crops 
depends much upon the proper preparation of the soil, will never neglect this simple but very important operation. 
Seeds sown when the soil is in a sour, ungenial state, may germinate, but will rarely flourish ; and this often causes the 
Seedsman to be unjustly blamed. The beds for Parsnips, Carrots, Early Peas, nnd Onions, if not already trenched up, as 
they ought to havo been in November, should bo done immediately, and should afterwards be lightly forked over on dry 
frosty mornings with a steel digging-fork ; tliis constant moving of the soil tends to dissipato moisture, and brings it 
sooner into a fit state for the reception of seeds and plants. We call attention to these preliminary remarks, because they will 
be found useful in other months. 
General Directions. 
Towards the end of the month, get in, if possible, a sowing of Early Peas. Carter's Earliest and Savgsfer's A T o. 1 are 
suitable sorts ; sow also Dwarf Fan and Mazagan Beans. If required thus early, sow Wood's New Frame Radish in a frame 
on a gentle bottom bent; see that a good supply of dung and leaves are in the course of preparation by frequent turnings 
for use next month. Look to the successionul supplies of Sea Kale and Rhubarb : fresh patches may be covered in the open 
ground ; but a less troublesome practice, when there is convenience, is to take up strong roots nnd place them in the Mush- 
room House, where also Endive and Cliicory may bo placed for blanching for salads : keep up a supply of Mustard and 
Cress for the same purpose, by sowing once a week in boxes to be placed in a vinery at work, or in a frame with a gentle 
heat. If the early Pens and Beans sown in November begin to peep through, cover them immediately with half-rotted 
leaves in a dry state from the sheds, where a store of such things should always be kept for emergencies. A few Early 
Frame or Ash-leaf Potatoes, for planting in pits and frames next month, may be laid out to sprout in any odd place where 
there is a gentle heat, ns they require no mould, but only to be laid out on the lloor, or in a shallow box, which is better 
than planting at once, ns it saves trouble and ensures a good plant ; wheel out manures and composts on dry frosty mornings, 
and give the beds of Asparagus a liberal dressing of rich well-rotted manure, which should bo spread out evenly and left 
for a time. Give plenty of air to Cauliflowers in frames and under haudlights, remove decayed leaves ; and if slugs are 
troublesome, stir the surface and dress it with soot and lime. 
Fruit Garden. 
Pruning, dressing, and nailing of all the hardier fruits, such as Apricots, Pears, Plums and Cherries, must be carried on 
without delay in all favourable weather. Where birds are troublesome, the pruning of Currant and Gooseberry bushes may 
be deferred for a time; but the present is a good season for the removal of two or three inches of the soil around their 
stems, supplying its placo with some fresh compost, previous to which, if some quicklime is thrown around the stems, it 
will vory much assist the object in view, viz. to keep down the gooseberry caterpillar. See that newly-planted fruit trees 
arc secured from the effects of high winds ; and if not already mulched with rotten manure, lot it be done immediately. 
Flower Garden. 
Where there is tho convenience of a vinery at work, commence about the last week in the month to pot oil' from the 
store pots the plants intended for bedding out, beginning with Scarlet Geraniums and other free-rooting varieties, leaving 
Verbenas and other more tender bedders until next month. Plants reserved in the Autumn for the purpose of furnishing 
(Spring cuttings, such as Heliotropes, Fuchsias, Lantanas, Cuplieas, Verbenas, and Lobelias, should also be brought into heat 
to start ; see also that a sufficient quantity of fresh dung and leaves are getting ready for a bed for striking these cuttings. 
Have some composts under cover ready for tho earliest sowing of Annuals next month : in the out-door department attend to 
neatness in the grass nnd the borders along the principal walks ; trench up all vacant beds, adding some nice decayed leaf 
mould where necessary; thin out shrubberies, and, weather permitting, commence digging the same: if the Hyacinths in 
beds are pushing through, it is a good plan to cover tho beds with dry rotten leaves. Bear in mind, that after this month 
every week will bring an increase of necessary operations ; it is well, therefore, to be in advance. 
Conservatory. 
The guy appearance usually required in tliis structure at this season will very much depend upon what conveniences there 
are for supplying it: tho forcing-house, the stove and pits, will all be drawn upon; and, for the welfare of such plants as 
havo been tenderly reared, tho temperature must bo kept at a range of from 40° to 00’, and, although air should be given 
daily, if possible, cold draughts of cutting winds must be avoided : water in the forenoon, and keep all percolating water 
wiped up so ns to have the walks dry and comfortable. The different varieties of Dutch Bulbs will here form a grand feature 
for the next three months, and will keep up a very gay and attractive appearance : it is surprising that plants so readily 
procured and easily cultivated are not generally used. The first batch from the fuming-house will now be expanding, and should 
be removed here before the tlowers open, as they will thus last longer and flower finer than when forced to expand in a 
higher temperature ; Camellias, both in pots and borders, will be coming into bloom, and must not be allowed to want for 
water. 
Forcing House. 
This structure should now bo in full action, and will bo for some time the most useful one. If not already done, bring in 
a batch of American plants, Rhododendrons, Kalmias, Azaleas, Indian Azaleas, Roses, with many others ; introduce a fresh 
batch of Dutch Bulbs for succession, also a few Tree and Neapolitan Violets : give air when possible, and keep the atmo- 
sphere moist and sweet ; the temperature should not fall below 00° at night, and should riso 2° or 3° a week as the sun and 
light increase. 
F 
