108 
GARDENING CALENDAR FOR MARCH. 
month, and keep the hoe active amongst the 
advancing crops : if the soil is much beaten 
down, it will be well to point it with the 
spade or fork. 
Thyme. — Sow now on a sandy soil, or in- 
crease by slips or layers, planting them six 
inches apart in the row, and a foot between ; 
keep the plants rather deep planted. 
Turnip. — Sow on a warm border about the 
end of the month, and cover the bed with 
fern or branches, which will assist to ward off 
the fly at this early period better than soot : 
thin the sowing of last month. 
Wormwood is increased by slips, or by seed 
sown in autumn; either will now succeed in 
rather a rich soil : a few plants will suffice. 
THE FRUIT GARDEN. 
General Directions. — All the grafting ap- 
paratus must be in readiness; also the pro- 
tecting materials at work ; and if there is any 
pruning or planting to do, it must be done 
directly. Keep the hoe active in every part, 
serving as it does to counteract the effects of 
drought, to open the soil to the benefit of the 
atmospheric gases and to prevent weeds from 
gaining any ascendency. 
Fruit-room. — Carefully pick out the de- 
caying fruit, and keep the room as cool and 
close as possible, also very clean. 
Grafting. — This operation may be pro- 
ceeded with by the end of the month. 
Almonds. — Treat much as the peach : it is 
found to succeed best grafted on the plum stock. 
Particular care is necessary to protect the 
blossoms from frost, as non-success chiefly 
arises from neglect of this. The sweet almond 
should be planted on a south aspect, in a loamy 
soil ; the litter almond flourishes in a light 
earth. 
Apples. — Graft chiefly upon the crab stock ; 
the Paradise and French stocks are most 
eligible for dwarfs, and the former is suitable 
for a moist situation. A soft hazelly loam 
suits apples generally ; and in every case have 
a dry bottom, and plant them shallow. Keep 
down insects, to do which, no plan is so 
effectual as to destroy them the moment they 
appear. If very severe weather prevails, the 
blossom of the choice sorts must be protected. 
Apricots. — Protect the flowers, either by 
netting, canvass, or branches : should they be 
a little touched with frost, it will lessen the 
injury to keep the trees shaded during the 
day. The plum is a good stock for the 
Apricot. 
Cherries. — Fumigate, or syringe with to- 
bacco water at the first appearance of aphis 
(green fly): Scotch snuff dusted on them, will 
also cure it; and some of these may be applied 
as preventives. The wild black cherry is the 
best stock, and the pips should now be sown. 
Defend the blosf-om against severe night 
frosts. 
Cranberries must be planted on a swampy 
spot, or near the edge of a pond : artificial 
means for irrigation may easily be made; 
they will do to be planted now. 
Currants. — New plantations can now be 
made ; a rich loam, on a dry bottom, is the 
proper situation. Koe amongst the bushes, 
and cut off any branch which appears too 
low to keep the fruit clean. 
Figs. — These, if covered with spruce 
branches, as directed, will be gradually re- 
ceiving more light. If they were not nailed 
previous to being covered, they must now be 
done. In pruning, care is only required to 
thin out those leaders which have become 
hare of fruit-bearing laterals. The fig is suc- 
cessfully grown in several parts of England 
as a standard. 
Filberts. — Bed out young plants made from 
the layers, or put them in nursery rows. 
Each plant should have one strong upright 
shoot : those planted out where they are to 
bear, should be cut down to eighteen inches 
from the ground, allowing seven or eight 
shoots to grow to form the head, and keeping a 
foot of the stem perfectly clear. The soil re- 
quired is a good loam, and no dung ; and the 
plants to be about eight feet apart. 
Gooseberries. — The attacks of caterpillars 
must be guarded against, thus: — Syringe with 
a liquid of lime, sulphur, and tobacco water, 
and sprinkle the soil below with soot: gather- 
ing them with the hand is effectual : hoe and 
freshen up the soil. 
Medlars. — Old trees require no pruning : 
graft on pear stocks. 
Nectarines. — Finish pruning and nailing : 
have the blossoms defended against frosts and 
cold winds. 
Peaches. — Have these pruned and nailed, 
if not done. Protect from frost, and where 
there are flued walls, it is well, when the 
weather is very severe, to have them at work : 
it is also a good plan to have a temporary 
coping of wood, to project ten inches or so, to 
which (in addition to keeping all dry) the 
netting or canvass may be attached. Mulch 
the young trees lately planted, and if drought 
prevails, they must be watered. Plum stocks 
suit well for grafting upon, but budding 
is generally preferred. 
Pears. — Thfse often suffer from frost, and 
yet they are seldom covered. Mat, or net up 
those whose blossom is early, and if at all 
touched with frost, keep it rather dark for a 
day or two. The quince stock is frequently 
used for grafting upon, which makes young 
trees more fruitful. Cut down all the bad 
sorts and bad bearers, and graft anew with 
good sorts. 
