378 CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS, [chap. xii. 
and currants are left as long as possible un¬ 
pruned, because the birds* when driven to 
distress for want of food, very often pick off 
the buds, and should the number of buds 
have been previously diminished by pruning, 
the hopes of the season for a good crop of 
fruit are generally destroyed. Radishes and 
lettuce should be sown in February, and 
spinage; also the first crop of peas and 
beans. The strawberry-beds are pruned 
and dressed, and the raspberry shoots short¬ 
ened and cut in. 
March . 
This is the sowing month. In the flower- 
garden the seeds of hardy annuals are sown 
in the open border. Turf is laid down 
where wanted, and grass-seeds are sown. 
Rose-trees are sometimes planted in this 
month, and the climbing kinds are pruned 
and trained. The best sorts for training as 
pyramids of roses are the Noisette and Rour- 
sault kinds, and some of the hybrid China. 
The box edgings are taken up and replanted, 
and the gravel walks are raked or turned 
over, and new gravel added if requisite. 
