THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
269 
February 14.] 
but until auriculas hare done blooming, we do not 
recommend exposing them to even the gentlest 
shower. Polyanthuses, on the contrary, may, previ¬ 
ously to the blooms opening, have the benefit of a 
gentle spring shower. The reason for this difference 
is obvious. One of the great attractive beauties of 
the auricula is, the beautiful white powder scattered 
over the leaves profusely by nature. Now, rain, be 
it ever so light, will wash off this natural powder, 
and disfigure, if not positively injure, the plants. It 
is not so with the polyanthus. A gentle shower may 
be allowed to fall upon this flower with advantage. 
This difference asks for a separate habitation, and if 
our florist and amateur friends possess sufficient of 
each to fill separate frames, by all means use them, 
as, even in giving the necessary supplies of water, 
a difference may be made in its application. Auri¬ 
culas must be watered with a watering-pot with a 
small spout without a rose, so as not to wet a single 
leaf; but polyanthuses may have that necessary ele¬ 
ment applied with a watering-pot with a fine rose, 
with great benefit, provided they are strong, and have 
plenty of fine healthy leaves. There is another rea¬ 
son why this difference will be beneficial to the 
latter. Auriculas are not so subject to the attacks 
of the red spider as polyanthuses are. It is well 
known to gardeners, and, we hope, to florists too, that 
moisture is a great preventive to that destructive 
insect. In consequence, as happily the polyanthus 
will bear with impunity occasionally a shower of 
water, it is advantageous to apply it, either with a 
rose watering-pot, or to allow a gentle shower now 
and then to fall upon them. 
Carnations and Picotees. —We have nothing to 
add to our remarks last week upon these flowers, but 
that it is time to get under cover the suitable com¬ 
post for potting. It is time to think about putting 
them into their blooming pots. Have both pots and 
compost ready for that operation, as it must be done 
shortly. T. Appleby. 
THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. 
Potatoes. —Be active in planting potatoes in all 
favourable weather ; let this work be finished in the 
present month. Plant whole sets of a suitable size 
rather than cut sets, and allow them plenty of room 
to grow—say from nine inches to a foot from set to 
set in the row, and two feet to two feet six inches 
apart from row to row. 
Beans. —Still continue to plant broad beans of tbe 
best kinds, and to the extent required. Let the soil 
be rich and good for them. 
Peas of early and second early kinds may be sown 
to any required extent; and both early and second 
early may be sown on the same day, which will form 
a nice succession at picking time. Keep a watchful 
eye on those peas that are already above ground, that 
they are not destroyed by either sparrows or mice, or 
by the slugs. If annoyed by the sparrows, strain a 
string of worsted along each row, as before directed ; 
and if by the slugs use quick-lime dust, applied by 
means of the dusting-bag; also stir the earth often 
between the rows. Keep the rows well backed up 
with dry earth, and if any are ready for sticking let 
it be done; and a few evergreen boughs run along 
the outside of the sticks will be found a nice protec¬ 
tion from severe frosty weather. 
Radishes. —Sow as bountifully as required in the 
open borders, to succeed the before sown crops; also, 
thin out those that are up, and sift a little dry earth 
among them. Give plenty of air to those that are in 
frames, by taking off the lights in fine days. Carrots 
in frames treat in the same way. 
Cauliflowers may be planted out in fine open 
weather. The ground should be rich and good for 
them. The plants from frames, or the like places, 
may be taken up with good roots, and planted in 
rows from two feet six inches to three feet apart 
from row to row, and two feet from plant to plant in 
the row. When all are planted, an inverted flower¬ 
pot would be found a good protector, to be put over 
the plant every night, and taken off every morning; 
that is, in frosty weather. These will be found a 
good successional crop to those which were planted 
out in the autumn, under hand-glasses. Here, under 
the hand-glasses, let the earth be often stirred, re¬ 
move any decayed leaves, and be watchful for the 
slugs. 
Cabbages. —Plant freely at this time, of any of the 
best early kinds, in a well-worked, rich soil; also a 
little seed may be sown. 
Plant shallots, garlic, and underground onions with¬ 
out delay. Allow them plenty of room. If in four 
feet wide beds, let them be planted in rows length¬ 
ways, 10 to 12 inches from row to row, and from six 
to eight inches in the row. 
Parsley may be sown as well as thyme, marjoram, 
savory and hyssop, in some suitable warm border. 
The old plants of each kind may be taken up and 
divided, and planted out again in warm open 
weather. 
Spinach may be sown in succession. 
Brocoli. —Clear away all decayed leaves from these 
crops, and be on the look out, on clear frosty-looking 
evenings, to see that no heads either want to be cut 
and taken in or the outside leaves turned inwardly 
over the young growing heads. 
Rhubarb may be forwarded much, by inverting 
either large flower-pots, tubs, or hand glasses over 
the crowns. 
Sea-kale. —Lose no time in covering-up. 
Those who have not done so yet, may plant mint 
and tarragon, in gentle heat. 
Sow small salacling in succession. W. 
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 
OUR VILLAGE WALKS. 
(No. 190 
How surprisingly sudden and unexpected are the 
changes in our variable climate! In a moment of 
time, in the twinkling of an eye, the scene of nature 
shifts, and we are presented with a new and beauti¬ 
ful subject for wonder and delight. 
We had been gazing on a scene of snow for one 
entire fortnight; cold, piercing east winds swept the 
earth, and so dense an atmosphere hung over us, as 
completely to conceal the cheering beams of the sun. 
Occasionally at night the air cleared, and the glitter¬ 
ing stars sparkled in their dark-blue setting; but, 
when morning dawned, the sky was as much over¬ 
cast as ever, and the sun did not, for many days, 
appear. All looked so frost-bound, so intense, so 
steady, that it seemed as if no change could possibly 
take place; and an intelligent cottager assures us, 
that, as far as he could observe, this weather was 
likely to continue “ these two months to come.” 
This was on the morning of a Friday, and many 
farmers had announced their intention of discharg¬ 
ing their men the following evening, for no work 
could possibly be done. This was indeed a gloomy 
prospect; but are the poor ever forgotten by the 
