THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
281 
February 21.] 
is to say, a little and often, may be given by sowing 
broadcast over the surface of the soil, at most times 
with great advantage. We do not approve of appli¬ 
cations on too liberal a scale to any crop at any sea¬ 
son ; but we are advocates for applying it lightly 
over the surface of the soil for almost all and every 
kind of crop, particularly at this season of the year, 
as the moisture of the soil and showers are sure very 
soon to dissolve it, and a box or bin of salt should 
always bo kept near the manure-catching pit, in order 
to give its accumulations liberal sprinklings. 
Early Peas should have earth drawn well up to 
them on the cold side, and short boughs placed to 
afford them protection ; the general crop of late peas 
should now be sown in full crop. A row of round 
spinach may be sown between them. 
Lettuce. —Make another sowing of the Bath cos 
and Victoria cabbage lettuce. 
Potato Ground which has been some time planted, 
and the surface-soil allowed to remain in a rough 
state, would now be improved by first sowing some 
salt over it, and then harrowing or hand-scarifying it. 
Framing. —Continue to collect together fermenting 
materials, which should be well turned and worked, 
to get the mass in a good uniform condition; keep 
the linings of early cucumbers and melons well topped- 
up and protected, so as to maintain one regular genial 
heat. Sow in succession cucumbers, melons, capsicums, 
chillies, a little sweet basil and sweet marjoram. 
Mushroom Beds should bo looked to in the out- 
sheds, to see that they are well covered up, to main¬ 
tain a genial warmth ; and should a little water be 
required, let it be tepid, and given from a very fine- 
rosed water-pot or syringe. After watering, add a 
little fresh, dry, refuse hay, previously to putting on 
the old covering again. Mushroom beds should be 
uncovered with the greatest care, so as not to displace 
or pull the mushrooms off with the covering. Mush¬ 
rooms are apt to come in large clusters; and, if 
great care is not taken in removing those that are fit 
for use, you will injure those that you wish to remain 
to become larger. In gathering, remove them, root 
and all, by a gentle twist, and the places where taken 
from fill up with a little fresh earth, and press it 
down with the back of the hand. 
Cauliflowers attend to, planting out, and earth¬ 
stirring among the hand-glass crops which were 
planted out in the autumn. Let them have all the 
open air possible in favourable weather, by taking 
the coverings entirely off. 
Cabbages plant out freely in good well-manured 
soil, to succeed those which were planted out in the 
autumn; and use the hoe freely, on dry days, among 
the autumn-planted crops. 
Brocoli Crops look over every frosty-looking even¬ 
ing, to see if there are a few beads ready for cutting, 
or the leaves to be turned in over the head as a pro¬ 
tection. 
Mint. —If any have neglected their mint-forcing, 
let them take a few roots and place in pots or pans; 
water them well, and place them in their cucumber or 
other beds where there is bottom-heat. This forcing 
is necessary wherever early green spear-mint is re¬ 
quired. James Barnes & W. 
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 
OUR VILLAGE WALKS. 
No. 20. 
I am writing in the last week of January, yet spring 
seems fairly to have opened upon the ever-beautiful . 
earth ; for I have seen the first squirrel, heard the first | 
lark, and have gathered a twig of sallow with the 
first silky buds shining like pearls on the dark stem, 
i Shall we ever weary of welcoming the gladsome 
i spring, with her innumerable beauties, although, 
1 year after year, she dawns upon us with the same 
glittering freshness, and presents the same features 
to the eye and mind? 
Wo have had abundant proof that the graceful 
squirrels have passed their winter cheerily, for the 
ground has been strewed with the tips of the spruce 
fir, which they have thrown away after their wasteful 
meals ; but I have not seen them frisking among the 
boughs for many weeks. Three days ago, 1 was sur¬ 
prised at the sight of one scudding over the beds of 
dead leaves that lie thickly on the ground among the 
woods, and springing up an oak. The colour was so 
much like that of the dead leaves, that I should have 
fancied it a large leaf dancing before the gust, as I 
have so often seen them do, but for the feathery tail, 
which gives so much grace to their light movements. 
The little creature seemed full of glee; it sprang 
coquettishly up the tree, keeping cautiously on the 
opposite side, but peeping occasionally at me as it 
ascended, and seemed to luxuriate in the returning 
mildness that permitted it once again to enjoy its 
native freedom and buoyant spirits. What a gay, 
happy-lookiug creature, is a squirrel! how light and 
elegant are its movements, as it bounds across the 
lawn, or springs from tree to tree ! They shoot along 
the delicate sprays of the larch, scarcely appearing to 
touch them, or to agitato the boughs, except when a 
shower has fallen, and then the glittering drops fall 
like rain, marking the rapid course and agile leaps of 
the lively animal. We are almost tempted to envy 
their life and lightheartedness, as *we watch them. 
We cannot help, sometimes, a shade of sadness pass¬ 
ing for one instant through our minds, when we see 
the joyous animation, the freedom from care, of a 
thoughtless squirrel, so different from the sober reali¬ 
ties, and the withering anxieties of man’s troubled 
life! Yet, let us learn another lesson among the 
whispering, nay, the vocal, woods—vocal with more 
than music. They tell us that “man disquieteth 
I himself in vain,” that the loving and bountiful band 
that feeds and fosters the beasts that perish, will as 
surely supply every want of those whom “ he so 
loved,” as to give for their ransom his own beloved 
Son; and, that if we would only “ taste, and see how 
! gracious the Lord is,” no bounding squirrel could 
spring so lightly, so rapturously as our hearts ! No 
summer breeze coidd breathe such melody as we 
I should utter then ! 
It always creates regret when we see such active 
1 creatures confined in cages; and we are obliged to 
i take comfort in reflecting that, as they have no minds, 
j they are far less susceptible of captivity than we 
| imagine. Still, I caunot bear to see them shut up 
from air, and the delicious enjoyment of their own 
bright, beautiful land, and joyous companions. I re¬ 
member my sister once bringing up a young one that 
had been taken from the nest, and it throve, and 
seemed contented and happy, nestling itself at night 
in a handful of moss, which it picked out in the most 
careful way, till every little blade was separated, and 
it seemed as if curled up in a bed of gauze. The 
cage was placed one morning near a window, and my 
sister was startled by hearing the squirrel utter a 
piercing, agonizing cry. On hastening to ascertain 
the cause, she saw the poor little creature gazing in- 
: tently on one of its own species, frisking among the 
boughs of a tree close to the window where it dwelt 
in solitude. Who coidd resist that piteous appeal ? 
