March 31. 
THE COTTAGE GAllDENEE. 
503 
that they are in height; this forms a very good cri¬ 
terion for the inexperienced, and but little is gained by 
having them closer. On the contrary, the crop is cer¬ 
tainly less on a given space of ground by their being 
crowded together. 
Sundries. — Examine the various pots or pans of 
Chilies, Tomatos, Vegetable Marrow, and other jjlants 
which it is common to raise in hotbeds in spiing, to 
plant out when confirmed summer weather arrives; 
these should be potted off, and re-potted as occa¬ 
sion requires, and more sown if needs be. Ridge 
Oucumbers should also be sown in pots plunged 
in heat, and the same said of some of the more 
tender sweet herbs, as Basil, Sweet Marjoram, &c., 
&c.; and, if not sown before, a few seeds of Indian 
Corn may be jiut in by those who have a wish to see 
this singular addition to our cereals, as it is likely 
to arrive sooner at pei’fection, and that of a more supe¬ 
rior kind, if raised in the first instance in pots; but 
then it must not be allowed to become “ pot-bouud; ” 
otherwise it is stunted in its growth to such a degree as 
to cripple its future efforts. 
Examine the beds in which Cucumbers and Melons 
are growing, and maintain a brisk, yet steady heat; 
and more of each kind may be sown, if reqiiired; pot- 
ting-off, in duo course, all that require it. Finish the 
planting of Potatoes on such grounds as the adverse 
weather rendered necessary to postpone; and plant 
Beans and otlier things on the same soils. Sow a few 
early Turnips on some sheltered border facing the 
south, which, however, must be protected at nights,after 
they come up, otherwise a very slight frost is said to make 
them run to seed aftewards. Lettuce may also be sown, 
both of the Cos and Cabbage kinds; and the same may 
be said of Cauliflowers, and, of course. Spinach must bo 
sown to meet the demands at the proper time; while 
Carrots rawy bo delayed a week or so longer, if the season 
bo adverse; as, likewise, may Bed Beet, Salsafy, and 
Scorzonera; but Parsnips, if not sown before, ought to 
be done without delay; and such things as Radishes, 
and similar small crops must be sown, as the wants of 
the family require other things in the same way. And 
the ordinary routine-work of digging vacant ground, 
preparing hot dung, composts, &c., attended to in due 
course ; and though last, not least, that proper regard 
paid to neatness in all things, without which good 
cultivatii'n and management are only half accomplished, 
while its presence gives that finish to objects, which 
brings them considei’tably nearer to that position we 
advise all to point to— i.e. “perfection.” .1. Robson. 
AGRICULTURAL ORERATIONS FOR MARCH. 
Draixing being one of the most important operations of 
the farming business, upon all tliose soils which are damaged 
by a superabundance of water, I beg to call the attention of 
parties intending to drain their land to the fact, that the 
mouth of jMarch is the best time of the year for setting 
out tlie work for drainers. 
'J'he land about tliis period generally begins to dry—ap¬ 
pearing white on the surface ; and, after the heavy rains of 
the winter months, those fields, or parts of fields, which 
are naturally ilry, will thus first evince the effects of dr}- 
weather; and, on the other hand, the land which is natu¬ 
rally wet, or which is affected l)y springs rising to the 
surface, will point out, by the damp, dark, and undried 
I appearance of the surface, the exact position of such spots 
as require to be drained. This will give the drainer an 
opportunity of planning his work with the greatest nicety 
and precision, and enable him to work with the greatest 
economy in the outlay, as well as to efi’ect the most perfect 
drainage of the soil. 
Those soils iu which gravel (jr sand predominate will be 
found to suffer mo.st from springs, and generally re<puro 
only partial drainage, more particularly where the land is 
hilly, and irregular in character, alternating between sand, 
gravel, and clay. It will be found that draining operations 
upon the above-named soils can always be most advan¬ 
tageously laid out where the laud is under tillage, having a 
fallow surface ; for the first dry weather in spring will 
exhibit, as it were, a map, whereon the wet and dry portions 
of the field will be distinctly marked. 
Upon level land of uniform nature and quality, where 
draining is required, it may be considered comparatively 
unimportant when the work is set out, because such lands 
gejierally require to be drained at nearly equal depth and 
distance between the drains ; indeed, upon soils requiring 
thorough draining, as it is termed, the work may be laid out 
and executed either with a turf or fallow surface, and at 
almost any period of the year with equal advantage. 
The foregoing observations are intended only to draw j 
attention to the best season for laying out draining work; j 
but it is intended, at a future time, to enlarge upon the 
subject, by shewing the best depth and distance for placing ^ 
(h-ains, according to the natm-e of the land, and the best 
materials to be used for effecting permanent and entire 
drainage of different soils. 
Oat-sowing. —The season has now arrived when the 
management and preparation of the land intended to be 
sown with Oats must engage our attention. No doubt the 
laud has all been ploughed, where it is intended for the 
oat crop either to follow wheat or grass lea of last year.—if 
not, the sooner it is ploughed the better, otherwise the 
slight frosts and drying winds peculiar to the month of 
March will not produce the usual beneficial etlects in pul¬ 
verising and chastening the soil; neither will it be possible 
to have the seed sown, as it should be, before the commence¬ 
ment of the mouth of April. All kinds of Oats will bo 
found to yield better, both as regards quantity and quality, 
when sown in the March mouth. 
The most difficult operation is the preparation of land 
for the oat crop, after feeding turnips on the land with 
sheep, particularly upon loamy land, which lias been 
trodden during wet weather. It is a common practice to 
plough the land, in such a case, immediately after the sheep 
have left the field, be it ever so heavy, and after a short 
time has elapsed to plough the second time, and then sow 
the seed; but the most advantageous plan, and the least 
expensive, will be found in allowing the land to remain 
until it is intended to be sown (which will give it time to 
get firm and mellow), then to plough a moderate depth— 
say three finches—sow the seed, harrow and roll the hand 
lierfectly fine, either the same day as ploughed, or the next 
day, as may be most convenient. In this manner a fine 
tilth will be insured, favourable both for the Oats and Clover 
seeds, which are usually sown at the same time. Oats 
generally succeed best sown broadcast: about four bushels 
per acre will be sufficient seed, where the laud is in good 
cultivation. 
The Wireworm is a great enemy to the Oat crop, when 
sown after Turnips eaten off by sheep; it is, therefore, a 
good plan to sow half-a-bushel of Barley per acre with the 
Oats, when intended for home consumption, as it improves 
the produce, both in quantity and value, and goes far to 
insure a plant of coni when attacked by the wireworm, for 
it often happens that the Oats are eaten by the worm and 
I the Barley left almost untouched. The Barley grows more 
! rapidly than the Oats, and thus insures a crop. The best 
j kind of Oats for sowing on good loamy or strong soils, are 
I the lilacic TartwrUoi, being good for a crop, and of fair 
! quality, usually weighing 3()lbs. to .38 lbs. per bushel. There 
are also other advantages attached to the growth of these ' 
Oats—they do well upon hilly and exposed situations, and, 
being firmly set, they do not readily shed their seed, or 
whip off with the wind at harvest; they will also stand ' 
longer without loss, in case the harvest is delayed by the 
pressure of other work, or the scarcity of labour. ^ 
The While Scutch Potato Oats, and the Black Siberian j 
kind, will be found well adapted for any dry soils in good 
condition, and upon level land, not much exposed to wind; 
they often i)rove very productive, and of excellent quality, 
weighing from 38 lbs. to dvJlbs. per bushel, but they always , 
require to be cut before they are (piite ripe, and the haivest : 
cannot be delayed without risk and loss. 
