THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, March 19, 1861. 
S61 
Day 
of 
M’nth 
Day 
of 
Week. 
MARCH 19—25, 1861. 
Weather near London in 1860. 
Sun 
Rises. 
Sun 
Sets. 
Moon 
Rises 
and Sets 
Moon’s 
Age. 
Clock 
before 
Sun. 
Day ofj 
Year. 
*■ 3 X 
Barometer. 
Therm un. 
Wind. 
Rain in 
Inches. 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
M 
Tv 
W 
Th 
F 
S 
Sun 
M 
ETEORC 
Cyclamens. 
Erythronium. 
Sun’s declin. 0° 21 1 n. 
Fumaria. 
Ixia. 
Palm Sunday. ♦ 
Lady Day. 
>LOGY OP THE — At Chiswi 
29.972—29.962 
30.121—30.109 
29.967—29.726 
29.554-29.367 
29.823—29.712 
29-020—28.949 
29.487-29.147 
deg. d'g. 
55—33 
53—3) 
52—41 
51—23 
50-31 
49— 35 
50— 34 
W. 
s.w. 
s.w. 
s.w. 
N.W. 
S.W. 
N.W. 
•01 
•01 
•04 
•03 
•03 
m. h. 
7 af 6 
5 6 
2 6 
0 6 
V 
55 5 
53 5 
m. h. 
9 af 6 
11 6 
12 6 
14 6 
16 6 
17 6 
19 6 
m. h. 
58 1 
45 2 
23 3 
52 3 
16 4 
37 4 
56 4 
D 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
m. s. 
7 53 
7 35 
7 17 
6 58 
6 40 
6 22 
6 3 
78 
79 
80 
81 
82 
83 
84 
a _ , v>qiswick, irom obsGrvGtions durinsr 
temperatures of these days are 50.8" and 33.7" respectively. The neatest heat 
onthe 20th in 1845. During the period 152 days were fin? and onTera ? n S’ 
69" 
last tmrty-four years, the average highest and lowest 
, occurred on the 24th, in 1858; and the lowest cold, 16", 
WORE FOR THE WEEK. 
KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Capsicums, pot off the young plants as soon as they 
are fit, and place them in a hotbed-frame. They are 
very subject to the green fly which should be destroyed 
immediately it is observed. Carrots, the weather is now 
favourable for getting in the main crops. Celery, prick 
out the early sown into boxes or on a slight hotbed. 
When they have taken fresh root-hold give'them air at 
every favourable opportunity. Cucumbers, as soon as 
the frames are uncovered in the morning, give a little 
air for an hour to let the stagnant air pass off, when they 
may be closed again until the day is further advanced. 
As soon as the principal shoots have reached the sides of 
the frame, never allow any of the laterals to grow more 
than two joints before being stopped. Jerusalem A.rti- 
clioJces,' if not yet planted no time should be lost in getting 
them in. Kidney Beans, make another sowing in pots ; 
keep the bearing plants frequently syringed to keep 
down red spider. Lettuce, some of the best plants that 
have been wintered in frames may now be put out, some 
under a south wall, and others in a more open situation. 
Onions, sow the main crops. If large ones are required, 
plant the very small bulbs of last year, or the autumn- 
sown plants, in very rich ground, or the largest may be 
got by treading the ground well and laying 8 inches of very 
rotten dung upon it, on this sow the seed of the Madeira 
variety, and cover with a little fine earth. Peas, stick 
the early crops as soon as they are earthed up. Purs¬ 
lane, make, a sowing on a warm border. Radishes, sow 
for successional crops. The Turnip-rooted sort may now 
be sown. Rhubarb, may now be forwarded by placing a 
hand-glass over the roots, with a little litter around the 
bottom to prevent the ingress of cold winds. Savoy, make 
a good sowing of the Dwarf Green. Salsafy, sow, as 
also Scorzonera, in drills from 9 inches to 1 foot apart. 
FLOWER GARDEN. 
As many of the Asters, Phloxes, Veronicas, and other 
such strong-growing herbaceous plants throw up too 
many flower-shoots, where such is the case it is advisable 
to thin them out at once, not only to obtain fine heads of 
bloom, but also to increase the strength of the remaining 
shoots, when they will require less assistance from sticks. 
The Hybrid, China, Perpetual, and other Roses to be 
pruned and top-dressed with rotten dung. Sow hardy 
annuals in patches, a slight covering for the seed will 
be sufficient. Mark the places with small sticks, or make 
a small ring which will prevent any other things being 
planted over them. 
FRUIT GARDEN. 
Attend carefully to the protection of the opening 
blossoms of fruit trees. Straw or hay ropes, as pre¬ 
viously recommended, are excellent protectors. Yew 
or spruce branches are also of service, being careful that 
they are so fixed as not to be liable to be blown against 
the blossom. 
STOVE. 
Shake out and repot the plants that had been cut back, 
Ho. 651.— Vol. XXV. Ho. 25. 
I as previously advised, and encourage a free growth by 
syringings, &c. Attend to regular shifting, watering, 
and a free and healthy circulation of air in the morning 
—air without draught. Follow up the shifting of Orchids 
and top dressing in general, syringing freely those on 
blocks and baskets ; to be done early on sunny mornings, 
giving extra air with a little fire heat on such occasions 
to dissipate any excess of moisture. 
GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY. 
The training of the creepers in the conservatory to be 
carefully attended to, and do not allow the plants that are 
turned out permanently into the borders to suffer for want 
of water. Shift when necessary Australian and Cape 
plants in a growing state, as also Pelargoniums, Calceo¬ 
larias, and Cinerarias, to make fine specimens. Clean 
away dead flowers from Heaths, and cut back those that 
are in a healthy condition before they make their season’s 
growth. Attention to be given to the stopping of vigorous 
shoots to-produce handsome specimens. Pelargoniums 
to be neatly trained in due time, and to be kept clear 
of the green fly by Heal’s Pastils. Air to be given at all 
favourable opportunities, which is easily distinguished 
by the difference between a cold north, or north-east, 
and a south or south-west soft, mild wind. When the 
Camellias have done blooming examine the roots and 
give the plants a shift if they require it, using equal 
parts of turfy loam and peat with a sprinkling of sand, 
to be kept close and liberally supplied with moisture, 
root and branches, until they have set their flower-buds, 
when they may be gradually hardened off by the ad¬ 
mission of air. 
FORCING-PIT. 
This will now be a suitable place for encouraging the 
stock of various stove plants, such as Ardisias, Cleroden- 
drons, Echites, Gardenias, Gesneras, Gloxinias, Ixoras, 
Brunsfelsias, Poinsettias, Thunbergias, &c.; the whole of 
them delight in a humid atmosphere with gentle bottom 
heat, and an occasional application of clear, diluted 
manure water. 
PITS AND FRAMES. 
Put in cuttings of everything that is likely to be 
j wanted for spring planting. A mild frame heat is most 
1 suitable for striking them in. Pot off struck cuttings as 
fast as room can be made, by removing the more hardy 
kinds to colder situations, to harden off for the first 
planting. Pot off Ten-week and other Stocks as soon as 
they are ready. W. Keane. 
DOIHGS OF THE LAST WEEK. 
Swept driven leaves from lawn, rolled ditto. Swept and 
rolled walks, ns if, with the slightest fall to the sides, they are 
kept well rolled and firm, the wet does not enter, and, therefore, 
neither heavy rains nor severe frosts have much effect upon 
them. A smooth, firm, dry walk in winter may always be looked 
upon in the light of a luxury ; and though stone and asphalt, 
and various modifications of tar and gravel, will be much cheaper 
ultimately than good gravel, none of them are so pleasant and 
