1872. ] 
KITCHEN GARDENING- FOR FEBRUARY. 
31 
place. The good motto of Waste not , want not, might be very appropriately 
written up over the principal entrance to every garden, as a general reminder in 
reference to the subject of this article. 
A description of the plan we have adopted here, for a series of years, in 
utilizing all refuse vegetable matter, will serve to show how well the system 
works. I will begin with the piggeries. In front of these is an enclosure to 
which the pigs have free access. Here, throughout the summer and autumn 
months, is put all the vegetable refuse, such as the early-potato haulm, 
trimmings of kitchen stuff, cabbage and cauliflower stems and leaves, bean and 
pea haulm, &c. These are spread over the enclosed space, with occasional 
layers of fresh horse and cow litter, and remain during the season. By the time 
the yard feeding is over, the mass is well trodden down, and when thrown up to 
ferment, forms an excellent mixture of strong valuable manure. 
About the beginning of November we commence with the vegetable, or sweet 
heap, as the men call it. This is made in a corner of the store-heap ground, and 
consists of the vegetable and flower-bed clearings, which are spread out in layers 
as brought in, great care being, however, exercised to keep clear of seeding weeds. 
When the garden is entirely cleared, a thin layer of tree leaves is put over the 
refuse, and the whole is then covered with a thin coating of soil, and left to 
decay until the following November, by which time it is thoroughly decom¬ 
posed, and fit for use. I have for many years used nothing but this as a manure 
for flower-beds, for which I find it is admirably suited, while we are thus enabled 
to effect a saving of all stronger manures for vegetable culture.—J. Webster, 
Gordon Castle. 
KITCHEN GARDENING FOR FEBRUARY. 
PROPER rotation of crops is of the greatest importance, and should, 
as far as practicable, be carried out. In gardens where there is a 
large extent of ground there is no difficulty in doing this, but in small 
gardens, from which a large supply of vegetables has to be obtained, it is 
not so easy a matter ; still, wherever circumstances will admit, it should be 
practised. In general, all crops should be planted or sown in rows from south to 
north, in order that the sun may shine on every part of the soil between the 
rows, and equally on every side of the plants in the rows ; by this method also, the 
plants can be more easily thinned, and the soil hoed and stirred between them. 
Seeds should never be sown when the soil is wet, as, if they are old or not 
well ripened, they are liable to rot. When the soil is in a good condition, make 
a sowing of Early Horn Carrots , and Early Dutch Turnips , on a warm border ; 
also of Lettuces , Radishes , and Spinach. Sow a good breadth of Parsley. Towards 
the end of the month sow Callages for summer and autumn use; also some 
Brussels Sprouts , Broccoli , and Savoys , for early planting ; and if the soil be in a 
nice condition, the main crop of Onions may be got in. Make a small sowing of 
Leeks in a bed, to be transplanted, when fit, into trenches eighteen or twenty 
