CALENDARIAL INDEX. 
115 
vools are in good repair, and procure such new ones as may be necessary 
It is now time to set about procuring and preparing materials for, and form¬ 
ing hot-beds. Clean trees from moss, and protect them against mice 
and rabbits by whitewashing with lime, or smearing with some composi¬ 
tion which is offensive to those vermin. Enter in earnest into the business 
of forwarding various kinds of seedling plants, by artificial means, so that 
they can have strong roots, and arrive at some size by the time they would 
naturally make their first appearance above ground. This may well be 
done by adopting Mr. Armstrong’s method with regard to melons, G4. At¬ 
tend to your fruit in your fruit-room or cellar, on shelves or in boxes, and, it 
necessary, pick it over, and cull out whatever is defective ; wipe the re¬ 
mainder dry, and pack it away anew. But if it is put down in some sort of 
grain, dry sand, flax-seed chaff, or, what is probably best of all, pulverized 
plaster of Paris, you will not need to meddle with it. You may now, per¬ 
haps, begin to force asparagus in hot-beds, 14. Sow under glass cases, for 
transplanting or otherwise, radishes, carrots, small salads, peas, beans, &c. 
Protect choice plants, which may show a disposition to vegetate, by matting, 
litter, cases of wicker, old bark, and other proper means. 
MARCH. 
Lettuce may be sowed in the open ground as soon as frost will permit, 
62. It may be sowed between vacant rows, intended for other plants, and 
pulled out for use before the other plants are large enough to be encumbered 
by it. Early peas cannot be planted too soon after the ground is thawed, 
82. Radishes may be sowed as soon as the seed can be raked in. Sow’ 
cabbages, cucumbers, melons, cauliflowers, squashes, &c. in hot-beds, under 
glasses, &c., 49, 61, 104. Dig up vacant ground, applying manure. Dress 
borders, and clip edgings of box. Clean, relay, or make new’ gravel walks. 
Attend to, and turn over compost beds. Dress asparagus beds, or make new’ 
ones the latter part of this month or the beginning of April, 14. Select from 
your cellar the best cabbages w’ith heads, and set them in some proper place 
to stand for seed. Set the different kinds remote from each other, to pre¬ 
vent their mixing at the time of blossoming. Likewise, set some of your 
best cabbage stumps for early salad and greens If the ground is moist, set 
shallow; if dry, place them about six inches deep. Small salading, such as 
cresses, 48, mustard, 70, 71, radish, 95, &c., when a constant supply is 
wanted, should be sowm once a w r eek or fortnight. Celery for an early crop 
may be sown in this month, though the principal sowing had better be 
deferred till April, 43. Artichokes should be sow’ed as early as the season 
will permit, 12, and horse-radish. 
APRIL. 
In the Eastern States generally, and in those parts of the Middle States 
where the ground is naturally somewhat moist and heavy, this is the month 
for sowing the principal garden crops. Sow’ the hardy kinds as soil, site and 
season will permit, that the plants may be firmly established before they 
are overtaken by the heat and drought of summer. But a stiff and moist 
soil should never, on any account, be dug, plowed or harrowed v’hen it is so 
wet as to be clammy and adhesive. On the other hand, a light, sandy soil 
will be meliorated by being hoed, or otherwise wrought on while moist. 
