It is not necessary to make a great stir about the uses to which a Garden Calendar is, or should be, put; suffice it to say it is a reminder, and that is enough. It may strike some of our northern friends that in this Calendar we are much too fast; that if they followed our directions they would spoil some crops, lose others, and be always wrong. They are, perhaps, three weeks or a month behind us. They must make allowance for this, because it is quite certain that no directions will apply to all climates; we have simply provided for the centre of England. The Devonshire people will say we are far too slow; but, in like manner, they must start accordingly. The extremes of north-east and southwest may observe a full month's difference in their climates. All we have done is to give a good routine of vegetable gardening for the entire year among amateur cultivators; and we must leave others to begin when they please, according to the climate they inhabit. There are some things that do require a little care as to the time of sowing; but there is a good deal more importance attached to seasons for cropping than belongs to them. In private gardens we always recommend frequent sowings; and, as to planting out, we believe we have put things in every month in the year.

Cabbages, for instance, we have always used to fill up vacant spaces, and all have done well. All other greens - such as broccoli of sorts, Brussels sprouts, cauliflowers, savoys, and the like - we have planted out from May to September from the same seed-bed, simply drawing the largest plants as soon as there were enough for a row, and have continued to do so as long as there were any to draw. We have advised nothing that we have not successfully practised ourselves, and our readers may rely upon it, if they only pay ordinary attention, procure good seeds and plants, and well manure their ground, they will not fail in any one of the various subjects mentioned in this Calendar.

January

Artichokes, Globe

These must be protected through the winter with litter or earth, as they are not sufficiently hardy to stand severe weather without.

Asparagus

Well manure the beds, but do not attempt to dig them. In short, merely lay the manure on so that the rain will wash the goodness down to the roots by degrees.

Beans, Broad

Towards the end of the month seed may be sown on an open compartment, the soil of which has been well manured and deeply dug. You may also sow a few in frames for transplanting.

Cabbages

These may be planted out in favourable weather, wherever you have room; they are useful at all seasons, even in the height of summer, when other vegetables run short.

Cauliflowers

Seed may be sown on a gentle hotbed, or in a pan to be placed in a frame or greenhouse, for planting out in March or April.

Cucumbers

These may be begun now ; or if begun last year, look to the linings, and see the heat does not decline.

Horse-Radish

For the purpose of ensuring good sticks for Christmas use, this may be planted early.

The crowns should be inserted in well-manured trenches fifteen inches in depth and nine inches apart in the row.

Lettuces

Sow seed of a few good sorts in pans to be placed in a frame or on a gentle hot-bed, to be ready for planting out by-and-by.

Peas

These may be treated in precisely the same manner as advised for broad beans, as it is impossible to grow them too carefully. The higher the haulm the better the produce; and bear this in mind, that deep trenches well-manured for this crop, in a measure prepares it for others to follow, such as cauliflowers, celery, broccoli, etc.

Mice And Birds

The former do great damage at times to peas while in the ground, and when up an inch or so above the soil the latter are equally destructive. The former may be kept down by means of the following trap, Fig. 6: - Have a stout stake two feet in length (1) driven one-third into the ground, to the top of which fasten a stout bit of twine (4). On the lower end of this twine thread a few dry peas; secure the twine to another stake eight inches long (2), and drive this into the ground, out of sight, having balanced a brick in the position shown at 3. The mice will nibble at the peas, cut the twine with their teeth, when down will come the brick, and thus crush them. As a protection against birds the pea-guard, Fig. 7, will be found invaluable, and the pea-trellis, Fig. 8, infinitely neater in appearance and far more lasting and economical than sticks of any kind.

Fig. 6.

Fig. 7.

Fig. 8.

Potatoes

Early crops of these are always appreciated ; and the way to insure them is to plant at once on an exhausted hot-bed, or a bed of leaves, then covering with light rich soil, and placing a frame over them for protection. By way of extra precaution, a little litter may be heaped round the frame in frosty weather. The earliest varieties of rounds and kidneys are the proper sorts to employ for this early work.

Spinach

Provided you are willing to risk a little seed for the possible chance of an early dish, you may sow at once in an open quarter, either broadcast or in drills one foot apart. Should you happen to have any autumn-sown spinach you must keep it entirely free from weeds, and regularly gathered as fast as the leaves become large enough for the purpose, as it is a plant that soon runs to seed.

Words Of Advice

As we are entirely at the mercy of the weather, we must be prepared for every emergency; in the first place we must keep off the ground as much as possible during heavy rains, but be ready to go on it as soon as it will bear treading upon. Then, again, we should take advantage of frosty weather for wheeling out manure wherever it is required to be dug in, for making seed-beds, and so forth. You may likewise, in wet weather, examine your stock of bean and pea sticks, and get them pointed ready for inserting in the ground when wanted. Should the weather be open and dry, all vacant spaces may be manured and trenched ready for the reception of crops that will have to be put in very shortly.