Vegetables

Vegetables. - If the ground is dry enough to work, any land hitherto neglected may be dug, or trenched, and manured. Light soil can generally be cultivated in January. Heavy ground cannot if the weather is wet. Seize the opportunity presented by frostbound ground to do any carting that may be necessary, such as the transport of manure. The seed order for the year should be sent off, as if it is left until the time that it is desired to sow there may be delay. Asparagus may be forced if a heated pit is at command, or if there is sufficient manure to make up, and maintain, the heat in a hotbed. The crowns should be at least three years old. Cauliflowers may be sown in a box if there is a warm house, pit, or hotbed. If hardened and planted out of doors in April they will be ready to cut in June. Celery should be covered with litter in case of severe frost. Onions may be sown in boxes, and placed in gentle heat to give large bulbs. Potato sets intended for seed may be stood on end in shallow boxes and fully exposed to the light, but kept safe from frost. Rhubarb may be forced, either by lifting strong crowns and packing them in soil in a pit with a temperature of about 50°, or covering with an empty box, in turn heaped with litter, out of doors. Seakale may also be forced in a similar way.

Fruit

Fruit. - Fruit trees of various kinds may be planted if the weather will permit of the soil being worked. (See Vegetables.) Strawberries may be planted. Early Vines, or those desired to give ripe Grapes as early as June, must be started in a temperature of 50° to 6o°. Early Peaches may also be started, and should have 45° to 55° of heat.

Flower Garden

Flower Garden. - Soil may be prepared as for vegetables. Trees and shrubs may be planted if the weather is open. Bulbs may still be planted if the weather is dry enough. Roses may be planted. Carnations should have any leaves affected by disease picked off. Snapdragons may be sown in a box in a warm house, pit, or frame for summer blooming. Tuberous Begonias may also be sown for the current season's flowering. The soil must be made very fine, as the seed is small. Verbenas may be sown for summer flowering in the garden. Lobelias (stock plants) may be put on a shelf in a warm house to give shoots for cuttings.

Greenhouse and Conservatory

Greenhouse and Conservatory. - Allamandas used as roof plants may be cleansed and pruned. Bougainvilleas may be treated similarly. Chrysanthemums may be propagated by means of cuttings, which root best if covered with a bellglass to exclude air. Hyacinths and Tulips in pots should be examined if covered with fibre or ashes, in order that the shoots may not push far. Lily of the Valley crowns may be put in damp moss and placed on hot water pipes, or otherwise forced.