Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-04-29
Gardening Operations.

1t is we'll to be in readiness for the comence-
ment of gardening operations at the earliest peri
cd which the state of the weather and the condi-
ton of the soil will admit, Some articles can
hardly be put into the ground too soon after the
frost has left it. This is the case with peas, let
tuces radishcs, early cabbages, parsneps, spinach,
parsley, &c. 1t is rare that these plants are Kill
led by frosts that occur after the season has so
far advanced that the ground has once become
fairly settled.
Forpeas, the earliest varieties, such as the Ear
Iy Washington, the Prince Albert, and the Cedo-
NULL, should be chosen, and they should be plant
ed on the warmest and most sheltered Soils
Parsneps and spinach, also, may be sown in the
open air as soon as the ground can be worked.
1t is a great advantage to give some plants a
start in a hot-bed; particularly lettuce, cabbage
cucumbers, tomatoes, and egg-plants. By fore
ing in this way, several weeks may be gained
over plants grown in the open air The chief
advantage of raising plants by this mode of arti-
fetal heat, is to have them in an advanced state
by the time it will do to transfer then to the open
grounds; but cucumbers and early radishes may
remain in the beds till they are so fSr matured as
to be fit for use,
In this latitude it is not deemed advisable to
start hot beds until March, but farther south, they
may be put in operation in February. 1t is Of
| but little use to force plants which are designed
to be afterwards transferred to the open air, until
the spring has commenced and there is a prob
ability that the weather would not be SO severe
after they are set out as to seriously check thei
growth, 1t is an injury to keep them in the ho
bed after they have reached the proper size fo
| off ont tho &c IN f1rnXU NM
it is called, giving them long stems, which pre-
vents their growth.
Hot-beds should be sunk in the ground to tn,
depth of eighteen inches or two feet They re
quire large supply of moisture, and if mad
wholly on the surface, they dry up so rapidly tia
E they must be watered great deal. IT, however
it becomes necessary to make the bed on we
ground, no excavation need be made, as the cold
ness of such situation might prevent the manure
: from fermenting, if deeply placed in the earth
In vol tx, p. SIS, of the Cultvator will be foun
- some very good directions in regard to the con
= struction of hot-beds
" The weather may be so cold as to render
! necessary to use straw mats to keep the air i
the beds of a requisite temperature. But the
are liable at times to become too hot; hence the
- should be often examined, and the proper temper
. allure secured by sliding the glasses; always at
y y hitting as much external air as the plants wi
bear. Water should be given frequently.
, A deep mellow soil is all important for garden
= and the use of the subsoil pillow may be adopte
- to good advantage, in situations where teams ca
% be made to do the work. In general, howeve
. garden-work must be done by the spade. FC
most garden purposes, rotted manure is prefers
= = BILE. Composts, which were formed the year pr
"a vious, and have been well worked over sever
times, till they have become thoroughly fine, al
of best for most purposes. A good compost is mac
- of two parts of stable or barn manure, two
" peat or muck one of tough grass sods, and or
u of leached ashes; mixed as equally as possible
u heap Ifput up in summer, the mass will soc