Year: 1861

The breath of spring is abroad over the field
and meadow. The frost is coming out of the
ground, and already, in many places, the soil is
workabej 1t is not indeed quite time to plant
and SOW in the open ground, but much may
be done in March to forward the work of the
garden. The seed for


EARLY POTATOES


should now be selected. They may he ad-
vanced in the time of ripening several days by
putting them in warm room before they are
planted The sprouts should not be over ait
inch in length when they are put in the soil,
and they may be planted as soon as the ground
is in good working condition. OF course,
early varieties should be selected for this pur-
pose. The ground should slope to the south
or east and should be made rich with stable
manure, applied while in a fermented state
This should be done for all the ground devoted
to early Vegetables. The temperature of the
soil is raised several degrees by the ferment-
ing manure, and it receives the heat of the sun
more freely than it be if it were not deeply
worked.


A better method still to get very early pota-
toes is, to put them in gentle hot bed about
the middle of March, and cover them with
about two inches of earth. They may be split
and laid in rows about an inch apart. They
will be up an inch high or more in about three
weeks, and should be put out like cabbage
plants where they are to grow as soon as the
weather becomes settled. If planted deep
light frost will not kill them, though the tops
may be injured. In this way potatoes may be
raised for market by the last week in June
The yield will not be as large, but the increas-
ed price OF early potatoes will more than make
up the deficiency.


EARLY ASPARAGUS.


We can have this by putting hot bed frame
over any part of an old that is convenient
The outside should be protected by horse ma
nure. A frame twelve feet by six covered with
glass; will give several cuttings before the lux
ury can be enjoyed from the open ground
The whole bed should he cleaned off and COW
cred with two or three inches of stable manure
or rich compost. The secret of asparagus is
manure. Refuse salt, peck to the square rod,
is good dressing for this vegetable


PIE PLANT.


We have scarcely vegetable that will bear
forcing so rapidly as this. The Myatt's Lin
mean is very early, well as excellent in
quality. A week or ten days may be gained
by putting the roots on the south side of a
wall or building, where they can have the ben
eft of the sun. If not manfred in the fall,
they should be dug around Immediate
ly, and furnished with plenty of horse manure.
1t is gross feeder, and you can hardly make
the ground too rich for II.


Ii hot bed frame is put over a couple of
strong plants, about the first of March, the sea-
son may be still further fastened. This is one
of the best vegetables, as wholesome as it is
palatable.


PREPARING THE GROUND.


Too much cannot be said upon a thorough
and seasonable preparation of the garden for
all early crops. Try trenching, if you have
not. Put the spade down two spits deep, and
work in half cord of manure to the square
rod, if you want to see carrots beets, parsnips
and satisfy grow. A simple square rod vel
trenched and manured, often opens new era
in garden. 1t gives the owner new ideas o.
the capacities of the soil, and we may add, %
the expense of working garden. But we vii
not talk of that. But trenching, expensive as
it is, pays better with us than shallow plow
ing.


PURCHASE OF SEEDS,


if you have not raised them, should be attend
ed to Immediately. The most costly seeds tina
you can find are generally the cheapest if they
/ come from reliable party. The seed MAJ
who has carefully selected his plants or root
ought to have pay for his trouble. Make up
list of what you will need, and order them i'm
mediatey, unless you are going to the city
yourself in day or two.


Many crops may be put in to advantage, thu
last of March. Early peas may 60 in as sool
as the ground is open. Onions for rarerpe
: may be put out soon as the ground can b.
J worked, and the seed may be sown at the sam
D time. Even if the ground is frozen they ar
not injured. This crop,is frequently raised il
carrots, as a succession crop, and if the groun'
t is made rich, the last crop is worth nearly a
much as the first We have frequently sow e.
: onions thirteen inches apart in drills, April Isl
and carrots hetween nbout June 10th. and ha
5 both crops excellent The onions came Of
= early in August, and the carrots have tn
{ ground.