_Kitchen Garden._--Wheel out manure and composts during frosty
weather; trench vacant ground not turned up roughly in autumn. Sow
early peas in a cold frame for transplanting. Sow also first-crop
peas, early in the month, and William I. towards the end; Early
Seville and Early Longpod beans; and short-topped radish in two or
three sowings, at a week's interval, all on a warm border; also Hardy
Green and Brown cos lettuce in a frame or on south border. Plant
shallots and Ashleaf potatoes on a warm border. Protect broccoli as it
becomes fit for use, or remove to a dry shed or cellar; lettuces and
endive, which are best planted in frames; and parsley in frames so as
to be accessible.
_Fruit Garden._--Plant fruit trees in open weather, if not done in
autumn, which is the proper season, mulching over the roots to protect
them from frost, and from drought which may occur in spring. Prune
fruit trees in mild weather or in moderate frosts, nailing only in
fine weather. Wash trees infested with insects with one of the many
insecticides now obtainable. Take off grafts, and lay them aside in
moist earth in a shady place.
_Forcing._--Prepare manure for making up hotbeds for early cucumbers
and melons, where pits heated with hot water are not in use; also for
Ashleaf potatoes. Sow also in heat mustard and cress for salads,
onions for salads; tomatoes, celery to be pricked out for an early
crop; and Early Horn carrot and kidney-beans on slight hotbeds. Force
asparagus, sea-kale and rhubarb, in hotbeds, in pits, in the
mushroom-house or in the open garden by the use of covers surrounded
with warm litter; for cucumbers a top heat of 70 deg.; for vines in
leaf and flower a temperature ranging from 65 deg. to 70 deg. Keep
forced strawberries with swelling fruit well watered. Plant vine eyes
for propagation in a brisk heat.
_Plant Houses._--Give abundance of air to the greenhouse, conservatory
and alpine frame in mild weather, but use little water. A supply of
roses, kalmias, rhododendrons, &c., and of hardy flowers and bulbs, as
lily of the valley, hyacinths, tulips, daffodils, &c., should be kept
up by forcing.
_Flower Garden._---Plant out tubers and bulbs of border flowers, where
neglected in autumn, deferring the finer florists' flowers till next
month. Transplant herbaceous plants in light soils, if not done in
autumn; also deciduous trees, shrubs and hedges. Lay edgings in fine
weather. Sow mignonette, stocks, &c., in pots; sow sweet peas and a
few hardy annuals on a warm border. Give auriculas and carnations
abundance of air, but keep the roots rather dry to prevent damping
off.