If the soil be thrown up during the open weather into ridges, an
immense number of insects will be unburrowed and destroyed; stiff
clayey soils will be rendered more crumbling and mellow by exposure to
frost. If advantage is taken of the weather to haul manure, let it be
stacked up, and a little earth thrown over it, else the volatile and
most valuable portions will escape. Ashes may be spread over the
garden; a small portion of refuse salt will benefit the ground, and
may be sown now. Clear the ground of all vines, stalks, haulm. If you
have flowering bulbs, cover slightly with coarse manure—they will not
be so much tried by the changes of temperature and moisture, and will
flower stronger for it. Bright, dry days afford a fine time for going
to the woods and cutting poles for your beans, stakes for your trees
and dahlias, brush for peas, etc. While you are about it, collect moss
from old logs, and put away in the barn or shed to cover the ground in
summer where roses and shrubs have been newly set out, and require to
be kept moist. If not done before, put two or three forks full of
coarse green manure about tender shrubs—Noisette and China roses.
Freezing and thawing at the crown of the roots, destroys them oftener
than anything else.
On mild days when the earth is open, sow lettuce seed in a warm
corner, beat it gently with the back of the shovel, and cover it
slightly with fine earth or old crumbling manure. You will have
lettuce ten days earlier for your trouble. Pepper-grass and radishes
may be sowed in like manner.
☞ Let alone the knife and saw. Your vines and trees will not be
benefited by any pruning at this season.