gh the times
named for certain operations are the best as an average, peculiarities
of climate and of season will require some modifications, which each one
must discover for himself; and after the seed of any vegetable has been
sown it is not always needful to give subsequent reminders of
successional sowings. These naturally follow in accordance with the
requirements of each particular garden. With such allowances duly made,
these notes will, it is hoped, prove thoroughly practical, and tend
materially to aid the cultivator in obtaining from the vegetable garden
an abundance of everything in its season, and of a quality of which he
need not be ashamed.

==JANUARY==

Work in the garden during the opening month of the year is entirely
dependent on the weather, and it is futile to enter on a vain conflict
with Nature. When heavy rains prevail keep off the ground, but
immediately it will bear traffic without poaching be prepared to take
advantage of every favourable hour. Much may be done in January to make
ready for the busy spring, and every moment usefully employed will
relieve the pressure later on. Survey the stock of pea-sticks, haul out
all the rubbish from the yard, and make a 'smother' of waste prunings
and heaps of twitch and other stuff for which there is no decided use.
If properly done, the result will be a black ash of the most fertilising
nature, such as a mere fire will not produce. Should the soil be
frost-bound wheel out manure and lay it in heaps ready to be spread and
dug in where seed-beds are to be made. If the weather is open and dry,
trench spare plots and make ready well-manured plots for sowing Peas and
Beans. So far as may be convenient, all preparatory work should be
pushed on with vigour, and every effort must be made to lay up as much
land in the rough as possible; for the more it is frozen through the
greater will be its fertility, and the more beautiful, as well as more
abundant, the crops.

It is a matter of the most ordinary prudence to be prepared to resist
the shock of a severe frost. When this event occurs, many suffer loss
because they are not prepared for it. Good brick walls and substantial
roofs are needed for the safe keeping of fruits and the more valuable
kinds of roots; but when rough methods are resorted to, such as clamping
and pitting, there should be a large body of stuff employed, for a
prolonged frost will find its way through any thin covering, no matter
what