1869.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 449 



bed-making — the leaves retain the heat and keep the bed regular for 

 a long time. A hotbed here, which was made last November with a 

 large proportion of Beech-leaves among the dung, is still warm, and 

 plenty of Cucumbers are produced. We have seen some Pine-Apple 

 growers stack and thatch their tree-leaves as one would corn. Let 

 everything be done now to help on winter work. Any improvements 

 and renovations may be executed ; box edgings made and repaired ; 

 gravelling walks, draining, trenching, and preparing for fruit-tree plant- 

 ing : collecting of soils, &c., may be carried on when opportunity 

 affords. Ordinary trenching and digging may be commenced, but we 

 prefer leaving this work till most of the tree-leaves are down. Let 

 more Cabbage be planted if required. If those left in the seed-bed 

 are loosened or otherwise disturbed, let them either have some clean 

 earth placed round the roots, or lift them and place them in sheltered 

 quarters. Where there is no fence or wall for shelter, much can be 

 done by using Pea-stakes thickly on the north and east sides of the 

 plants. Lettuce and Cauliflower may still be planted and otherwise 

 attended to, as advised last month. Let slugs and other unwelcome 

 visitors be carefully looked after. Dustings of lime and small coal-ashes 

 over every surface where young plants are growing will keep them safe. 

 About the end of the month Lettuce and Endive ready for use, 

 lifted with all their roots and placed in earth under protection, will 

 keep up a supply for some time. Growing plants of the above may be 

 planted in frames, giving plenty of air when weather is dry and not 

 frosty, and when wet bricks may be placed at top and bottom of the 

 sashes in the way which market growers use their !Mignonette, 

 Stocks, Radishes, &c., through the winter. No one would imagine 

 the attention they give to airing unless they witnessed the men 

 at work ; and well the attention given is remunerated. En- 

 dive may be blanched by placing slates or boards over the plants ; 

 doing a small quantity frequently will keep up a supply. Carrots 

 may now be lifted and stored aw^ay. Let them be moderately dry 

 before they are taken under cover ; large heaps of them are liable to 

 decay if stored away damp. A quantity of dry straw thrown over 

 them will keep them as well as anything. A pit built in the earth, 

 with covering to keep out frost, damp, &c., makes a good " store" for 

 roots of all kinds. The best for the purpose we know is an old ice- 

 house, with shelves round the sides, and covered over, water and rat 

 proof. Celery may be earthed-up as required, allowing the hearts to 

 remain clear of the soil. Keep the leaves erect and compact. If the 

 ground should be dry, give a good soaking of manure-water before 

 earthing-up. Earthing-up Cabbage, Savoys, Kale, &c., may be done 

 with advantage at this season, especially if they are in exposed posi- 



