1873.] 



CALENDAR. 



481 



KITCHEN-GARDEN. 



There is generally during this month 

 much to do iu the way of "clearing 

 up " in the kitchen-garden. The re- 

 mains of crops of all kinds should be 

 taken to a position to rot for future 

 dressing, or they can be turned into 

 the bottom of trenches where trenching 

 is being done. Weeds on vacant ground 

 may be collected in ridges and manure 

 wheeled over them, when the whole 

 can be dug down and the land left in 

 ridges for the winter. When weeds 

 are full of seed it is better to burn 

 them. This has often to be had re- 

 course to in places where the garden 

 has no rubbish-heap hidden from view. 

 We have ourselves fires going during 

 the most of the summer and winter 

 burning weeds, leaves, and grass, which 

 are full of rotten sticks; and this ma- 

 terial is of great value when mixed 

 with other enriching stuff. Cabbage 

 lately planted should be looked over to 

 see that grubs are not doing mischief. 

 A watering two or three times in suc- 

 cession will stop the work of vermin. 

 Often large grubs are found at the col- 

 lars of the plants, and can be picked 

 up and thus destroyed. Where Cab- 

 bage have to be planted, the work 

 should be finished as early as possible : 

 if they are of good size, and can be lift- 

 ed with all their roots, they will yet 

 make sufficient growth before winter 

 sets in. Smaller plants should be 

 cared for, and have the soil nicely 

 pressed to their stems ; a dusting of 

 ashes and soot among them will keep 

 slugs away. Cauliflower should now 

 be protected with frames ; hoops, on 

 which mats, &c., can be thrown in 

 severe weather, answer well. A bor- 

 der sheltered from north and east, 

 where damp does not lodge, is a good 

 position for wintering tlie plants in. 

 Those placed on ridges or borders 

 under hand lights should have plenty 

 of air, and mccins, such as dustings of 

 soot, be taken to kee]» away vermin. 

 Some plant Mazagan Beans about the 

 end of the month ; a dry warm border 

 should be chosen, and the seed should 

 be sown more thickly than during more 

 favourable seasons. Sowings made iu 

 boxes, &c., at the end of the year, to 

 be planted out when ready, is the 



system which giv^es least labour 

 and saves annoyance from mice, &c. 

 Peas may be left till next month if 

 thei-e are not means to raise them 

 under cover. Plant plenty of Let- 

 tuces thickly on ridges and borders 

 to come in early in spring ; damp is 

 their worst enemy. Lettuces which 

 were planted last month require to be 

 neatly gone through with a small hoe 

 or pointed stick. The surface should 

 be kept open, but broken finely to pre- 

 vent slugs from sheltering among the 

 clods. Get Lettuce lifted into pits or 

 frames for present and winter use, but 

 ,if they have been grown in the struc- 

 tures they will be easier managed. 

 The same applies to Endive. Have 

 protection ready to put over young 

 Carrots aad Radishes ; litter or fern 

 thrown over during severe weather 

 answers well in absence of frames, &c. 

 Put Chicory into a cellar to grow and 

 blanch for Salads ; any place suits 

 where light and air can be kept out. 

 Small Salads should be sown frequentl5^ 

 Young Onions can be started in heat, 

 and then brought to light and air. 

 Carrots and Beet may be stored in 

 cellars kept dark and free from currents 

 of air ; a quantity of straw thrown 

 over the roots will keep them fresh. 

 Pits formed as for Potatoes answer 

 well for them, but roots should never 

 be covered up when sodden wet. Par- 

 snips keep sounder and better flavoured 

 in the ground ; a few can be lifted to 

 have in store if frosty weather should 

 set in. Jerusalem Artichokes may be 

 treated in the same way, but their 

 roots will continue to grow for 

 some time to come. Potatoes should 

 all be lifted as early as possible : dis- 

 ease is doing much harm in some places, 

 and it will increase if the tubers remain 

 in the damp ground. Thiu, clean, and 

 surface-stir Spinach as may be neces- 

 sary. Tomatoes on oven walls should 

 be gathered soon and placed in a dry 

 structure to ripen. Keep luxuriant 

 leaves cut away to expose the fruit to 

 light. Protection during frosty nights 

 may keep the fruit and plants safe for 

 some time, and the fruit will increase 

 in size. Keep young plants to supply 

 Tomatoes iu spring growing freely, 



