editor's table. 



(laUn^ar of (Dpcratioiis. 



DECEMBER. 

 BY WILLIAM SAUNDERS. 



Caulifloweks. — This desirable vegetable does not attain to great perfection wliilc the 

 weather is dry and hot; cool, moist climates being most favorable to its growth. Very good 

 crops may be obtained by sowing seed in May, and planting out the young plants in July or 

 August. If the autumn is favorable, good heads will be formed before frost, and even those 

 that show no indication of heading, may be lifted and protected in a cool cellar, where they 

 will mature. To grow them well, the soil must be deep and rich. Crops for early spring 

 use are raised in frames ; these are planted during the present month. The bed is prepared 

 by filling in a depth of two feet of good soil, and, if the bottom is covered with rougli stones 

 for drainage, they will be easier kept during winter. The plants are placed about eighteen 

 inches apart, and the vacant spaces may be set with lettuce. The future management con- 

 sists in preserving from severe frosts by sufficient covering; straw mats are most convenient 

 — a covering of loose straw or hay most efficient. Air must be freely admitted in the 

 absence of frost, and the soil should be kept rather dry during winter. It is not desirable 

 to encourage growth before the end of February ; afterwards, the quicker they are grown 

 the better. Frequent stirring of the surface soil, and occasional applications of manure 

 water, will promote growth ; abundance of air is required at all favorable times, in order to 

 keep the plants strong and dwarf. Clayey or strong, loamy soils, will be benefited by being 

 thrown up in ridges, to be acted upon by the weather; the more exposed the surface, the 

 more friable will the soil be left for spring operations. 



Gkapery. — Structures for the cultivation of the foreign grape are not so numerous as they 

 ought to be. The cost of erection and preparation of borders is deemed so great as to deter 

 many from entering into their culture. The expense of preparation need not be so very 

 great. Good fruit may be grown in very simple houses. A roof of glass is not so costly, 

 and by dispensing with heavy rafters and sliding sashes, and having the roof a fixture, very 

 efficient houses can certainly be put up for three dollars per foot in length. The borders 

 may be made up with good garden soil, well enriched, and thorough drainage is indispen- 

 sable. Deep, damp borders, excessively manured, never prove satisfactory, and no amount 

 of architectural display will compensate for want of practical skill in cultivation. 



Greexhouse. — Artificial heat will now be required, and as the systems of heating are 

 various, many are doubtful as to the most economical. The old-fashioned hot-air flue and 

 furnace is so seldom mentioned, that it is very generally considered to be superseded by 

 other methods. For small houses, it is, however, the most economical. The cost and ex- 

 pense of fitting up a hot-water apparatus is so great as to deter its introduction into small 

 establishments. It is well known among ciiltivators, that as good plants and flowers have 

 been, and still are, produced in houses warmed by flues, as in those that are heated after 

 the most approved methods by hot water. Success in plant culture does not depend upon 

 the method of producing artificial heat, although much depends upon its proper application. 

 One of the largest and most unique conservatories in this country, was heated for several 

 seasons by a branch from the furnace used in heating the dwelling to which it was attached, 

 and small structures of this description have frequently no other means of being heated 

 than by simply opening the communicating doors into the parlor. Thus we see that various 

 simple expedients have been perfectly successful, and although water in pipes is undoubtedly 

 economical on a large scale, or where several contiguous houses are warmed by one furnace ; 

 still, for small greenhouses, a flue is generally preferable. Flues should always be con- 

 structed with evaporating pans on the covers. These being filled with water when the fire 

 is strong, counteract, to some extent, the aridity which at all times results from artificial 

 heat. 



Great care should now be exercised in watering. Plants of a tender nature, and those in 

 a state of rest, should be kept as dry as consistent with health to render them proof against 

 change of temperature. 



