November December 



the purpose, and it will be advisable to sow two or three sorts rather 

 than one only. 



Potatoes may be planted on dry, sandy soils, in very sheltered 

 quarters, but not on damp, heavy land. 



Sea Kale to be lifted for forcing. This delicious vegetable may, 

 indeed, be -forced for the table in this month ; but it is not advisable 

 to be in such haste, for a fine sample cannot be secured so early. 

 Sea Kale is the easiest thing in the world to force ; the only point of 

 importance is to have strong roots to begin with. Any place can be 

 utilised for the purpose where a temperature of 45 or 55 can be 

 maintained, such as Mushroom-houses, cellars, pits, or old sheds. 

 The plants may be put thickly into pots or boxes, or they may be 

 planted in a bed, and light must be excluded to insure thorough 

 blanching. By these simple means a regular supply may be obtained 

 until the permanent beds in the open ground come into use. 



DECEMBER 



THE best advice that can be given for this month is to be prepared 

 for either heavy rain or sharp frost, so that extreme variations of 

 temperature may inflict the least possible injury in the garden. Let 

 the work be ordered with reference to the weather, that there may 

 be no 'poaching' on wet ground, or absurd conflict with frost. 

 Accept every opportunity of wheeling out manure ; and as long as 

 the ground can be dug without waste of labour, proceed to open 

 trenches, make drains, and mend walks, because this is the period for 

 improving, and the place must be very perfect which affords no work 

 for winter weather. Dispose of all rubbish by the simple process of 

 putting it in trenches when preparing plots for early seeds. In sheds 

 and outhouses many tasks may be found, such as making large sub- 

 stantial tallies for the garden ; the little paltry things commonly used 

 being simply delusive, for they are generally missing when wanted, 

 from their liability to be trodden into the ground or kicked any- 

 where by a heedless foot. Make ready pea-sticks, stakes of sizes, and 

 at odd times gather up all the dry stuff that is adapted for a grand 

 ' smother.' A careful forecasting of the next year's cropping will 

 show that even now many preparations may be made to increase the 

 chances of success. 



Warm Border to be prepared for early work by digging and 

 manuring. All the efuse turf and leaf-mould from the potting-shed 



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