164 MONTHLY CALENDAR. 



for forcing tliern in the ordinary way, may dig a few grass 

 sods or turfs, before it freezes hard, and stow them away out 

 of the reach of frost, through the winter. These being 

 placed on the top of a hot-bed, in March, or early in April, 

 with the grass downward, and Cucumber or Melon seed 

 planted in the earthy part thereof, early plants may be pro- 

 duced, which can be removed with the turfs without dis- 

 turbing their growth, and cultivated either on the ridge sys- 

 tem, as rec6mmended in page 132, or in the open ground, 

 provided they can be kept growing in frames until settled 

 warm weather. This is also an excellent plan in early 

 forcing, as it saves trouble as well as risk in transplanting 

 seedling plants into the fruiting beds. 



If not done last month, dress your Artichoke beds, and 

 cover them as recommended in page 32. Defend Mushroom 

 beds with dry straw, or long stable litter, and cover such as 

 may be exposed, with mats, as security against cold. In all 

 moderate weather during the winter, give air to Cabbage, 

 Cauliflower, Lettuce, and such other plants as may be in 

 frames, being careful to cover them every night with mats, 

 boards, litter, &c., as necessity may require. 



As the year is drawing to a close, I would solicit the gar- 

 dener to review the results of his practice throughout the 

 past season, that he may be able to judge how to act for the 

 future. 



In sketching a plan of his garden for the next year, he 

 ought to make provision for a full supply of such vegetables as 

 are best calculated to sell, and yield a fair profit; with this 

 object in view, I would suggest that he take a retrospective 

 view of his previous management, and also of the directions 

 given in the preceding chapter relative to the preparation of 

 the soil, by ploughing, trenching, pulverizing, manuring, &c., 

 as circumstances may require ; bearing in mind, that although 

 clayey soils may be benefited by fall ridging, light sandy 

 ground should lay flat through the winter. 



