December.] MONTHLY CALENDAR. 393 



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

 moderate weather through 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 retro- 

 spective view of his previous management, and also of the 

 directions given in the preceding chapters 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 benefitted by Fall 

 ridging, light sandy ground should lay flat through the 

 Winter. 



FLOWER DEPARTMENT. 



If all was not done as directed last month, there is now 

 no time to be lost. All kinds of tender plants in pots, 

 should be set into frames or pits, and plunged in old tan or 

 light mould ; and in the event of severe frosts, coverings of 

 mats, straw, &c. must be laid over them. 



Greenhouse plants will need constant care and attention. 

 When water is necessary, let it be given in mild weather, 

 217. In case of accidents happening from frost, I would 

 remark, that the sudden transition from cold to heat, is often 

 more destructive to plants than frost itself. If, therefore, 

 plants get frozen, and cannot be screened from the rays of 

 the Sun, they should be watered as the air gets warm, and 

 before they begin to thaw. If sufficient attention be paid, 

 so as to have the temperature of the house gradually rising, 

 as the water is sprinkled over the leaves, it may be a means 

 of preserving plants that would otherwise be destroyed. 



See that the greenhouse, or room in which plants are kept, 

 is so secure as to prevent the intrusion of cold air, or the 

 departure of warm air in the night season. 



