JAN.] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 27 



attain to but little perfection ; but let the glasses be close shut every 

 night. In severe frosty weather keep them close night and day, 

 and cover the glasses with mats, or straw, &c., both of nights and 

 occasionally in the day-time, if the frost is rigorous; also let the 

 same care be observed to those under hoop-arches; but let them have 

 the full air in mild open weather. 



Or where any lettuces are planted in a south border, close to a 

 wall or board fence, &c., it would be advisable, in hard frost, to cover 

 them as above. 



In the above lettuces, in general, pick off all decayed leaves when 

 any appear, keep them always cleared from weeds, and destroy slugs, 

 which often greatly annoy them ; and in mild weather stir the sur- 

 face of the earth between, which will much enliven the plants. 



SOWING LETTUCES. 



When lettuces have not been sown in autumn for early spring use, 

 you may now sow any of the cos* or cabbage kinds, on a slight hot- 

 bed under glasses, to be planted out in spring ; the young plants 

 may be greatly forwarded, if pricked into another fresh hot-bed 

 next month; and in the latter end of March, or beginning of April, 

 they will be strong, and fit for transplanting into warm borders ; a 

 sufficiency may be retained in the frame to arrive at early perfection. 



FORCING EARLY ASPARAGUS. 



Hot-beds for forcing asparagus may be made with success any time 

 this month, which will furnish young asparagus for the table in Feb- 

 ruary and March. It may also be forced under the stage of a warm 

 green-house. 



Observing, for this occasion, you must be furnished with plants 

 that have been raised in the natural ground till of three or four years' 

 growth, of proper size and strength to produce eligible crops of good 

 sized asparagus shoots, when planted in a hot-bed ; and must be pro- 

 vided with plenty of good hot dung, wherewith to make substantial 

 hot-beds, from three to four feet high, and with proper large frames 

 and glasses to place on the beds, and garden mats for covering of 

 nights, &c. 



But for general particulars of the plants, and the necessary quan- 

 tity, as well as of the hot-bed and other requisites see the article 

 Forcing Asparagus in February, which is equally applicable on the 

 present occasion. 



MINT, TANSEY, &C. 



Make a small hot-bed for some mint, or plant the roots close to- 

 gether in boxes and place in the hot-house, when it is required at an 



* The cos lettuces, however, are of little use in the North ; they are 

 too tender to bear our severe winters, and soon run to seed in the sum- 

 mer ; consequently the cabbage kinds are best for all purposes. 



