JAN.] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 31 



taking the glasses, &c., entirely off, whenever it can be done with 

 safety, even for half an hour at a time, or tilting them up high at 

 one end, as the weather will permit, otherwise they will draw, or run 

 up long shanked, and be spoiled ; and after the plants have been up 

 a few days, thin them regularly with your hand, where they stand 

 too thick, and leave the strongest plants standing not less than an 

 inch asunder. Support a gentle heat in the bed, when it declines, 

 by applying a moderate lining of hot dung. 



MUSHROOMS. 



Mushroom-beds should be carefully attended to at this season. 

 They should have sufficient covering to defend them effectually from 

 the frost, rain, or snow; which should not be less than two feet 

 thick } and if heavy rain or snow should have penetrated quite 

 through the covering, this must be removed immediately, or your 

 spawn will be in danger of perishing. Replace it with good covering 

 of clean and dry wheat or other straw ; and in order to defend the bed 

 more effectually from wet and cold, it is advisable to spread some 

 large garden mats, or canvas cloths, over the straw, which will greatly 

 preserve the beds.* 



ARTICHOKES. 



Artichokes, if not landed up before, should not be neglected any 

 longer, except the severity of the frost prevents it : in which case, as 

 these plants are liable to suffer greatly by rigorous frosts, it is ad- 

 visable to give some temporary protection, first clearing away the 

 decayed and large old leaves, then apply a good thiok covering of 

 long, dry, strawy dung, or mulchy litter, close about each plant : but, 

 if open dry weather, it would be most expedient to land them up ; 

 observing, preparatory to this, to cut away all the large and decayed 

 old leaves close to the ground ; then dig between, and earth up the 

 plants, as in November and December. 



But the work of landing up artichokes should always be performed 

 in November or December ; for which see the work of these months. 

 It should never be omitted j for it is the most general effective 

 method of preserving the plants in severe winters. 



And after they are landed, if the frost should j>rove very severe, 

 it will also be proper to lay light, dry, long litter over the rows : if 

 the plants are of the true globe sort, too great care cannot be taken 

 to preserve them ; for sometimes a severe winter makes a great havoc 

 among them ; and, in spring, young sets to recruit the plantations 

 may be very difficult to procure. 



SOUTHERN STATES. 



In Georgia, South Carolina, and such parts of the other southern 

 States as are not subject to winter frosts, you may sow carrots, parsneps, 



* The most economical and sure way to grow mushrooms is in a cellar 

 or shed, where a temperature of 50 to 55 is maintained. 



