FEB.] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. * 131 



stand longer than one year before transplanted ; the other two pieces 

 to be occupied with transplanted plants ; one to be a year's growth 

 from the time of planting before the other, by which method of sow- 

 ing a quantity of plants every spring, you will, after the first three 

 years, obtain a fresh supply of proper plants every year of eligible 

 age and growth, as above, for forcing. 



In those States where there is not severe frost to be encountered at 

 this season, asparagus may be forced as directed above, without the 

 assistance of a frame and lights; but in lieu thereof you must arch 

 the bed over with hoops, and protect it from heavy rains and cold 

 with bass mats or other convenient covering, laid over these hoops ; 

 and the earth on the beds must be confined, either with a shallow 

 frame or with straw bands or ropes, three or four inches in diameter, 

 fixed down neatly along the edge of the bed, with sharp pointed 

 wooden pegs. 



MUSHROOMS. 



Take care that the mushroom beds are still well defended from 

 heavy rains and frost, both of which would destroy the spawn. 



The covering of straw should not be less than fourteen or sixteen 

 inches thick on every part of the bed ; and at this season it would be 

 proper to continue some large garden mats spread over the straw cover- 

 ing, to secure the bed more effectually from wet and cold ; and ob- 

 serving, that if the wet at any time has penetrated quite through any 

 part of the covering, the wet straw should be removed, and replaced 

 with some that is clean and dry. 



If these beds are made under open sheds constructed for that pur- 

 pose, it will be a great advantage, particularly in protecting them 

 from too much wet, which is very injurious to them, especially during 

 the winter season. 



New mushroom beds may now be made where wanted ; for the par- 

 ticular method, see October. 



KIDNEY BEANS. 



Where early kidney beans are wanted, you may, in the beginning, 

 or any time this month, make a hot-bed for raising them ; let this be 

 made, as directed for cucumbers, to 'the height of three feet, and long 

 enough for one or more frames, which, with their glasses, put on im- 

 mediately ; when the heat is come up, level the bed and cover the 

 dung seven or eight inches deep with rich light earth, then draw 

 drills from the back to the front a foot asunder, and an inch deep ; 

 drop the beans therein two or three inches apart, and smooth over the 

 surface of the bed. 



Or you may sow the beans thick in a small hot-bed, or in pots 

 therein to raise the plants about an inch in growth, then transplant 

 them into a large hot-bed as above, to yield their produce. 



The best sorts for this purpose are the early cream-colored dwarfs, 

 early speckled, white and yellow dwarfs ; because these kinds are of 

 an early nature, and do not run so strong or rampant as the other 

 sorts. 



