FEB.] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 135 



each side, to open outward for giving air occasionally on the side 

 from the wind, or on both sides if the weather is mild, and also for 

 performing other necessary culture. 



The paper for this purpose should be of the larger, strong printing 

 or demi kind ; which, previously to pasting on the frame, should be 

 moderately damped with water, that it may not sink in hollows after 

 being fixed ; as soon as thus prepared, proceed to paste it on, sheet 

 by sheet, using for this purpose the very best kind of paste ; and 

 contrive to have whole ones along the ridge-rail above, extending 

 lengthways and across, to join regularly with the sheets below; 

 pasting the whole in the most regular and secure manner to the 

 frames, ribs, and pack-thread; and if, at the intersections of the 

 latter, a small square or round bit of the same paper is pasted on 

 the inside and to the large sheets over those parts, it will give ad- 

 ditional strength against rain and winds. 



After the paper is thus pasted on, and perfectly dry, then it must 

 be oiled over with linseed oil, either raw or boiled; the latter, I 

 think, is rather apt to harden the paper and cause it to crack, there- 

 fore would prefer the former. Having, however, the oil and a paint- 

 er's soft brush, lay it on lightly, and brush the outside of the paper 

 all over, equally in every part, which done, place the frame in some 

 dry, covered shed, there to remain till the whole is thoroughly dry, 

 then it may be used when wanted, and will answer extremely well 

 for various purposes. 



If the base-frames are well painted with the following composition 

 they will last a long time. To every six pounds of melted pitch, 

 add half a pint of linseed oil, and a pound of brick dust well pulver- 

 ized, mix them all together and use them warm. This is the best 

 pigment for all timber exposed to the weather, for no moisture can 

 penetrate through it. 



You may also form lights of the above kind for your common hot- 

 bed frames when glass cannot be conveniently had, which will answer 

 a very good purpose. 



These covers of oiled paper are used not only for early cauliflower 

 and cabbage plants, but also for early salading, cucumbers, &c., and 

 are excellent for covering cuttings of exotic and other plants, and for 

 various other purposes. 



CABBAGE PLANTS. 



Continue to protect your autumn-sown cabbage plants from the 

 severity of the weather, agreeably to the general precautionary direc- 

 tions given in the month of October, which see. But be very par- 

 ticular that such as are in frames, and consequently under occasional 

 protection, which renders them still more tender than those protected 

 under the shade of bows, &c., and that have got frozen either in con- 

 sequence of neglect in covering, or of the extreme severity of the 

 weather, are not to be exposed to the influence of the sun whilst 

 shining strongly, until they are gradually thawed, and also the earth 

 in which they stand ; but at intervals, when the rays are not too pow- 

 erful, you may admit them to the plants, in order to accomplish th| 



