OCT.] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 537 



give them an occasional airing, and the oftener this can be done, so 

 that they are covered up again in due time, the better. 



Similar precautions are to be used with plants in frames that are 

 frozen, but such as are not, will be improved by exposing them occa- 

 sionally to as much air and sun as prudence may warrant till planted 

 out finally in March, &c. 



By pursuing this method you will have much earlier and larger 

 cabbages than can be expected from plants sown in the early spring 

 months. 



CAULIFLOWERS. 



The cauliflower plants are to be treated in every respect as directed 

 for cabbage plants, with this difference, that as they are somewhat 

 more tender they will require the protection and advantage of glasses 

 and a good substantial covering to defend them from severe frosts, 

 though in mild winters they, with due care, will survive under the 

 protection of garden frames covered with boards and mats. 



As the cauliflower plants advance in growth, it will be proper to 

 strew between them some dry tan, sawdust, or chaff, so as to cover 

 the stems completely up to the leaves ; this will afford great protec- 

 tion to those parts which are always found to be the most vulnerable 

 to frost, &c. 



If you find, in consequence of an unfavorable season or of your 

 not sowing the cauliflower seed in due time, the plants to be rather 

 backward, you should prick them from the seed-bed on a slight 

 hot-bed to promote their growth ; but in this case you must be par- 

 ticularly attentive to give them plenty of air, that the plants may be 

 stout and hardy on the approach of severe weather. 



You should carefully protect the cauliflower plants from excessive 

 heavy rains, especially when the nights get pretty cold, for such are 

 very injurious to them and frequently cause their stems to turn black, 

 which always proves destructive. 



In the southern States, where the winters are mild, and where it 

 is difficult to have good cauliflowers, except they can be obtained at 

 an early season before the great summer heat sets in, which is very 

 inimical to those plants, the only sure way of obtaining them in the 

 best perfection is, to be provided with a sufficient number of bell or 

 hand-glasses, under which to plant them out finally about the latter 

 end of this month. 



The ground for this early crop should be very rich, tolerably light, 

 in a warm situation, and where water is not apt to stand in winter. 

 The ground is to be previously well manured with old hot-bed or other 

 well rotted dung, and then dug one good spade deep at least, break- 

 ing it effectually and incorporating the dung well therewith. 



Then lay it out into beds three feet wide, and allow alleys a foot 

 wide between them, for the convenience of going in to take off, put 

 on, or raise the glasses, &c., stretch your line along the middle of 

 the bed from one end to the other, and at every three feet and a half 

 mark the places for the glasses, and for each, put in three, four, or 

 more plants according to the size of the glasses, and within about six 



