OCT.] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 543 



were raked off into the alleys be dug into the bottom of the trenches 

 and covered a proper depth with earth ; observe to make the edges 

 of the beds straight, full, and neat, and to finish your work in a be- 

 coming manner, giving a moderate rounding to the beds, especially 

 if the ground be inclined to wet. 



In the southern States there may be planted in each alley a row of 

 early cabbage plants ; but in the middle and eastern States it would 

 be well to fill them up with straw or old litter, well trampled down, 

 which would in some measure prevent the frost from entering that 

 way to the asparagus roots. 



The seedling asparagus which was sown last spring should also now 

 have a slight dressing, that is, to clear the bed from weeds, and then 

 to spread an inch or two in depth of dry, rotten dung over it to de- 

 fend the crowns of the plants from frost. 



The asparagus which is intended for forcing, will likewise require 

 to have the stalks cut down and the weeds drawn off into the alleys, 

 which must be dug to bury them, and as you proceed spread a little 

 of the earth over the beds, after which they are to be treated as 

 noticed next month. 



I would not advise to attempt the forcing of asparagus sooner than 

 November, as before that period the roots will not be completely 

 matured ; however, you may, about the middle or towards the latter 

 end of this month, begin to prepare hot-beds for the reception of the 

 roots early in November. (See the method on page 128.) 



CELERY AND CARDOONS. 



In dry weather continue to earth up celery and cardoons, to blanch 

 them, as directed on page 500. (For the method of preserving them 

 in winter, see next month.) 



AROMATIC AND MEDICINAL HERBS, ETC. 



Cut down all the decayed flower stems and shoots of the various 

 kinds of aromatic, pot, and medicinal herbs close to the heads of the 

 plants, or to the surface of the ground, according to the nature or 

 growth of the different sorts ; at the same time clear the beds very 

 well from weeds and litter, and carry the whole off the ground. 



Lavender, thyme, hyssop, winter savory, southernwood, sage, rue, 

 and the like undershrubby kinds will require only their tops or 

 heads to be neatly dressed; but pot marjoram, baum, burnet, tarra- 

 gon, tansy, pennyroyal, sorrel, chamomile, fennel, marsh mallows, 

 horehound, mint of every kind, angelica, lovage, and every kind of 

 herbaceous perennial herbs should be cut down pretty close to the 

 ground. 



After this it will be proper in beds where the plants stand distant 

 from one another, to lightly dig and loosen the ground between them ; 

 or, in old beds it would be a great advantage to spread some very 

 rotten dung equally over the surface, and with a small spade or 

 trowel to dig it in lightly between the plants ; if they are in beds 



