544 THE KITCHEN GARDEN. [OCT. 



with alleys between them, dig the alleys and spread a little of the 

 loose earth over the beds, leaving the edges full and straight. 



But the beds of close growing running plants, such as mint 3 penny- 

 royal, and the like creeping herbs will not well admit of digging ; 

 therefore, after the stalks are cut down and the beds cleared from 

 weeds, dig the alleys and strew some of the loose earth evenly over 

 the beds ; and if the ground be rather poor, a light top dressing of 

 very rotten dung will be of considerable service. 



This dressing will give proper culture and protection to the roots 

 of the plants, a neat appearance to the whole, and in spring the 

 shoots will rise with renewed vigor. 



Early in the month you may plant, where wanted, well rooted 

 young plants of thyme, hyssop, winter savory, lavender, or the like, 

 into four feet wide beds, or in any warm borders, in rows a foot 

 asunder. You may also divide and plant roots of mint, chamomile, 

 horehound, and likewise any of the preceding or other herbaceous 

 perennial herbs that you are desirous of propagating. (For further 

 particulars, see former pages.) 



SMALL SALADING. 



Where a constant succession of small salad herbs is required, con- 

 tinue to sow the seeds accordingly every ten or fourteen days, par- 

 ticularly cresses, radish, rape, mustard and lettuce, to cut while young. 

 But in the middle and eastern States, these should be sown at this 

 season, particularly towards the latter end of the month, in very warm 

 borders under the protection of frames and glasses, for the greater 

 certainty of having a constant supply. The glasses should be kept 

 totally off every warm day, and only put on at night or when the 

 weather is very cold or excessively wet. 



In the middle States, when the season is favorable, small salading 

 will grow free enough anytime this month in warm borders, but it 

 will be proper to have frames and glasses to place over them if neces- 

 sity should require it. 



DILL, ALEXANDERS, SKIRRETS, RHUBARB, AND SEA-KALE. 



The seeds of dill, alexanders, skirrets, rhubarb, and sea-kale should 

 now be sown, for if kept out of the ground till spring, many of them 

 would not vegetate for a year after ; but when sown in this or the 

 next month, if the seeds are fresh and perfect, good crops may be 

 expected to rise therefrom in March or April. (For the methods of 

 sowing and treating them, see the Kitchen Garden for March.) 



SHALLOTS, CHIVES, GARLIC, AND ROCAMBOLE. 



This is a very proper season to plant roots of shallots, chives, gar- 

 lic, and rocambole ; for the method of planting them, see page 206. 



