600 THE KITCHEN GARDEN. [DEC. 



to the plants, especially if it should happen, as it frequently does in 

 this month, that the weather should be so severe as to render it im- 

 prudent to uncover the beds for several days successively; for when 

 these decayed leaves rot, they emit a rancid vapor, which, mixing 

 with the confined air of the beds, renders it very unwholesome for 

 the plants. 



When it is not safe to take off the lights entirely, in the middle 

 of the day, let them be raised upon props two or three inches at the 

 back of the frames, to let in fresh air to the plants. 



The glasses must be covered every night with mats, straw, fern, 

 or some other long dry litter, and even in the day-time when the 

 frost is very rigorous ; but no opportunity ought to be missed to ad- 

 mit light to the plants, and to give them air when it can be done 

 with safety. The frame containing them must be carefully lined all 

 around the outside, as directed in November, to prevent the frost 

 from penetrating in at the sides and ends thereof. 



Some will consider this rather troublesome, but it will be found 

 much less so than to sow the seed in January or February, and 

 nurse, and once or twice transplant the young seedlings during the 

 remainder of the winter and spring ; besides, the autumn sown plants 

 when taken proper care of, will produce much larger and better 

 heads than those sown in winter or spring, and be earlier and more 

 certain. 



The early York, sugar-loaf, and other tender kinds of cabbage 

 plants, require exactly the same treatment as the cauliflower, but 

 being more hardy less covering will be necessary, and more air may 

 with safety be admitted. There is nothing more injurious to either, 

 than to be kept too closely covered ; therefore no opportunity, if but 

 for half an hour at a time, ought to be omitted to admit light and air, 

 when it can be done with any tolerable degree of safety. 



The Savoy, flat Dutch, drum-head, and other late kinds, will keep 

 when planted in warm borders with very little protection ; arches 

 made of old hoops, &c., should be erected over them on which to 

 lay mats, straw, branches of evergreen trees, or shrubs, &c. (For 

 further particulars, see page 536.) 



CARE OF LETTUCE PLANTS. 



The care of lettuce plants being the same now as in the ensuing 

 month, I refer you for the necessary instructions to page 26, and also 

 to page 534, &c. 



SMALL SALADING. 



Where small salading, such as cresses, rape, mustard, lettuce, 

 radish, &c., is required at this season, these seeds must be sown in a 

 hot-bed, protected with a good frame and glasses, and also sufficient 

 covering of mats, &c., or in the green-house; but care must be taken 

 not to cover the seeds deeper with earth than what is barely suffi- 

 cient to hide them. 



Keep the glasses constantly over them, and admit air to the plants 



