DEC.] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 601 



every day when the weather is mild, by raising the lights a little 

 behind, otherwise they will be apt to become mouldy and decay. It 

 is almost unnecessary to say that the glasses must be kept well 

 covered every night, and even in the day-time during extremely 

 severe weather. '';*> 



MUSHROOMS. 



Particular care must now be taken to preserve fche mushroom beds 

 out of doors from frost or wet, either of which would destroy the 

 spawn, and render the beds unproductive. They must consequently 

 be covered with a sufficient depth of dry straw, and over this mats : 

 after heavy rains or snow they should be examined, and if you find 

 the covering next the earth of the beds wet, take it totally away and 

 immediately replace it with dsy straw. Where the necessary and 

 proper care is taken, there will be a constant supply of mushrooms 

 for the table even in the most rigorous seasons. Observe the gene- 

 ral directions given on page 539, &c. This necessity for covering 

 and continual renewal shows the advantage of having the beds 

 inside. Where there is not a suitable house erected for the purpose, 

 the winter beds may be made in the sheds where the heating appa- 

 ratus is. * 



FORCING ASPARAGUS. 



Hot-beds may now be made for forcing asparagus, to supply the 

 table about the latter end of January; for at this season it will be 

 full six weeks from the time of making the beds before the aspa- 

 ragus will be fit to cut, presuming the beds to be kept of a due 

 temperature of heat. (For the method of making and managing 

 them, see page 128, &c.) 



ORDINARY WORK. 



If the weather continues open, carry dung into the quarters of the 

 kitchen garden, spread it, and trench the ground, laying it in high 

 sloping ridges to be mellowed by the frost, &c. 



When the ground is frozen that it cannot be dug, cart or carry in 

 manure, and lay it down in convenient places, to have it at hand when 

 the frost goes off ; repair the fences of the garden where necessary ; 

 if you have any seeds remaining in their pods or capsules, beat or 

 rub out and clean them, so as to be ready for sowing when wanted ; 

 prepare all tools which may be necessary in spring, that there may 

 be no delay when the season is favorable for commencing your early 

 cropping. 



Provide from the woods, &c., pea sticks and bean poles of every 

 size ; dress and point them, that they may be in complete readiness 

 when wanted ; collect all your old sticks and poles which are yet fit 

 for use, and lay them with the new ones under the protection of some 

 shed, to prevent their rotting by wet, &c. 



