JAN.] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. H 



next month ; and in the latter end of March, or beginning of April, 

 they will be strong, and fit for transplanting into warm borders ; a 

 sufficiency may be retained in the frame, to arrive at early per- 

 fection. 



Forcing early Asparagus. 



Hot-beds for forcing asparagus may be made with success any 

 time this month, which will furnish young asparagus for the table 

 in February and March. 



Observing, for this occasion, you must be furnished with plants 

 that have been raised in the natural ground till of three or four years 

 growth, of proper size and strength to produce eligible crops of 

 good-sized asparagus shoots, when planted in a hot-bed ; and must 

 be provided with plenty of good hot dung, wherewith to make sub- 

 stantial hot-beds, from three to four feet high, and with proper 

 large frames and glasses to place on the beds, and garden mats, for 

 covering of nights, Sec. 



But for general particulars of the plants, and the necessary quan- 

 tity, as well as of the hot-bed, and other requisites. ...See the article 

 Forcing Asparagus in February, which is equally applicable on the 

 present occasion. 



Mint, Tansey, &c. 



Make a small hot-bed for some mint, when it is required at an 

 early season, in young green shoots, for salladsand mint-sauce, Sec. 

 A bed for a small or middling garden frame, of one or two lights, 

 may be sufficient for supply of a moderate family ; and in general 

 about two feet thick of dung; set on the frame, and lay-about four 

 or five inches depth of earth on the bed, ready for planting. 



Then having some roots of common spear-mint, place them upon 

 the surface, pretty thick, and cover them with earth about an inch 

 and a half deep ; or may place the roots in drills, and draw the 

 earth over them. 



The mint will appear in about a week or fortnight, and will be in 

 fine order for mint-sauce, &c. and either to use alone as a sallad, or 

 to mix among other small herbs. 



By the same means you may obtain green tansey and tarragon. 



Small Sallading. 



Make a slight hot-bed, in which to sow the different sorts of small 

 sallading, such as cresses, mustard, radish, and rape, and likewise 

 lettuce, to cut while young. 



The hot-bed for these seeds need not be more than about two 

 feet thick of dung, and must be covered with a frame and glasses. 

 The earth must be light and dry, and laid about four to five or six 

 inches thick on the bed : then let small shallow flat drills be 

 drawn from the back to the front of the bed ; sow the seed therein, 

 each sort separately, and very thick, covering them not more than 

 a quarter of an inch deep with earth ; or, if but just covered, is suffi- 

 cient, and the plants will rise more expeditious and regular ; or the 



