JAN.] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 13 



in case none were sown at that time for an early summer crop, or 

 that they have been killed by the severity of the winter ; but in order 

 to bring the plants up soon, and forward them in growth, it will be 

 necessary to sow them in a slight hot-bed. Plants, sown at this 

 season, if well managed, are to be more depended on for a general 

 crop, than those which were sown in autumn, as they are not so apt 

 to button, or run to seed, in April or May, as the others, and will 

 produce their flowers within ten days as early ; though such of the 

 autumn raised plants, as do not button, generally produce larger 

 flowers, and earlier. 



Make the bed as directed for cucumbers, in page 4, to about three 

 feet high, which, when settled, will fall to about two feet six inches, 

 and put a frame on ; then lay four or five inches of rich earth over 

 the bed, sow the seed on the surface, but not until the violent heat 

 of the bed is over ; cover it by sifting or otherwise, with light dry 

 earth, about a quarter of an inch deep, and then put on the glasses. 



When the plants appear, let them have air every day that the 

 weather will permit, by raising the upper ends of the lights an inch 

 or two ; and in -very wild weather, the lights may be taken off' en- 

 tirely, for a few hours in the warm part of the day : the plants must 

 not be kept too close, for that would draw them up so weak, as to 

 render them of little value ; therefore give them as much air as 

 possible, consistent with their preservation and promotion of 

 growth ; but let them be covered carefully at night, and in very se- 

 vere weather. 



Water them frequently, but sparingly, with water which has 

 stood over-night in the hot-bed ; keep them free from weeds, and 

 in one month, they will be fit for transplanting into another hot- 

 bed, ....'See February. 



Sowing Cabbage Seed. 



This is a proper time to sow a full crop of early cabbage seed, to 

 raise plants to succeed those sown in September ; the kinds most 

 suitable, are the early Smyrna, et:rly York, early dwarf Battersea, 

 and early sugar-loaf; they are to be treated in every respect, as di- 

 rected for the cauliflower plants, with this difference, that as they 

 are somewhat more hardy, a less degree of heat will be sufficient. 



Sow also some of the large late kinds of cabbage, such as the flat- 

 uutch, drum-head, &c. likewise some of the red pickling-cabbage ; 

 the plants from this sowing will be fit for use in July, August, &c. 

 and will produce better and larger heads than if sown in April or 

 May, and besides, they will immediately succeed the early summer 

 kinds above mentioned. 



Carrots. 



In some families young carrots are required as early as possible, 

 and they may be forwarded by sowing the seed in a moderate hot- 

 bed, about the end of this month. 



Make the hot-bed about two feet thick of dung, and procure some 

 li^ht, rich, dry earth, which lay six inches thick on the bed. Sow 



