APRIL.] THE KITCHFN-GARDEN. 533 



Apriljimmediately before planting, taking care every time, to plough 

 it as deep as possible. 



The time of planting is about the latter end of April, or immedi- 

 ately when the young buds begin to appear above ground, or as 

 soon as possible after. The young shoots are then taken from the 

 sides of the mother plants, with as much root as possible, and are 

 planted in rows thre feet asunder, and, plant from plant, in the rows 

 twelve inches distant ; observing to plant each slip down to its top or 

 crown. 



In the first year of planting madder, it is customary to plant kid- 

 ney-beans, lettuces, or other low dwarf-growing crops, between the 

 rows ; but it is absolutely necessary, to keep the ground clean from 

 weeds. In November the haulm t>eing decayed, cut it off, and then 

 draw three or four inches of earth over the crowns of the plants ; 

 this may be performed either with the plough or hoe, and let them 

 remain so all winter. 



The second year in the beginning of April, the earth on the top 

 of the rows should be scuffled over and raked, to destroy the young 

 weeds, and make the surface smooth and mellow ; as well, as to 

 permit the rising buds to shoot freely. 



The second summer, the same care must be taken of the mad- 

 der as the first, and nothing planted between the rows ; and in No- 

 vember, the crowns of the roots are to be covered as in the pre- 

 ceding year. Some lay down the haulm, and cover it with earth, 

 for the greater protection of the roots ; but this is a very pernicious 

 practice, for it, in a little time, becomes mouldy, and seldom fails 

 to communicate this, to the crowns, which materially injures them, 

 and, consequently, the whole roots. 



The madder roots should never be taken up, till they have had, 

 three summer's growth ; and the culture of the third, is the same 

 as of the second year, during the spring, summer, and autumn. 



In the September, or October of the third year, when the haulm 

 is perfectly decayed, the roots are carefully taktui up, and dried, 

 first for a few days in the air ; they are afterwards put on a kiln, 

 and dried effectually, with a slow heat ; after which, it is pounded 

 by stampers, kept in motion by a mill or wheel, which is turned, 

 by either water, wind, or horses, then sifted and packed up in 

 casks, as hard as possible. 



Madder may be cultivated from seeds by sowing them in rows, 

 as directed for the plants ; observing to sow three or four seeds, 

 where a plant might be expected, and cover them a little better 

 than half an inch deep : when grown an inch or two, pull out the 

 weakest, and leave the best to remain, at proper distances, for full 

 growth. 



Those who are desirous of further information, on this subject, 

 may consult MARTYN'S edition of Miller's Gardener's Dictionary. 

 I 



Fuller's Teasel. 



The JDifisacus fallonum, or Fuller's Teasel, is cultivated in great 

 quantities in the west of England, for raising the nap on woolen 



