OCT.] THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. 



place a frame and glasses over the bed, and in hard frost, fill 

 the inside immediately over the plants with dry straw, thus they 

 will be protected from wet and frost and will whiten effectually 

 under the covering of straw, which should be turned occasionally 

 to prevent that part next the plants and earth from becoming 

 mouldy. 



For further particulars respecting the preservation of endive, see 

 next month. 



-Raising young Mint and Tarragon for use in Winter. 



Where young mint and tarragon is in request at all seasons, 

 you may, towards the end of this month, make a slight hot-bed 

 and set the plants therein, as directed in page 1 1 ; this done, put 

 on the glasses, and observe to raise them behind every day to admit 

 air, and prevent the young rising shoots from being scorched by 

 the effects of a too powerful sun beaming on the lights whilst 

 close shut. The young productions will be fit for use in about three 

 weeks, or a month, and afford a supply for a considerable time. 



Winter-dressing of Asparagus Beds. 



Towards the end of this month, if the stalks of your asparagus 

 turn yellow, which is a sign of their having finished their growth 

 for the season, cut them down close to the earth and carry them 

 off* the ground ; clear the beds carefully from weeds, eradicating 

 them effectually and drawing them into the alleys. 



Asparagus beds in general, will be greatly benefited by an annual 

 dressing of good manure, and nothing is better or more suitable for 

 them, than the dung of old hot-beds ; but if that is not to be had, 

 well rotted stable manure will answer ; let it be laid equally over 

 the beds, one, two, or three inches deep, according to necessity, 

 after which, stretch a line and with a spade mark out the alleys 

 from about eighteen inches to two feet wide, agreeably to their 

 original dimensions. 



Then dig the alleys one spade deep, and spread a considerable 

 part of the earth evenly over the beds ; and as you advance, let the 

 weeds which were raked off into the alleys, be dug into the bottom 

 of the trenches and covered a proper depth with earth ; observe to 

 make the edges of the beds straight, full, and neat, and to finish 

 your work in a becoming manner, giving a moderate rounding to 

 the beds, especially if the ground be inclined to wet. 



In the southern states, there may be planted in each alley, a row 

 of early cabbage plants ; but in the middle and eastern states, it 

 would be well to fill them up with straw or old litter, well tram- 

 pled down, which would in some measure, prevent the frost from 

 entering that way to the asparagus roots. 



The seedling asparagus which was sown last spring, should 

 also now have a slight dressing ; that is to clear the bed from 

 weeds, and then to spread an inch or two in depth of dry rotten 

 dung over it, to defend the crowns of the plants from frost. 



