512 THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. {OCT. 



The asparagus which is intended for forcing, will likewise re- 

 quire to have the stalks cut down, and the weeds drawn off into the 

 alleys, which must be dug to bury them, and as you proceed spread 

 a little of the earth over the beds, after which, they are to be treated 

 as noticed next month. 



I would not advise to attempt the forcing of asparagus sooner 

 than November, as before that period the roots will not be com- 

 pletely matured ; however, you may about the middle, or towards 

 the latter end of this month, begin to prepare hot-beds for the re- 

 ception of the roots, early in November. See the method in 

 page 115. 



Ctlery and Cardoons. 



In dry weather, continue to earth up celery and cardoons, to 

 blanch them, as directed in page 471. For the method of pre- 

 serving them in winter, see next month. 



Aromatic and Medicinal Herbs, &c. 



Cut down all the decayed flower stems and shoots of the various 

 kinds of aromatic, pot, and medicinal herbs, close to the heads of 

 the plants, or to the surface of the ground, according to the nature 

 or growth of the different sorts; at the same time, clear the beds 

 very well from weeds and litter, and cary the whole off the ground. 



Lavender, thyme, hyssop, winter savory, southern wood, sage, 

 rue, and the like undershrubby kinds, will require only their 

 tops or heads to be neatly dressed ; but pot marjoram, bauna, 

 burnet, tarragon, tansey, penny-royal, sorrel, chamomile, fennel, 

 marsh mallows, horehound, mint of every kind, angelica, lovage, 

 and every kind of herbaceous perennial herbs, should be cut down 

 pretty close to the ground. 



After this it will be proper, in beds where the plants stand 

 distant from one another, to lightly dig and loosen the ground 

 between them ; or, in old beds it would be a great advantage to 

 spread some very rotten dung equally over the surface, and with 

 a small spade or trowel, to dig it in lightly between the plants ; if 

 they are in beds with alleys between them, dig the alleys and spread 

 a little of the loose earth over the beds, leaving the edges full and 

 straight. 



But the beds of close growing running plants, such as mint, 

 penny-royal, and the like creeping herbs, will not well admit of 

 digging ; therefore after the stalks are cut down and the beds 

 cleared from weeds, dig the alleys and strew some of the loose 

 earth evenly over the beds; and if the ground be rather poor, a 

 light top dressing of very rotten dung will be of considerable 

 service. 



This dressing will give proper culture, and protection to the 

 roots of the plants, a neat appearance to the whole, and in spring 

 the shoots will rise with renewed vigour. 



Early in the month you may plant, where wanted, well rooted 

 young plants of thyme, hyssop, winter savory, lavender, or the 



