566 THE KITGHEN-CARDEN. [DEC. 



otherwise they will draw up and become weak : constantly pick 

 off all decayed leaves, which if suffered to remain on would be very 

 injurious to the plants, especially if it should happen, as it frequently 

 does in this month, that the weather would be so severe as to ren- 

 der it imprudent to uncover the beds for several days successively j 

 for when these decayed leaves rot, they emit a rancid vapour, which 

 mixing with the confined air of the beds, renders it very unwhole- 

 some for the plants. 



When it is not sufe to take off the lights entirely, in the middle 

 of the day, let them be raised upon props two or three inches at the 

 back of the frames, to let in fresh air to the plants. 



The glasses must be covered every night with mats, straw, fern, 

 or some other long, dry litter, and even in the day time when the 

 frost is very rigorous ; but no opportunity ought to be missed to 

 admit light to the plants, and to give them air when it can be done 

 with safety. The frame containing them must be carefully lined all 

 round the outside, as directed in November, lo prevent the frost 

 from penetrating in at the sides and ends thereof. 



Some will consider this rather troublesome, but it will be found 

 much less so, than to sow the seed in January or February, and 

 nurse, and once or twice transplant the young seedlings during the 

 remainder of the winter and spring ; besides, the autumn sown 

 plants when taken proper care of, will produce much larger and 

 better heads than those sown in winter or spring, and be earlier and 

 more certain. 



The early Smyrna, York, sugar-loaf, and other tender kinds of 

 cabbage-plants, require exactly the same treatment as the cauli- 

 flower, but being more hardy less covering will be necessary, and 

 more air may with safety be admitted. There is nothing more in- 

 jurious to either, than to be kept too closely covered ; therefore 

 no opportunity, if but for half an hour at a time, ought to be 

 omitted to admit light and air, when it can be done with any tole- 

 rable degree of safety. 



The Savoy, flat Dutch, drum-head, and other late kinds, will keep 

 when planted in warm borders, with very little protection ; arches 

 made of old hoops, &c. should be erected over them, on which to 

 lay mats, straw, branches of evergreen trees, or shrubs, &c. For 

 further particulars, see page 505. 



Care of Lettuce Plants. 



The care of lettuce plants being the same now as in the ensuing 

 month, I refer you for the necessary instructions to page 10, and 

 also to page 504 



Small Salladin 



Where small sallading, such as cresses, rape, mustard, lettuce, 

 radish, Sec. is required at this season, these seeds must be sown in 

 a hot-bed, protected with a good frame and glasses, and also sum- 



