JANUARY 13 



red, like Rhubarb, at the bottom and green at the top. I 

 know nothing more charming to grow in dull town rooms 

 or sick rooms than these two seeds. They come to per- 

 fection in about three weeks, and last for another five or 

 six. Grown in small saucers, they make a pretty dinner- 

 table winter decoration. Another rather effective change 

 for a dinner-table is the leaves of Bamboos, put all day into 

 water to prevent them curling up. They are then laid on 

 the table-cloth in a Japanese pattern, according to the taste 

 of the decorator, with an occasional flower to give point 

 to the design. Double red Geraniums, late-flowering 

 Chrysanthemums, Primulas, even clumps of Holly or 

 red berries, all do equally well for this purpose. 



Growing acorns, either suspended by a thin wire in a 

 bottle, or planted in wet moss five or six of them together 

 in flat pans, are pretty. If put into heat in October, they 

 are in full leaf in the middle of January ; but if grown 

 in a cool room, the leaves only expand later. 



I think it may be desirable for me to say something 

 each month about cooking. Many people neglect to use 

 things which are now so easily got with or without a 

 garden. This foreign way of cooking Potatoes makes 

 a nice variety: After partially boiling them, cut the 

 Potatoes into slices when cold, and put them into a 

 saucepan. Cover them with milk to finish cooking them, 

 and add fresh butter, Parsley, pepper, and salt. 



Salsifys are quite easily grown, and are very good if 

 thrown into vinegar and water, well oiled, cut into small 

 slices, and warmed up with a white sauce in shells, like 

 scalloped oysters. Add a little cheese and breadcrumbs, 

 and brown in the oven. 



No one who cares for vegetables and has a garden 

 should fail to refer constantly to ' The Vegetable Garden,' 

 already mentioned. It is an invaluable book, and the 

 number and variety of the vegetables it describes is a 



