KITCHEN-GARDENING. 25 



tioiis may, however, be applied to all other parts of the United 

 States, by a minute observance of the difference in temperature. 

 In the extreme northern parts of the State of New York, as 

 well as in all other places similarly situated, the directions for 

 the beginning of April will apply to the latter part of the same 

 month, with very few exceptions. In our Southern States, 

 the directions for APRIL, w^hich may be considered as the 

 first gardening month in the Eastern, Western, and Middle 

 States, will apply to Januar}^, February, or to whatever season 

 gardening operations may commence in the respective States. 

 In the varied' cUmates of each particular State, if the same rule 

 of application be pursued, success is certain. 



forcing various kinds of vegetables. 



The following simple method of forcing vegetables on a 

 small scale is recommended by a correspondent of a London 

 magazine. The writer says : 



" I obtain mushrooms in winter by a very simple process. 

 Provide boxes three feet long, and one foot eight inches deep ; 

 a quantity of horse-droppings, perfectly dry, some spawn, and 

 some light dry soil. Fill the boxes by layers of droppings, 

 spawn, and soil, which must be well trodden dowm. Repeat 

 these triple layers till the boxes are full, and all trodden firmly 

 together. Four such boxes at work are sufficient for a mode- 

 rate demand ; and out of a dozen, four brought in at a time, 

 and placed upon a flue of a greenhouse stove, will produce a 

 fine supply. The surface of these portable beds may be covered 

 with a little hay, and occasionally, though sparingly, watered. 

 It is not absolutely necessary that they be set on the flue of a 

 greenhouse ; a warm stable, cellar, or any other similar place, 

 will suit equally well. This plan is also convenient for aff'ord- 

 ing a plentiful stock of superior spawn. 



"The same-sized boxes will also do for Asparagus; but for 

 this purpose a sufficient stock of three-year-old plants must be 

 at hand ; also eighteen boxes, four of which are the necessary 

 set to be forced at one time for one family. Half fill the boxes 



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