594 THE KITCHEN GARDEN. [Oct. 



hcails become very heavy, and often break down even by their own 

 Weight, where they are not well secured, in which case there will 

 be a considerable loss both in the quantity and quality of the seed. 



"When the seed is ripe, which is very perceivable by the capsules 

 opening, and the seed turning black, the heads are to be cut off and 

 spread thinly upon coarse cloths, in the sun, till quite dry, observing 

 to keep them under shelter at night and in wet weather; then beat 

 or rub out the seed, fan it clean, expose it to the sun for a day or 

 two after and put it up in bags till wanted for sowing. 



Some people plant the onions which they intend to produce seed 

 in spring, but when planted at that season they are never so pro- 

 ductive of seed as those planted in October, and are much more 

 subject to blite; however, when it is so determined, it should be 

 done as soon after the middle of February as it is possible to get the 

 ground in a fit condition to receive them, and should not be covered 

 more than from two to three inches over their crowns; observing 

 to select for that purpose such roots as have good properties and 

 no growths from their tops. 



A slight covering of straw or light litter laid over the October 

 planted beds, on the approach of hard frost, and raked clean off as 

 soon as the leaves begin to appear in spring, would be of use, 

 though it is not absolutely necessary to the preservation of the 

 roots. 



Horse-Radish and Scurvy Grass. 



You may now plant roots of the Cochlearia armoracia, or horse- 

 radish, in dry, rich ground, agreeably to the directions given in page 

 208, but in moist soil; March will be a preferable time. 



This is a proper season to sow some seed of the Cochlearia officinalis 

 or common officinal scurvy-grass; from this sowing the plants will 

 rise freely in spring, and generally succeed better than if sown at 

 that season. I do not mean what is commonly used for an early 

 spring salad, and generally called scurvy-grass, for the sowing 

 of which I have given directions in page 464, under the name of 

 J f 'inter Cresses. 



Ordinary work. 



Give a general hoeing and weeding to all your crops, and carry 

 the weeds immediately out of the garden, lest they shed their seeds 

 and lay the foundation of much trouble; likewise clean all vacant 

 quarters from weeds, and from the decayed stalks of peas, beans, 

 cabbages, &c. 



Such spaces of ground as are now vacant should be dunged and 

 dug, or trenched, that it may have the true advantage of fallow in 

 the winter season. 



If the ground is of a stiff or heavy nature, throw it up into high 

 sloping ridges, for the reasons assigned in page 9. 



Taking up the roots of Carrots, Beets, «$-c. 

 About the latter end of the month you may begin to take up the 



