5GQ THE KITCHEN GARDEN. (Nov. 



time, a neat rounding form; finish by casting up with a shovel the 

 loose earth out of the bottoms of the trenches evenly over the ridges, 

 in order that the water occasioned by heavy rains, &c. may imme- 

 diately run oft": on which account the trenches ought to have a gen- 

 tle declivity, as a lodgement of water about the roots in winter is 

 the greatest evil and danger they have to encounter; even greater 

 than the most severe frost of our climate. 



The beds are to remain so until there is an appearance of hard 

 frost, when they should be covered with light dry litter, straw, 

 leaves of trees, fern, peas-haulm or the like, the better to preserve 

 the crowns and roots from its rigour. In this manner the roots will 

 remain in perfect safety all winter, and in March they are to have 

 their spring dressing as directed in page 203. 



When your artichoke plantation wants manure, lay on a coat of 

 old rotten dung previous to the digging of the trenches, and cover 

 it over with the earth as you throw it up; in the spring following 

 dig it in. 



Forcing Asparagus. 



This is a very proper time to begin to force asparagus in hot- 

 beds; for the method see page 121. 



You should now, previous to the setting in of hard frost, cover 

 the asparagus-beds containing the plants which you intend to force 

 during the ensuing months, with as much straw, or light litter of 

 some kind, as will prevent the ground from becoming frozen, so 

 that you can take up the roots with convenience and without injury 

 when wanted. This method is preferable to taking them up and 

 depositing them in a cellar, in sand or earth, which is practised by 

 some gardeners. 



Onions. 



The young crops of Welsh onion, or Allium fistulo sum, should 

 be kept free from weeds; some may be thinned out for use in salads, 

 &c, the remaining plants will stand the winter even if their foliage 

 decay, and produce a plentiful supply early in spring. 



Dried onions should be occasionally examined, and such as show 

 a tendency to rot carefully picked out. 



Patience Bock. 



The Uumcx patienlia, or patience dock, being a plant that affords 

 an early Bpring salad for boiling, and being perennial in root, is de- 

 serving ol a place in the garden. The leaves are very large, long 

 and succulent, and are produced in great abundance; the plant may 

 be propagated by sowing the seed any time this month while the 

 ground continues open, and the plants will rise freely in spring, or 

 you may sow the seeds in March or early in April, but those sown 

 at this time will make stronger and earlier plants; the seeds may 

 be sown pretty thick in drills eighteen inches asunder, and covered 



