57G 



WORK TO BE DONE IN THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 



This is very frequently one of the most severe of our winter 

 months, and every judicious gardener will be well provided against 

 its rigour by having all his frames lined around as directed in No- 

 vember, and being well supplied with the necessary mats and other 

 covering. If this provision be neglected, he may be taken, as it 

 were, by surprise, and in one or two nights lose a great number of 

 valuable plants. 



Should the weather prove mild, and the ground continue open 

 in the beginning of the month, which seldom happens in the middle 

 or eastern states, you may complete any work recommended to be 

 done in November, and then unavoidably omitted; such as dressing 

 asparagus and artichoke beds, taking up and putting into a state of 

 preservation, cabbages, turnips, parsneps, carrots, beets, celery, 

 endive, cardoons, salsafy, scorzonera, &c. But the many chances 

 that are against your being able to accomplish this work in Decem- 

 ber, ought to induce you to double your diligence in November, 

 and complete every thing in due season. 



Caulifloiver and Cabbage Plants. 



Every mild day observe to uncover your cauliflower plants which 

 are under frames and glasses, that they may enjoy the free air, 

 otherwise they will draw up and become weak: constantly pick oft' 

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

 injurious to the plants, especially if it should happen, as it fre- 

 quently does in this month, that the weather should be so severe as 

 to render it imprudent to uncover the beds for several days suc- 

 cessively; for when these decayed leaves rot, they emit a rancid 

 vapour, which, mixing with the confined air of the beds, renders it 

 very unwholesome for the plants. 



When it is not safe to take oft' 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 around the outside, as directed in November, to prevent the 

 frost from penetrating in at the sides and ends thereof. 



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



