MONTHLY CALENDAR. 369 



zero. Rhubarb and Asparagus beds will be benefited 

 by a covering of four or six inches of rough manure, or 

 any other litter, to prevent the severity of the frost ; the 

 crop from beds thus covered will come in a few days 

 earlier, and will be stronger than if left unprotected. 



DECEMBER. Occasionally we have the ground open, 

 so that digging and plowing can bo done to nearly the 

 end of the month, but it is not safe to calculate much 

 after the first week ; though by covering up the roots, 

 still undug, with their own leaves or with litter", we are 

 often enabled to dig our Horseradish or Parsnips very 

 late in the month, and, like all other vegetables, the later 

 they remain in the soil they grow in the finer is the 

 quality. 



Celery trenches should receive the first covering early 

 in the month, if the weather has bsen such that it has 

 been unnecessary before. The covering should not be less 

 than four or five inches of litter or leaves, only taking 

 care that the material is light ; weight or closeness would 

 prevent evaporation too much at this season, while the 

 weather is not yet severe. The find. covering should not 

 be later than the end of the month. 



The crops of Spinach, Kale, Onions, Shallots, etc., 

 that have been planted or sown in September, should be 

 covered up with hay or straw if their position is much 

 exposed ; if not, there is no particular necessity. When 

 all has been secured safely in winter quarters, attention 

 must be energetically turned to procuring manure, muck, 

 and all available kinds of fertilizers. There is little dan- 

 ger of spending too much in this way if you have it to 

 spend ; depend upon it, there is no better investment if 

 you are working your Garden for Profit. Straw and 

 rope for straw mat making should always be on hand, so 

 as to give employment to the hands in stormy weather. 



