242 GARDENING FOR PROFIT. 



no account should they be kept on in day time, as it is of 

 the utmost importance that they be not made tender at 

 this time by being "drawn" under the sashes. I may 

 again repeat that these plants are half hardy, and it is 

 killing them with kindness to protect them from slight 

 freezing. Cabbage and Lettuce plants may be exposed 

 in any place without glass, or other protection, where the 

 thermometer runs no lower than 10 above zero. Rhubarb 

 and Asparagus beds will be benefited by a covering of 4 

 or 6 inches of rough manure, or any other litter, to pre- 

 vent 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 be 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 been such that it has been 

 unnecessary before ; the covering should not be less than 

 4 or 5 inches of litter or leaves, only taking care that the 

 material is light, weight or closeness would prevent evap- 

 oration too much at this season, while the weather is not 

 yet severe ; the final 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 cov- 



