DECEMBER 



171 



the soil with heavy layers of corn stalks to keep the rain from 

 washing off the soil. Transplant celery to shallow layers of soil in 

 deep crates. Keep them well watered without wetting the stems. 

 If these are started in the cellar they will continue growth and be 

 nicely blanched and tender when wanted for table use. 



Protect the winter hardy crops such as winter greens, winter 

 onions, etc., and let them remain out of doors through the winter. 

 A light coat of leaves or similar litter may be enough. 



Plan to use the hotbeds and keep them well filled with growing 

 crops. Seeds of cabbage, cauliflower, radish, lettuce and a number 



Fig. 98. — The cleaning up season is here. Tomato stakes are tied in bundles, old vines 

 and stalks are raked together and left to rot in a compost. It is best to never burn the garden 

 wastes. They will make good manure and humus in the soil. (Photo from K. I. State Col- 

 lege, Ext. Dept.) 



of greens may be started in coldframes now and transplanted 

 later to the hotbed. 



Parsley may be transplanted from the garden now and put into 

 window boxes for use in the kitchen as needed during the winter. 



Before the ground freezes, take up some large strong clumps of 

 asparagus and put them in boxes in the cellar. Do the same with 

 rhubarb roots. These can be used for forcing during the severe 

 weather of January and February. 



Flowers. — This is the latest month for the starting of winter 

 bulbs. They will be late enough if started early in December. 

 Some of the bulbs can be planted out of doors at any time when 

 the ground is not frozen. 



