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XLV. Description of a Pit for Winter and early Spring 

 Forcing. In a Letter to the Secretary. By Mr. Alex- 

 ander Stewart, F. H. S. 



Read March 7, 1826. 



Sir, 



It is with much pleasure that I now send you a description 

 of the economical Pit used at this place for preserving 

 vegetables during the Winter, and for raising early Salads, 

 Potatoes, and other tender esculents, in the spring : indeed 

 it would be tedious to mention the various articles that may 

 be preserved and forwarded in this simple contrivance ; the 

 advantages I have derived from it for the last ten years 

 enable me to speak with certainty of its utility. It may 

 perhaps be more useful here than in the South, but to those 

 who are desirous to have the table well supplied with vege- 

 tables during winter, its advantages will, I think, be obvious 

 from the following details. 



In the month of October, or sooner, according to the 

 season, I begin to fill the pit by lifting all the Cape Brocolis, 

 Cauliflowers, Lettuces, and Endives : of the two first, all such 

 as are about to show their heads, some few a little forwarder, 

 others somewhat later, so as to keep up a succession for use : 

 in removing the plants from the different quarters of the 

 garden care is taken to keep as much earth about the roots 



