Ch>i THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. [Jan, 



feet high, covered with rotten tan or vegetable mould, or even 

 fine sharp sand, to the depth of four or five inches, upon 

 which sow the seeds thinly in rows across the bed, keeping 

 each sort separately. As soon as the plants vegetate, give them 

 plenty of air, and give water as occasion may require; but 

 much less will be required in hot-beds than in hot-houses, for 

 fear of the crop damping oft'. Along with them, may also be 

 sown a little chervil (where wanted), rape, or any other salad- 

 plants of like habits. Cover slightly at night with mats, or 

 other covering when the weather is severe, but admit as much 

 light as possible, by removing the covering early in the 

 morning. In gathering the crop for use it should not be 

 pulled, but cut neatly off* with a sharp knife, holding the tops 

 of the plants in one hand, and cutting them off" about half 

 their height with the other. They should be carefully washed, 

 and placed in a clean salad-basket, but not allowed to remain 

 in the water longer than necessary to clear them of any par- 

 ticles of mould that may be attached to them ; nei/her should 

 they be gathered long before using, as they will lose much of 

 their flavor by the first, and soon lose their tenderness by the 

 second mode. They should also be kept separate, and an 

 equal portion of each sent from the arden. 



FORCING CARROTS. 



Carrots may be brought to early perfection by being sown on 

 a hot-bed of dung, or leaves, any time this month. A mild 

 temperature is only required, and a bed of two or two and a 

 half feet will be found sufticient for this purpose. When 

 formed to that height put on the frame, and when the heat 

 is up, eardi it over with some very light dry sandy loam, or 

 vegetable mould, to the depth of seven or eight inches. If 

 the seeds, previous to sowing, be well rubbed between the 

 hands, with a mixture of sand or dry mould, it will cause 

 them to separate more readily, as, from their singular construc- 

 tion, they are apt to stick closely attached, and therefore, with- 

 out this precaution, would be difficult to sow regularly upon 

 the bed. After being thus rubbed, they should be mixed with 

 a pfmiwn of light dry mould, say three times their own bulk, 



