300 the amateur’s kitchen garden. 
down, so that tilings that have proved inferior, or that evidently 
do not suit the soil, or situation, may be substituted next season, 
for objects of higher merit. Every soil has its peculiarities, and 
one great secret of success, especially in ornamental gardening, 
is to select varieties that have been proved to succeed in the 
place. Pits, frames, and houses ought now to be clean, and 
iree from the smell of paint and putty. If any repairs have 
been neglected, see to them at once, and get all sweet and 
dry without a day’s delay ; for when we get to October, we 
are never sure for a week together but that our appliances and 
manual skill may have a sudden trial. 
This is a time for earnest work in every department. Make 
a general clearance of the ground wherever there are vacant 
spaces, and ridge up all plots not to be planted on during 
winter. Get a waste corner clear for heaping up manures and 
composts, where they Can be turned over during frosts ; and 
if convenient, empty the muck-pit, and cover the rotted stuff 
with a layer of soil to throw off rain ; the whole to be turned 
two or three times before using it in the spring. In preparing 
for next year’s crops, trench over first the ground intended 
for root crops next season, and choose for potatoes, carrots, 
parsnips,^ and beet, plots that have been well manured this 
year. If the soil allows of deep digging, fork over the second 
spit, and if it is of a friable or fertile nature, bring it to the 
top, so as to turn the whole soil over eighteen inches or two 
feet deep. Plant out the August-sown cabbage; leave the 
weakest in the seed-bed for future planting. Plant out 
lettuce in a warm situation ; take up potatoes, carrots, beets, 
and parsnips ; earth up celery. Lay cabbages and broccolis 
that are forward with their heads to the north. In undrained 
soils it is a good plan to cut a few channels among standing 
crops, to enable the heavy rains to run off more quickly to ari 
outlet, as dryness of the ground very much lessons the effects 
of frost. Fork over asparagus beds, and clear away all litter ; 
remove the stems with a knife, and dress the crowns with 
manure, and a little fresh mould over all. This is the best 
time to make plantations of rhubarb for producing next season. 
Let the ground be deeply dug and well manured. Tomatoes 
not ripe should be cut with a length of stem, and put in a 
warm greenhouse, where they will soon ripen. 
Towards the end of the month gooseberries, currants, and 
raspberries may be moved. New plantations should be made 
