560 THE KITCHEN GARDEN. (Nov. 
time, a neat rounding form; finish by casting up with a shovel the 
loose earth out of the bottoms of the trenches evenl j over the ridges, 
in order that the water occasioned bj heavy rains, &c. may imme- 
diately run off: on which account the trenches ought to have a gen- 
tle declivity, as a lodgement of water about the roots in winter is 
the greatest evil and danger they have to encounter; even greater 
than the most severe frost of our climate. 
The beds are to remain so until there is an appearance of hard 
frost, when they should be covered with light dry litter, straw, 
leaves of trees, fern, peas-haulm or the like, the better to preserve 
the crowns and roots from its rigour. In this manner the roots will 
remain in perfect safety all winter, and in March they are to have 
their spring dressing as directed in page 203. 
When your artichoke plantation wants manure, lay on a coat of 
old rotten dung previous to the digging of the trenches, and cover 
it over with the earth as you throw it up; in the spring following 
dig it in. 
Forcing Asparagus. 
This is a very proper time to begin to force asparagus in hot- 
beds; for the method see page 121. 
You should now, previous to the setting in of hard frost, cover 
the asparagus-beds containing the plants which you intend to force 
during the ensuing months, with as much straw, or light litter of 
some kind, as will prevent the ground from becoming frozen, so 
that you can take up the roots with convenience and without injury 
when wanted. This method is preferable to taking them up and 
depositing them in a cellar, in sand or earth, which is practised by 
some gardeners. 
Onions. 
The young crops of Welsh onion, or Allium Jistulo sum, should 
be kept free from weeds; some may be thinned out for use in salads, 
&c., the remaining plants will stand the winter even if their foliage 
decay, and produce a plentiful supply early in spring. 
Dried onions should be occasionally examined, and such as show 
a tendency to rot carefully picked out. 
Patience Bock. 
The Rumex patientia, or patience dock, being a plant that affords 
an early spring salad for boiling, and being perennial in root, is de- 
serving of a place in the garden. The leaves are very large, long 
and succulent, and are produced in great abundance; the plant may 
be propagated by sowing the seed any time this month while the 
ground continues open, and the plants will rise freely in spring, or 
you may sow the seeds in March or early in April, but those sown 
at this time will make stronger and earlier plants; the seeds may 
be sown pretty thick in drills eighteen inches asunder, and covered 
