576 
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WORK TO BE DONE IN THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
This is very frequently one of the most severe of our winter 
months, and every judicious gardener will be well provided against 
its rigour by having all his frames lined around as directed in No- 
vember, and being well supplied with the necessary mats and other 
covering. If this provision be neglected, he may be taken, as it 
were, by surprise, and in one or two nights lose a great number of 
valuable plants. 
Should the weather prove mild, and the ground continue open 
in the beginning of the month, which seldom happens in the middle 
or eastern states, you may complete any work recommended to be 
done in November, and then unavoidably omitted; such as dressing 
asparagus and artichoke beds, taking up and putting into a state of 
preservation, cabbages, turnips, parsneps, carrots, beets, celery, 
endive, cardoons, salsafy, scorzonera, &c. But the many chances 
that are against your being able to accomplish this work in Decem- 
ber, ought to induce you to double your diligence in November, 
and complete every thing in due season. 
Cauliflower and Cabbage Plants. 
Every mild day observe to uncover your cauliflower plants which 
are under frames and glasses, that they may enjoy the free air, 
otherwise they will draw up and become weak: constantly pick oft' 
all decayed leaves, which, if suftered to remain on, would be very 
injurious to the plants, especially if it should happen, as it fre- 
quently does in this month, that the weather should be so severe as 
to render it imprudent to uncover the beds for several days suc- 
cessively; for when these decayed leaves rot, they emit a rancid 
vapour, which, mixing with the confined air of the beds, renders it 
very unwholesome for the plants. 
When it is not safe to take off the lights entirely, in the middle 
of the day, let them be raised upon props two or three inches at 
the back of the frames, to let in fresh air to the plants. 
The glasses must be covered every night with mats, straw, fern, 
or some other long, dry litter, and even in the day time when the 
frost is very rigorous; but no opportunity ought to be missed to 
admit light to the plants, and to give them air when it can be done 
with safety. The frame containing them must be carefully lined 
all around the outside, as directed in November, to prevent the 
frost from penetrating in at the sides and ends thereof. 
Some will consider this rather troublesome, but it will be found 
