Dec] the KITCHEN GARDEN, 577 
much less so than to sow the seed in January or February, and 
nurse, and once or twice transplant the young seedlings during the 
remainder of the winter and spring; besides, the autumn sown 
plants when taken proper care of, will produce much larger and 
better heads than those sown in winter or spring, and be earlier and 
more certain. 
The early Smyrna, York, sugar-loaf, and other tender kinds of 
cabbage plants, require exactly the same treatment as the cauli- 
flower, but being more hardy less covering will be necessary, and 
more air may with safety be admitted. There is nothing more in- 
jurious to either, than to be kept too closely covered; therefore na 
opportunity, if but for half an hour at a time, ought to be omitted 
to admit light and air, when it can be done with any tolerable de- 
gree of safety. 
The Savoy, flat Dutch, drum-head, and other late kinds, will 
keep when planted in warm borders with very little protection; 
arches made of old hoops, &c., should be erected over them on 
which to lay mats, straw, branches of evergreen trees, or shrubs, 
&c. For further particulars, see page 513. 
Care of Lettuce Plants. 
The care of lettuce plants being the same now as in the ensuing 
month, I refer you for the necessary instructions to page 18, and 
also to page 512. 
Small Salading. 
Where small salading, such as cresses, rape, mustard, lettuce^ 
radish, &c. is required at this season, these seeds must be sown in 
a hot-bed, protected with a good frame and glasses, and also sufii- 
cient covering of mats, &c., but care must be taken not to cover 
the seeds deeper with earth than what is barely sufficient to hide 
them. 
Keep the glasses constantly over them, and admit air to the 
plants every day when the weather is mild, by raising the lights a 
little behind, otherwise they will be apt to become mouldy and 
decay. It is almost unnecessary to say that the glasses must be 
kept well covered every night, and even in the day time during 
extremely severe weather. 
Mushrooms. 
Particular care must now be taken to preserve the mushroom 
beds from frost or wet, either of which would destroy the spawn, 
and render the beds unproductive. They must consequently be 
covered with a sufficient depth of dry straw, and over this mats: 
after heavy rains or snow they should be examined, and if you find 
the covering next the earth of the beds wet, take it totally away 
and immediately replace it with dry straw. Where the necessary 
and proper care is taken, there will be a constant supply of mush- 
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