574 THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. [Dec. 
the plants should have as much light as possible, and air whenever 
it can be given with safety: decayed leaves must constantly be pick- 
ed off, and taken out of the frame, but watering will seldom be ne- 
cessary at this season, as the steam arising from the bed will occa- 
sion a moist atmosphere about the plants. Observe that the more- 
succulent kinds, will not keep as well in such a place, as in a dry 
stove, or on shelves in the Hot-House. 
The garden pits erected with brick and furnished with flues, in 
which you have tender exotic plants, must also have a lining of hot 
dung placed round them to their full height in order to prevent the 
frost from penetrating in through the wall; moderate fires must be 
made in the flues every evening, and in severe weather to keep up 
the internal heat, when that of the pit is found not to be sufficiently 
strong: the glasses must be well covered with mats, &c. every 
night, and even by day when the weather is cloudy and the frost 
very severe. 
DECEMBER. 
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 round 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 surprize, 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 happen 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, turneps, parsneps, carrots, beets, celery, en- 
dive, cardoons, salsify, scorzonera, &c. But the many chances that 
are against your being able to accomplish this work in December, 
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; 
