Dec] THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. 575 
otherwise they will draw up and become weak: constantly pick 
off all decayed leaves, which if suffered to remain on would be very 
injurious to the plants, especially if it should happen, as it frequently 
does in this month, that the weather would be so severe as to ren- 
der it imprudent to uncover the beds for several days successively; 
for when these decayed leaves rot, they emit a rancid vapour, which 
mixing with the confined air of the beds, renders it very unwhole- 
some 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 
round 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 
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 
no 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 Sallading. 
Where small sallading, 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 suffi- 
