450 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
time, when circumstances are favourable, be- 
tween this time and March. Do not plant if 
the soil is much saturated with wet. 
Snowdrops. — Beds of this pretty flower 
may be planted ; or, in company with cro- 
cuses, it forms a prett}' edging to beds of 
other spring flowers. They should also be 
freely distributed about the borders. 
Spring Flowers of all kinds should be espe- 
cially attended to. By far too little care is 
bestowed to obtain these in abundance, and 
thus many of the charms of a flower garden 
are allowed to be lost. 
Tulips. — The soil of the tulip-bed should 
be prepared in readiness for planting the 
bulbs, which maybe done, at six inches apart, 
any time at the end of this month or begin- 
ning of next, when the weather is dry, and 
the soil is in good condition. The offsets and 
small bulbs should be got in without delay. 
The common and early varieties, for the flower 
beds, should be especially thought of. 
Walks. — At this time of the year the walks 
should be kept especially clean and well rolled, 
as some compensation for the waning beauty 
of the flower garden. 
Wallflowers. — These, if not planted out in 
the borders where they are to bloom, should 
be got out without delay: the double ones are 
best preserved in pots in the frames till the 
spring, as severe frost would greatly injure 
them. 
Winter Aconites should never be forgotten 
at the time of planting other bulbs. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
The present is a good time to commence 
the winter operations, such as digging, trench- 
ing, draining, turning composts for manure, 
and laying in a store of soils ; also collecting all 
the dry materials, as pea and bean straw, &c, 
to be used for making hurdles, &c, for pro- 
tecting plants through the winter. The prac- 
tice of keeping every part clean and neat 
must never be overlooked. 
Artichokes (Globe). — Towards the end of 
the month some dry material, as leaves or 
straw litter, should be put neatly around the 
neck of each plant. In mild winters this is 
not necessary, but it is better to be provided 
against a severe one. 
Artichokes ( Jerusalem). — It is not usual to 
lift these ; but if the ground is required, or 
if wet, they may be taken up and kept as 
potatoes, or amongst sand. 
Asparagus. — Cut down the old stalks, which 
will now be fully ripe ; they are useful, being 
of a dry nature, for protecting roses, &c, and 
should be laid away for that purpose : hoe and 
rake the beds, and apply a coating of rich 
manure. 
Beans. — In a south aspect prepare the soil 
for planting the first crop, which will be ready 
for use about May. If the ground is ricli add 
no fresh manure, as luxuriance in any winter 
crop is not desirable ; plant towards the end 
of the month. The Early Mazagan is a good 
sort, and can be put in rows two feet apart, 
and three inches in the row. 
Borecole. — Still fill up any spare places 
with these, as they will be yet serviceable. 
Brocoli. — Lay over those which are very 
luxuriant, this check will make them better 
able to meet the winter. In the early sorts 
break in the centre leaves upon the flower; by 
this means they may be kept longer and safer. 
Beet. — After the middle of the month take 
the roots up, choosing a dry day, and use the 
utmost precaution not to break or bruise them 
in any way : the roots must remain untouched, 
and the leaves should be cut off about three 
inches from the crown. A dark cool house 
or a cellar will be found best adapted for their 
preservation, and they may be packed amongst 
dry sand or mould. 
Cabbages. — Towards the end of the month 
a large planting should be made, to come in 
early in spring ; have the ground well dug or 
trenched. If the ground is not very rich, dig 
in a quantity of manure, and if wet, form it 
into banks or ridges, and plant double the 
quantity requisite, as many are likely to go 
off during winter. Prick out a quantity in 
some sheltered spot. 
Carrots. — The bulk of these may be taken 
up and stored as beet, but they are fresher 
when taken out of the ground as required. 
Cauliflowers. — Those sown last month will 
now be ready to prick out in frames, hand- 
lights, and such sheltered places as beside the 
south wall. It is well to have a number put 
singly into three-inch pots, and kept in frames 
or cold houses, near the glass ; the roots must 
not be allowed to get matted, or they will be 
apt to button. Previous to those now in use 
getting injured by the frost, it is well to go 
over and lift carefully, with a spade, all that 
are likely to form handsome heads, putting 
them in " by the heels" in a shed or frame, as 
close together as the prevention of damp will 
allow : a number of the under leaves should 
be first taken away, and by this means they 
may be kept for months : a yet more excel- 
lent way is to cover them all over in charcoal, 
laying them just so thin as to prevent heating. 
Celery. — Choose a dry day to persevere in 
earthing it up : remove all those which are 
starting to seed. 
JUndive. — A successional crop may yet be 
planted, which will come in early in spring ; 
give them a dry and warm situation. Con- 
tinue to blanch the advanced crops ; they can 
be put into frames or cellars and tied up ; or 
the plants, where they grow, may be covered 
