1186 
TTIE FIELD. 
THE GARDEN. 
VEGETABLE PROTECTION. 
This is by no meins an unimportant branch of horticul- 
ture, for in our northern clime we arc apt to vece^e such 
severe visitations in the shape of (tally autumnal hosts, 
protracted and hard winters, and capricious springs, as 
to cause the experienced gardener much jealousy. A 
really good gardener trusts little to the weather, 
almanacks arc of little use to him; even the mdefati- 
oablo and long-continued labour of the meteorologist, 
however valuable ns leading to general deductions, is 
allowed but a moderate share of influence m Ins prac- 
tice Now this is not because be despises science ; it is 
not ’that be despises the rule, but that lie dreads the excep- 
tion. Indeed, it would little avail that he owned weather 
rules to have been his guide, when the ladies of the establish- 
ment were mourning the loss of their pets alter an unexpected 
frovt. We must all remember that the ice-king is a 
slippery personage, .and that although wc very naturally 
expect bis frigid embraces in December and January, yet 
he lias been known to make very early calls; and also 
such late ones, us might fairly warrant, on certain occasions, 
our calling him a procrastinator. But why lay all the 
blame on this adamantine monarch ?— has not the chilling 
breeze a vast influence in the world of gardening/ Indeed 
it has; and amidst the general sufferings of the gardening 
fraternity, these two powers would appear to divide 
spoils. There is, however, yet another enemy to contend 
with, which although not quite of so serious a character, 
must still be placed in the category. I mean moisture ; 
which may affect variously, either separately or m con- 
junction with the before-named powers. 
We have now the enemy full in view, and I will proceed 
to oiler advice, the result of experience; ns “burnt 
children dread the fire,” so I, having been singed many 
times, may be expected to feel strongly. In casting our 
eyes over the vegetable world, as exhibited in our kitchen 
gardens, wc find not only plants of foreign climes, but the in- 
digenous ones, requiring what we term, in a gardening 
sense, “ protection.” This is not because they are so tender 
as to be ill-adapted to the climate that produced them ; but 
because man in his attempt to render the vegetable as well 
ns animal world subservient to his purpose, lias thrown 
them into a position which nature, aiming chiefly at the 
perpetuation of the species, took little care about. Let us 
look at our endives! which we may fairly call aristocratic 
dandelions ; not indigenous certainly, tor we are told that 
the Cichorium endivia, or endive, is an East Indian ; hut 
we all know that most of what are called, in broad terms, 
“ East Indian plants,” require a hothouse here ; this annual 
however flourishes during even the cooler part ot the autumn 
in Britain. The fact is, that its history is little known ; it 
may have conic from the east, but, it so, surely from some 
great elevation. This would seem to he a fair inference 
from the fact, that it is impatient of damp air long con- 
tinued," together with a diminished degree of light : low 
temperature, after all, acquires much of -its importance in 
this matter through such powerful coadjutors in the work of 
destruction. 
As to materials for protection purposes, every one de- 
sirous of securing a thorough supply of good vegetables, 
should, in the middle of October, look to a good supply of 
litter. Now this litter should not be any sort of rubbish, 
out of a mistaken notion of economy ; if vegetables such 
as lettuces, endives, cauliflowers, celery, &c., will pay for 
protection, they will at least pay for good litter. 1 find 
nothing better than newly-thrashed wheat straw for strong 
growing crops, and oat straw for lighter things. But these 
materials are meant chiefly to exclude frost and chilling 
winds, they cannot keep out wet, and when it i? really 
necessary so to do, why l know of nothing better than the 
asphnlte felting: — “ frigi domo,” 1 have not tried. I will 
now take some of our chief vegetables in detail, and point 
out modes of protection ; but before doing so, I must 
offer a few general observations. In the first place, I like, 
as a maxim, to cover somewhat early and lightly ; rather 
than defer it until an extreme case occurs. Many of our 
vegetables suffer more when taken by surprise in the early 
part of November, than afterwards; especially if it has 
been a growing autumn. Things thus early covered with 
a delicate screen, just enough to carry oil' cutting winds, 
and to soften the rigour ot frost, may remain covered thus 
for days, even in mild weather, without taking any harm ; 
that is to say, supposing the party too busy to attend to 
them ; indeed, we frequently leave this screen intentionally 
on such things as endive, lettuce, & c. — crops which it is 
desirable to advance a stage in the way of blanching. If, 
however, it is frosty, with n likelihood of continuance, 
our practice is not to add more litter or other covering until 
the very soil in which the crop is growing is frozen nearly 
an inch in depth ; then we apply our complement of cover- 
ing — the object being to keep them frozen as long as 
possible. Thus, remaining completely dormant, damp lias 
no effect on them, and all extremes of frost being warded 
off, and the cutting blast carried over their heads, they 
remain as safe as the art of man can render them ; and, 
doubtless, some things will keep better this way than if they 
were under glass cases or frames, where a humid and stag- 
nant atmosphere, combined with a partial deprivation of 
light, is but too apt to throw the plants into an attenuated 
state — a kind of vegetable consumption. 
Under the protective mode here suggested, the uncover- 
ing and gradually inuring them to light after being 
shut up so long, is important, and requites some care; a 
moment’* thought, however, about the effects of a too 
sudden thaw, cither in the vegetable or animal world, will 
lead to Bound practice ; and those who have ever received a 
basket of soft-wooded plants after a long journey, matted 
closely, and then unluckily exposed them instantly to a bright 
sunshine, will he tolerably well acquainted with the effects 
of a sudden exposure to light after days of darkness. On 
such occasions, a thaw supervening, we never distress our- 
selves about uncovering at that period when hundreds are 
in a hurry to get their crops thawed ; wc always leave them 
covered until wc can with ease thrust the linger into the soil 
in which they grow, and then practice only a partial un- 
covering, leaving a light screen over them to avoid the evil 
influences of a too sudden admission of light, and of a sharp 
and cutting air, if such should prevail. 
We will now proceed to point to some of our chief crops, 
such as cauliflowers, celery, coleworts, brocolis, lettuces, 
endives, &c. These I will deal with in their order. 
Cauliflowers. — It is well known that cauliflowers in 
head will keep a long time suspended from the roof of a 
shed or outhouse, where severe frosts can be excluded. 
They, however, become considerably shrivelled, and some- 
what tarnished in colour. We therefore think it not good to 
risk many in this way. One chief consideration is to house 
or otherwise afford them extra protection before they are 
injured by frosts ; it is ill vain to do so afterwards. Our 
practice is this, and it succeeds admirably. In the end of 
October, we have all cauliflowers examined ; those in head 
or “ showing ” have each a wisp of oat straw (bundled up 
in the hand) thrust in amongst the central leaves ; this 
wards off any frost at this period. They are again examined 
in the second week of November, when more will he show- 
ing ; these, if forward, are treated in like manner, hut those 
just’showing are, at this period, removed to a trench as 
'follows On any convenient spot an excavation is made, 
five feet in width, and over two feet in depth, the sides of 
the trench being heat firmly, so as not to full in, though it 
would be worth while to 'shore the sides up with rough 
slabs. The cauliflowers, taken up with earth adhering, and 
first having their long leaves slightly shortened, are here 
“ heeled," as it is termed, almost close together. Across this 
trench some poles are laid, the ends hooked down, and over 
the poles mats are placed nightly. In the event of severe 
weather, litter of any kind is thickly strewn, and increased 
when necessary. Frost is hereby almost entirely excluded ; 
the soil, to he sure, may become slightly crisped bv frost, 
but not to harm them, and all that is requisite is to un- 
cover them as frequently os a chance offers, for on the dis- 
persion of confined damp, through the medium of a free 
circulation of air occasionally, their wellbeing depends. 
If the early winter is tolerably mild, and the successive 
crops have received attention in the way of litter, another 
batch may he secured at the end of the month, and by such 
means it" is perfectly easy to command nice cauliflowers 
into the new year. This, to the cook, is a thing of much 
importance. 
Celery.— The preservation of this useful vegetable 
depends much on its receiving a liberal earthing in the end 
of October. But it is not in the amount of earth alone ; 
the way in which it is applied deserves consideration. It 
will be manifest to our renders that the closer the soil 
presses the stem of the celery the more secure will it he. 
It is, therefore, expedient at this period to take some pains 
in what is termed “ hand earthing,” that is, putting the 
finishing touch to it by means of the hand, taking care to 
gather all the foliage and stalks close together, and pressing 
the soil closely to them, so as scarcely to leave any inter- 
stices for frost or sun to enter. This should be done when 
dry : it requires a sort of hay-making day to accomplish 
this, and is best done in the afternoon. Those who are 
particular about their winter and spring celery should 
cover with litter according to the principles laid down 
previously; a flickering, light covering betimes— say be- 
ginning of November, if frosts occur — and when the soil is 
encrusted an inch in thickness, let the full complement of 
covering be superadded. Alter this, the same cautious 
mode of procedure should he observed when a thaw comes, 
as before suggested ; and this, we believe, will he found 
quite satisfactory. One thing more : celery is apt to 
“run,” that is, to begin to shoot for the future bloom, 
in February. It is well, then, to take up the remainder 
and to “ heel ” it; this gives a salutary check, which, for 
a while, retards the advanc mg blossom-spike. 
Coleworts. — It may seem odd to some persons to 
find importance attached to these; but whatever may 
be thought of them in summer as ordinary greens, they 
are of eminent service to our best cooks in the dead of win- 
Too many are apt to confound them with mere cub- 
ter. 
bnge sprouts; but, all hough of the same parentage, they 
differ widely. From their rapid growth, which, under high 
culture, is but a matter of from ten to twelve weeks, they 
are exquisitely tender ; and, moreover, being of kinds noted 
for dwarfishness and precocity, they possess, in the condition 
termed colewort, a special character. The practice we are 
about to propose may he thought somewhat singular, but 
on trial it will be found well worth while, taking winters on 
the average. Suppose a person to have a quantity in the 
second week of November, from a sowing made about mid- 
summer ; let us also suppose them to he just in that state 
which practical call “ beginning to cabbage ; ” let them 
then he pulled up, at least those beginning to “ head"— 
selected, and “heeled” — thick as they can he placed in 
any open spot. Here let their treatment be precisely ns 
recommended previously for celery, &<•., and it will he 
found that a very little litter will protect some hundreds, 
and that a supply will he guaranteed to the table in a most 
delicate state, until the end of January, or, in some cases, 
much longer. 
Brocolis. — In referring to protective matters as con- 
nected with this numerous family, I must beg at 
once to group them into two sections, having, of course, 
reference to protection matters. These two groups will be, 
first, autumnal kinds; and, second, our true spring brocolis. 
As for our midwinter kinds, they are not by any means 
plentiful ; unless we take Snow's winter white, when pure, 
Walclierens, and the sprouting or branching brocolis. 
Autumn brocolis, such as the Capes, Grange's autumnal, 
and others of similar habit, will submit to the kind of pro- 
tection suggested for the cauliflower: only, be it observed, 
they are somewhat hardier than the cauliflower, and do not 
require assistance quite so early, or of quite so coaxing a 
character. An old practice with regard to brocolis still 
prevails, and it may yet he regarded as good : it is that of 
“ falling, ’’ or sinking, the plants in the course of Novem- 
ber, in order to subdue their grossness, thereby enabling 
them better to withstand the vicissitudes of winter. The 
practice is correct in principle, inasmuch as snow being 
an excellent protector, there is a double advantage in the 
practice, providing we have snow ; the only real set-off 
that can be placed against these advantages being, as far 
as we are aware, loss of power in the plant, and, conse- 
quently, of size. After many years’ experience, we see no 
reason to discontinue the practice, and must beg to remind 
our readers that the heads must be placed towards the north 
in order that when snow falls such a natural and econo- 
mical covering may he preserved as long as possible. \V e 
need scarcely urge here, that a good dinner in February, 
March, or April, is all the more complete by adding fine 
white brocolis to the forced asparagus, sea-kale, and mush- 
rooms; wc may not entirely depend on our winters 
for success, without having recourse to protection. Such 
being the case, a little clean wheat-straw thrust carefully 
between and over the principal portions of the foliage, 
proves of much service. This is just tucked up into a sort 
of wisp, and thrust quietly in the centre of each crown ; 
at the same time thrusting a few straws here and there be- 
tween the outer leaves of the crown. This, whether the 
plants are “heeled” or not, will much assist in protecting 
them. 
Lettuces. — Our readers, doubtless, know that the Bath 
cos and the hardy green cabbage lettuces are the very best 
to pass the winter. Such, sown about the middle of August, 
on good soil, will be fit to transplant about the third 
week in October. They will, of course, he stout little 
plants, and by the middle of November, if not earlier, will 
at least deserve protection if they do not chance to require 
it. In obedience to the same principles, which have before 
been pointed to, we suggest the timely use of clean straw ; 
a thin screen betimes — say, the first sharp frost at the end 
of October, : increasing it afterwards in proportion to the 
frown of the ice-king. Fresh thrashed oat-straw is a nice 
thing for an early screcner, and new wheat-straw is the 
best to add to it in very hard frosts. As to thawing, we 
have nothing to add beyond previous observations. 
Endive. — Fine blanched endive is such an important 
adjunct to a good salad-howl, that no pains should he spared 
to preserve it through the winter. One of the best plans 
by which to accomplish this, is to form turf pits ; to fix 
some spars or rafters at regular distances over them, and to 
cover with the asphalte lelt. Such are extensively used 
at the Earl of Sefton’s, at Croxteth, near Liverpool, and 
answer admirably. As many of our readers may not have 
the means to do so, we may just glance at the next best 
modes of preserving it. In the first place, all endive of any 
size or consequence should receive a slight flickering pro- 
tection from the end of October onwards. Our practice is, 
lie the weather what it may, to shake a little straw on 
in the evening ; but this is not removed every morning : it 
sometimes remains for two or three days together, prin- 
cipally on dull and quiet days. Endive is, however, so 
liable to engender rot, that no chance should he lost in getting 
it dried ; and, to accomplish this, not only sun hut wind is 
of consequence. That likely to be required for use in two 
or three weeks may remain covered much longer than 
younger stock, for while they remain covered of course the 
blanching process is advancing. This practice of night 
covering is, after all, no more pains than are taken over 
early radish beds. But it is unsafe to leave all the stock 
thus in the open ground, for the wet may ultimately prove 
a greater enemy than the frost, and means must be taken 
to ensure a comparative degree of dryness to one portion of 
the stock. Of course, any glazed structure is excellent for 
the dead of winter ; and if any one is fortunate enough to 
he able to spare a frame or two, or a pit, such may be filled 
with some of the best of the stock about the beginning of 
November. It is not worth while to introduce any that is 
tied for blanching to these structures ; such may be pre- 
served for present use by good covering, or a quantity may 
he housed in some dry, open shed, removing them with balls 
of earth when the plants are very dry, and burying them 
up to their necks in dryish soil; the charred material of the 
rubbish heap, doubtless, would be excellent, as being 
antiseptic. Those removed to the frames at that period 
should he the very best plants unblanched, and they should 
be selected for their stoutness and compactness. They 
will, of course, be removed with good balls of soil, and the 
material they are planted in should he rather dry ; for dis- 
tance they may be placed about eight or nine inches apart : 
henceforth they will require all ventilation possible, and 
the lights should he lifted entirely off them on windy and 
dry days. The lights must he out every night, and the 
covering increased as needed ; in fact, they must not be 
suffered to become frozen if it can he avoided ; hut if they 
should, let the same principles be applied in thawing as be- 
fore suggested. Ill addition to these modes, it is a good 
plan to remove a quantity with balls and place them close 
under a garden wall or fence ; this is a very good situation, 
especially if the wall possesses a coping. Here, too, they 
must have some litter shaken over them ; and, indeed, the 
practice before described must be adhered to. As to 
blanching, of course they may he tied up succes- 
sively, and according to the needs ol' the family. Some 
persons lay slates or boards on them, and some use 
blanching-pans ; these are all very well in their way, but 
we are not aware of anything better than tying them with 
bass. Tying, however, like everything else, may be done 
well, middling, or had : this is a more important matter 
than many would imagine. The operator should take 
special care not to wound the endive, and, instead of tying 
grudgingly a piece of bass once round, lie should have bass 
long enough to go four times round, depending more on a 
repetition of bands than on a tight hugging ol the plant. 
The tie should commence at the lower portion of the plant, 
he drawn very lightly there ; return round the very centre, 
being there slightly compressed ; thence, a stage higher, 
drawn pretty close ; and, finally, round the upper portion, 
which may be so far closed as to exclude wet. Towards 
the beginning of December, a stock of that from out-doors, 
which has been tied about two or three weeks, may J’ 1 
taken in-doors when in a very dry state ; it may there bi 
buried to the neck in dry soil, and will thus keep for 
for several weeks ; in which case, those in frames or p»* 
may he made to succeed them. More advice might here 
be offered concerning endive, but we pass on to other 
matters, 
