CALENDARIAL MEMORANDA FOR DECEMBER. 
479 
put into the house with the view of preserving it; but this is an erro¬ 
neous notion, unless it be supposed that, by the abstraction of the latent 
heat from some of the ice dissolved by the salt, a greater degree of cold 
is produced to consolidate the remainder. But salt is altogether unne¬ 
cessary ; if ice do not keep without, it cannot be preserved with such 
an application. Confectioners use salt to dissolve not preserve the ice, 
because a much more intense degree of cold is generated during the 
solution than if the nodules of ice remained undissolved. 
The inner door of the house should not be on hinges, but formed in 
two or three parts, moveable in grooves in the side posts. This saves the 
trouble of removing all the straw in the passage every time the house is 
entered; as by removing a part of the straw, and the upper part of the 
inner door, a man may squeeze himself in with his shovel, lantern, and 
pail, without disturbing much of the straw in the passage. 
Mushrooms. The bed will require to be frequently examined whether 
bearing or not; more or less covering may be needed according to the 
temperature, as indicated by the thermometer. 
Tender Plants in Frames. Cauliflower, lettuce, endive. See., in 
frames, should be attended to. Air should be given on all favourable 
occasions, and be kept free from decayed leaves, weeds, and damps. A 
covering of mats may also be often necessary. Asparagus, sea-kale, 
and rhubarb, intended to be taken up for forcing, should be covered 
with litter, lest they get imprisoned by frost when wanted to be 
taken up. 
Fruit Garden. —Pruning and training or transplanting in mild 
weather may still be executed; and where top-dressings of either rotten 
dung or compost are required, now is a good time to spread them over 
the roots. 
Flower Garden. —There is but little to do in the flower garden 
at this season. If very hard frost sets in, some of the beds planted in 
the two former months, may require the occasional covering of mats, and 
every thing liable to be hurt by frost should have some sort of protec¬ 
tion. A few more pots of bulbous and tuberous flowers may be planted 
to go into the house to succeed those planted in October. Greenhouse 
plants should have all the air that can be given with safety. Some of 
the plants that are growing freely will require water once or twice a 
week; but the generality but seldom. If the house become damp for 
want of sufficient ventilation, the flue should be heated, and plenty of 
mild air admitted to dry it; and it is hardly necessary to add, that if 
frost prevail a little fire will be wanted every night, but never more 
than is just sufficient to repel the frosty air. 
