November 27. 
COUNTRY GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION. 
145 
I 
about Christmas, it is likely King Frost will be laying 
hands on them; or, long before that, the insiduous 
enemy, “ Damp,” will be carrying them off piece-meal. 
The fruit-room^ too, will want looking over betimes, to 
remove decayed fruit, and otherwise to keep the general 
stock in order; and as some of the kinds of Pears and 
Apples will be getting out of season, and done with, 
the place they occupied will give the other kinds a 
chance to be laid thinner. Routine work of different 
kinds will also require its proper share of attention ; but 
that will be dwelt upon below; but I cannot do more 
here than enforce on the proprietor of small gardens 
the propriety of hurrying on any alterations intended, 
and that all new work ought to be done forthwith. 
a. -This being Straivherries and Basplerries, little ' 
can be done except removing anything unsightly 
that may by accident get among these crops. Suckers 
of Raspberries may be taken up; but the general 
pruning had better he deferred until March, un¬ 
less in dry, early situations, where the canes have 
been well ripened. The best way to grow Rasp¬ 
berries is to tie the canes to a sort of slender 
trellis work—wire looks best; this is better than 
tying them up in a bunch; yet good fruit is often j 
obtained from the latter way. Prune all Goose¬ 
berry and Currant trees without delay which 
may surround this or any other quarter, and 
remove the cuttings and other unsightly objects at 
once. 
h. -Look over the BrocoU frequently, and cut all that 
is ready, and store it away in some cool place, I 
where it will keep for sevei'al days without injury, ; 
while a sharp frost destroys it. Take notice of the 
various kinds, and note down their features, so as 
to judge another season which is the most valu- . 
able. If the situation be a very cold one, it is 
better to lay some of the winter Brocoli plants on 
their sides, which is done by beginning at the west 
side of the plot, and take a spit of earth from that 
side of the plant, and then bend the plant down 
that way, taking a spit of earth from the next 
plant, and laying on the back of the first one, to 
keep it down, and so on, until the plot is finished. 
This system enables the plants to endure a harder 
frost than they otherwise would, and the oblique 
position does not in any way prevent the head 
from assuming its proper shape. 
c. - Asparayus beds having been done up for the 
winter last month, the Globe Artichokes v^'iW require 
a little covering up before very severe weather sets 
in; but the forcing of Sea-kale will be theprincipal 
duty required here; and, in fact, one of the most 
important of the season. This is, unquestionably, 
best done on the ground, if fermenting materials are 
at hand; only care must be taken that they do not 
overheat, as this is a time where a very little too 
much heat will destroy the plant; whereas, in 
March it will endure much more. There is no 
better way than covering the plants with pots or 
boxes, after first scraping away a little of the 
earth from the collar, and covering it with coal- 
ashes to keep away slugs, &c. Tree leaves are as 
good as anything, and their gentle heat is seldom 
too strong for Sea-kale. Rhubarb may be brought 
on in the same way, only it is much slower to 
start; but after that its progress is quick. 
d. -On the approach of very severe weather, cover up 
the Celery with dry litter of any kind, after taking 
up and storing away what is likely to be wanted 
for a fortnight or so. Level and dig the ground as 
it becomes vacant, which will both look better, and 
also receive the benefit of the frost. Avoid tread¬ 
ing on the ground when it is wet, if possible. 
e. -This being late Brocoli, and other winter stuff, 
requires no particular notice at this time, save to 
lay some of them down as detailed above. Should 
the winter be very severe, they may suffer, more or 
less ; but, in a general way, Brocoli escapes without 
any protection; although, in very remote, cold 
situations it is taken up and planted thickly in 
some protected bed or cold frame, where it forms its 
heads in due time ; certainly they are smaller than 
they would be if left undisturbed, and mild weather 
continue; but such is not to be expected in the 
most northern part of the kingdom. 
/.-Take notice that the frost does not throw out the 
Cabbage plants that may have been planted late; 
and if the wind blows them about so as to make a 
sort of hole around the stem of each, tread it well 
on a dry day. Should weeds make their appear¬ 
ance amongst the first planted, let the ground be 
slightly pointed over, burying such things as 
Groundsel, duckweed, and the annual grasses. 
And the digging being done in dry weather, or 
when there is a slight frost on the ground, it will 
derive much benefit from it. 
Q. -Take notice that the mice do not attack the Peas 
sown last month, which they often do about the 
time they are coming up. Dig any vacant ground 
where Carrots or other roots have been removed. 
Ridging is better than digging on stiff soils. Beet 
may remain in the ground until wanted. 
h- -Take care and house some Turnips before severe 
weather renders the job difficult. Lettuce, too, 
might be taken up with a ball, and planted thickly, 
in some place under cover, where it will keep for 
some time fit for use. Endive may be treated so 
likewise. Blanch the latter, either by tying up or 
laying something over it, as a saucer, pan, tile, or 
anything that will exclude the light. 
