THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
397 
September 26.] 
exception of taking off tbe layers of carnations as fast 
as they root, there is nothing but what we have already 
alluded to. We beg of our friends to look back for three 
or four numbers and see that preparations are going on 
to make the beds ready for tulips, hyacinths , ranunculuses, 
and anemones, as the time for planting is fast approach¬ 
ing. Pink pipings may yet be ])lanted in their bloom¬ 
ing beds, if not already done; but do not delay this 
work longer than the end of the month. 
T. Appleby. 
THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. 
Cabbage.— The main early spring crop, as before 
recommended, should now bo planted on soil, well pre¬ 
pared by the application of good manure, trenching, 
and forming the ground into sloping banks. Sturdy and 
even-sized plants should be selected from the beds first 
pricked out, taking care to take them up with a trowel 
or small hand-fork, so that tho fibrous roots may not, 
to any extent, be injured. As the late crops of peas, 
kidney-beans, &c., are cleared, lose no time in forming 
sloping banks for pricking out plenty of cabbage-plants, 
to stand the winter, as well as cauliflowers, lettuce, 
endive, &c. 
Rhubarb, so useful for tarts, &c., through the winter 
aud early spring months, may easily be obtained by 
almost every cottager who can procure a few roots of 
any early variety, and who has a cellar, a warm fuel- 
house, or any other warm corner, with the aid of an old 
butter firkin, with a few gimlet holes bored through the 
end to afford drainage; or an old water pail, deep pan, 
or rough box of any kind, or even a few rough boards to 
nail together for the purpose. Any kind of garden soil 
would do put in about the roots. In the after-manage¬ 
ment the principal point to attend to is, always when 
requiring water, to be particular in applying it pretty 
warm; and if the crowns of the plants are covered over 
with a piece of flannel, or any other warm article, until 
they have fairly started into growth, it will forward the 
production of the rhubarb considerably. 
Sea-kale, so much esteemed when well produced, 
may also he obtained at a very little expense through 
the late autumn and winter months by a similar con¬ 
trivance; and any one who has a dark warm cellar, or 
other dark room or passage, may, by procuring some 
strong roots, obtain several cuttings from the same 
plants, during the short days of the winter season, from 
late autumn till early spring. Those who have large 
gardens generally have a large piece of sea-kale; and 
the custom usually is, to cover a piece at a time with 
blanching pots, covered to a sufficient thickness with 
fermenting materials, for tho purpose of commanding 
heat enough to start it into growth, which it is almost 
impossible at an early season to do with sufficient regu¬ 
larity so as to insure a sturdy well-blanclied growth, on 
account of the drenching rains, snow storms, and 
searching winds which commonly occur. Indeed, if 
obtained at all by such means, it requires much labour 
and watching—covering the tops with dry materials, and 
protecting the sides with thatched hurdles, &c., all of 
which augments the labour and expense, to say nothing 
of the time and care required in frosty, windy, or cold 
weather, in searching to cut what is ready for table, and 
thus exposing the plants to sudden checks, and after all \ 
the trouble and expense, the sea-kale cannot be pro¬ 
duced either in quantity or quality through the months 
ot November, December, and January, equal to that 
which may be produced as above directed. 
Winter Spinach should have its final thinning, if 
not already done ; and encouragement should be given 
for its healthy growth by frequent surface-stirrings. 
Cauliflowers. —Advancing crops should be liberally I 
supplied with manured water, as well as any other kinds i 
of Rrocoli that may be near heading-in; and attend, I 
also, to the turning a few of the larger leaves down over | 
the young heads, particularly on any frosty-looking j 
evening, for the merely doing this will protect the young 
heads from quite a sharp frost. Attend to the earth stir¬ 
ring also of the Cauliflower plants; remember, too, that 
a good open quarter will be wanted towards the middle 
of next month, for finally planting out the hand-glass 
crop to stand the winter. This may be trenched-up at 
least two feet deep, and well manured in readiness; the 
quarters from which the hand-glass crops of Cucumbers 
are cleared, are generally considered an excellent situa¬ 
tion for the winter crops of Cauliflowers. 
Asparagus-beds. —Where the stalks and seed are ripe 
they may be cut down close to the ground ; but should 
seeds be required, collect them first, aud put them away 
in a dry place for the present, as they may be washed 
out on any wet day during the winter months, and the 
stems may be all tied up in moderate sized bundles for 
some purpose or other, and put away in a tidy man¬ 
ner, until, perhaps, wanted for coverings or protection. 
Should there be any weeds to be seen when the stems 
are all cut off, let them all be hoed up lightly on 
a nice dry day and raked off; all such refuse may he 
put upon another quarter, to be trenched or dug in, and 
then let the beds be carefully forked up, and give them 
a good coat of manure regularly all over the beds. 
Fork up tho alleys without injury to any of the roots 
that may have strayed out in them ; then, for the sake 
of neatness, set down a line to form out the alleys, by 
just making up the edges, and neatly chop them out, 
throwing up any crumbs from the alleys upon the beds 
over the manure, aud the work will be completed and all 
tidy for some months to come. 
Routine Work : Onions. —Pull up, dry-off well, and 
store away. Carrots. —Attend to thinning-out and 
earth stirring, and taking up the main crops for winter 
store. 
Cucumbers now preparing for winter use should be 
kept liberally aired, keeping up as hardy a growth as 
possible. Cut away all flower stems and decayed leaves 
from the artichokes, hoeing and clearing away all weeds 
from among them, and giving them a good mulching 
with such materials as an old mushroom bed; let them 
be well heaped up, aud a little earth thrown over to keep 
all up snug together round each crown. Celery earth 
up and attend to. Endive plant out and tie up for 
blanching. Lettuces, earth-stir amongst them, and prick 
out and tie up the full-grown ones for use. Spinach and 
Turnips thin out. Potatoes take up, selecting the best 
for winter store, the middle sized for seed, and the refuse 
for the pigs. James Barnes and T. Weaver 
