THE COTTAGE GAUDENEJt AND COL 
EFFECTS OF A MILD AUTUMN. 
Beneficial in many points of view, as a mild 
autumn usually is, there are cases in which it 
perplexes the gardener. Summer-flowering plants, 
though divested of their flowers hy the rains and 
continuous moisture, are still green, and, to a 
certain extent, ornamental, or thought too good 
to destroy, until the season is too far advanced to 
plant anything in their places with any chanee of 
success. 
A mild autumn, also causes all the Cabbage tribe to 
continue their growth in a succulent tender form ; so 
that they are less able to bear severe weather when it 
sets in, as well as they would do, if they had been 
checked a few times with frost. One of the first to 
feel the effects of sharp frosts succeeding comparatively 
mild weather, are young Cauliflower plants, which, 
being often placed under glass, or other protected 
places, become as delicate and tender as greenhouse 
plants; fortunately it often happens that cold, dry, 
withering winds, precede severe frosts, hardening the 
dants, and gradually inuring them to what is to fol- 
ow. But this is not always the case; and when sharp 
f rosts suddenly set in, after such mild weather as we 
have lately had, plants suffer much ; and to such ex¬ 
tensive crops as that of Brocoli, there is no remedy, 
unless it be that of laying them down, which is a very 
good plan, in cold, bleak situations ; but in the southern 
counties of England it is seldom done, so that the 
plants have to take their chance. Cauliflowers also 
suffer in like manner, only they do so much more when 
they have previously been injudiciously coddled too 
much under glass ; therefore, by all means let them 
have all. the exposure they can, at all times, except 
when it actually rains ; and do not spoil them under 
the plea of trying to increase their size, as they may 
become weak. A small, sturdy plant will endure more 
cold than a gross, large one ; and Cauliflowers often 
stand the winter without any protection at all, and 
become the best plants of the season. But, like most 
delicate plants, they do not like to be transplanted 
too late, those in the seed-bed being much the hardiest. 
Now, in order to harden those planted under hand¬ 
glasses and in frames, it i3 advisable to remove the 
glasses entirely on fine days, so that they may have 
all the side draughts as well as top air, that can be given 
them : this will partly stiffen the leaf-stalks, and also 
harden the leaf and whole plant. Should slugs or 
other enemies attack the plants, take the advantage of 
a dry day, and tread or flatten the ground pretty 
firmly around the plants, and scatter some woocf ashes 
over the space, taking care not to let any get into the 
hearts of the plants; a loose, rough surface, though 
useful and beneficial in the growing season, is often a 
source of evil in winter, by harbouring so many 
enemies, in the shape of slugs, &c.; that I would ad¬ 
vise, the ground on which rows of Peas, Cabbage plants, 
Lettuce, Endive, and other things are planted, to be 
made rather firm than otherwise; and lime, or other 
offensive matter, strewn over it from time to time 
as required. In severe weather this will not be 
wanted, as these enemies of vegetation are not so 
destructive then. 
Where extensive plantations of Lettuces were made 
late in the autumn, the evils of mild weather are very 
serious, and often baffle all the efforts made to save the 
plants. But it is right to try: and when once sharp 
weather sets in, they are more safe than before ; so 
much more destructive does mild weather prove than 
cold. A similar case is often exemplified in that of 
human life. “A Green Christmas makes a fat Church¬ 
yard,” is an old saying, well verified by many recent 
cases ; and though plants suffer from causes widely 
N'TRY GENTLEMAN, December 8, 1857. 145 
different, yet they are brought about by the same 
means. 
In very exposed places, it is prudent to lay all the 
winter Brocoli on their sides; which is done by 
beginning at the west side of a plot, and with a spade 
taking a small spit of earth out on the west side of 
each plant, close to the collar ; then, with the foot press 
the plant down until it leans in that direction, and lav 
the next row over that again, putting the spit of eartfi 
that comes from one plant on the top of the next, to 
keep it down. This plan prevents severe frosts from 
injuring the crown of the plants so much. It is also 
useful as checking undue growth; but, of course, it is 
only applicable to large plants. 
Where cold pits or frames exist in sufficient quan¬ 
tity to shelter Endive, Lettuce, Celery, and other 
things, there is not so much difficulty in furnishing a 
good salad during winter ; but there are many places 
where these useful appendages are not to be found. 
In such cases, homely contrivances of shelter will be 
found both useful and more readily constructed than 
may be thought of. Thatched hurdles will keep out 
much frost as well as wet, and they can easily be re¬ 
moved. Hough litter, loosely scattered over Celery, 
will also protect it in a great measure : only it is proper 
here to observe, than when this article becomes 
thoroughly blanched, no power can keep it very long in 
that condition ; for it may then be said to have arrived 
at that state of ripeness after which all things begin 
to decay ; and their progress that way is hastened, or 
retarded, according to the state of the year, or other 
circumstances ; Celery, therefore, perfectly ripe and 
fit for table in November, will not keep until March ; 
and is the more unlikely to do so if the weather be 
moist and mild. A similar case exists in Endive 
Lettuce, and other things. Onwards, onwards, is the 
order of the day : and whether that progress be in the 
direction of perfection or destruction ; or the one after 
the other; it is one of those infallible laws which 
admit of no exception in their application to vegeta¬ 
tion : only it is our duty to ward off the latter period 
as much as we can by prolonging the former ; with 
which view, Celery for late spring use is not planted so 
early as the other, and does not arrive at that state of 
perfection, which is the turning point of its progress, 
until the season is so far advanced, that its uses have 
been duly acknowledged. 
It is prudent not to let mild weather pass entirely 
away before securing a supply of such vegetables as 
are difficult to obtain in very sharp frosts. Any o dd 
corner will do to lay in a quantity of Horseradish, 
Bed Beet, Parsnip, Jerusalem Artichokes, and Celery ; 
but Lettuces and Endive ought to have fight. Bro- 
colis and Cauliflowers will also keep some time, when 
cut with as much stalk and leaf as possible, and hung 
up in a cool place. Parsley ought to be treated the 
same as Lettuce ; but Spinach ought to be protected 
where it is grown, if it be wanted in midwinter. Bows 
of Peas and Beans, just peeping through the ground, 
will endure much frost without injury; but winter 
Onions, Cabbage, and most other things, are, more or 
less, hurt by its intensity, or when acted on by other 
circumstances. 
Whatever effects the ensuing winter may have on 
vegetation of a herbaceous kind, it is not likely to 
affect trees and shrubs so much as it does sometimes ; 
and, I should think, those growing in dry situations, 
when they had ripened their wood well, would be in 
a position to stand the winter better than usual, 
deciduous trees especially ; but all soft-wooded plants, 
by continuing their growth as late as they are tempted 
to do, will be more likely to perish than usual. Many 
of the ordinary bedding plants still continue to grow ; 
and their progress during the last ten days (this being 
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