1872. ] 
KITCHEN GARDENING FOE DECEMBER. 
277 
necessity for too much fire-heat, which in the absence of solar light weakens the 
plants. If the early Vines were started in October as recommended, they will 
now be breaking ; remove at once all the weak shoots, and such as are not 
wanted, and tie in those retained as soon as they are long enough to require it; 
maintain a temperature of from 60° to 65° at night, and 70° to 75° during the 
day, with an increase by sun-heat; give air freely when the state of the weather 
permits, and always as early in the forenoon as possible; avoid too moist an 
atmosphere at this season. Keep inside borders well watered, and see that there is 
sufficient fermenting material on outside borders to keep up a nice heat. Keep 
the late Vineries as dry as possible, without using too much fire-heat; look over the 
bunches frequently and cut out all decaying berries. To have ripe Peaches in May 
the early house should be started now ; commence with a temperature of from 
40° to 45° at night, and 55° to 60° by day, with an increase by sun-heat; 
maintain a moist atmosphere ; syringe the tree two or three times daily ; exclude 
frost from late houses, and dress and tie trees in bad weather. This is a good 
time to shift Figs in tubs and pots ; use a compost of turfy loam and rotten 
dung, and press the soil firmly in potting ; keep sufficient fire-heat to exclude 
frost. Introduce the first batch of Strawberries for forcing into a vinery at 
work ; keep them near the glass, and let them have all the air possible.— 
M. Saul, Stourton. 
KITCHEN GAKDENING FOE DECEMBER. 
S the long continuance of wet weather has made vegetables more than 
usually susceptible of injury from cold, the protection of everything 
likely to suffer from frost should now be attended to without delay. 
See that there is a sufficient quantity of Parsley protected. Cover Celery 
in frosty weather with dry litter. If not already done, Cauliflowers that are 
heading should be lifted, and planted close together in a pit or frame ; Endive 
and Lettuce should also be lifted, and planted in frames. Cauliflower plants 
under hand-glasses should have plenty of air in mild weather. Remove dead 
leaves from Brussels Sprouts and Broccoli. If not already done, Spring Broccoli 
should be laid with the heads inclining to the north. Take advantage of a fine 
day to run the hoe amongst young crops of Lettuce, Onions, Spinach , &c. Sow 
some Peas and Broad Beans on warm sheltered borders. When the Peas sown 
last month are up, a little soil should be drawn up on either side of the rows, 
and either quick-lime or ashes strewn over them ; and in frosty weather some 
evergreen branches should be stuck on either side of the rows. Cover up 
more Seakale and Rhubarb with pots and fermenting material, to force for suc¬ 
cession. Take advantage of frosty weather to wheel Manure to those parts of 
the garden where it is wanted. Spare no labour now to get the ground in 
proper order for the coming spring, by manuring and digging, trenching, or 
ridging. It should now be decided what crops are to occupy the principal 
quarters next season, that the ground may be treated accordingly. Clean and 
