“BEST BY EVERY TEST” 
141 
Cover the old bed with a few inches of manure, to lay till January, and then fork it in 
with the top soil. 
Transplant Cabbage, if not already done, for Spring heading; also Lettuce on shel¬ 
tered borders, or on the south side of ridges, or into cold frames; they will continue 
growing and form fine heads; and a few sowings of Radish will also prove successful. 
Transplant Rhubarb in rich ground, and early in Spring mulch the ground to retain 
moisture; also to prevent injury from dry weather. Sow Onion seed to transplant in 
February to form bulbs; you will thereby have good roots the first season. Onion Sets 
can still be planted. 
In Louisiana, Texas, Southern Mississippi and Florida, almost every variety of seed 
can now be planted, such as Beet, Cabbage, Lettuce, Carrot, Parsnip, Salsify, Spinach, 
Endive, Radish, Mustard, Peas, etc.; it is also a very favorable month for the sowing of 
Buisr’s Improved Early and Late Flat Dutch and Drumhead Cabbage; also BuisFs 
Florida Header, which will form large and beautiful heads in Spring. Manure for the 
hot-beds should now be looked after in these States for the starting of early vegetable 
plants. 
DECEMBER 
Now is the time to form new and good resolutions for another year’s guidance. If 
your garden affairs have not proved satisfactory, note the difficulty, to insure better suc¬ 
cess another season, as experience is always the best teacher; we can read and listen to 
that of others, but are better satisfied and impressed with our own. Draw out your plans, 
study and reflect over them and improve if possible; when perfected, live and work up to 
them and you will be astonished to see what can be accomplished. ‘‘Going It Blind” is a 
poor and disastrous policy in any business, and especially so in gardening and planting 
operations. Outdoor work this month is necessarily quite limited, but still there are 
some important things'that should be attended to in order to be in readiness for Spring 
operations. The manufacturer, before starting up his mill, invariably overhauls the machin¬ 
ery, to see that all is in working order; so it should be with the gardener and agricul¬ 
turist. Before Spring opens see that everything required is in perfect order. Overhaul 
all tools and implements; see that your fences are secure for another year; arrange 
and clean up your barn and out-buildings; haul manure to the fields where it will be 
required; prepare compost for top-dressing; prune your orchards and fruit trees; trim up 
your hedges; top-dress your Asparagus beds with well-decomposed manure, if not already 
done, to be forked in (do not use a spade) as soon as the frost is gone and the ground 
in good working order. A top-dressing of salt is also of great importance. 
Lawns may be improved by a good top-dressing as soon as the leaves are gathered 
up. Wood ashes, button bone, or any prepared manure is preferable to barnyard or stable 
manure, as the latter generally contains many seeds of weeds. By early covering the 
ground with manure, to prevent its freezing too deep, you will also be able to have your 
trenching and subsoiling done this month. Poles and rods for Beans and Peas should be 
made ready for use. Forcing beds, with growing crops of Lettuce, Radish, etc., will 
require daily attention. Improve your mind by subscribing to some good agricultural 
paper, and supply yourself with a few good works on Agriculture and Horticulture for 
your Winter reading. Make up your seed list for Spring and Summer sowing and order 
them at once from Buist, who will always supply you with the choicest quality and 
growth. Buist’s Garden Seeds are famous for their purity and for the fine quality of 
the vegetables they produce. 
Sow White Marrowfat Peas, as they stand frost and are very productive. Buist’s 
Extra Early Morning Star Peas can be planted end of the month. 
Transplant Bermuda Onions. 
Plant Egg Plant and Peppers in hot-beds. 
Tomato—Sow in hot-bed, or the seed may be sown in shallow boxes and placed in 
a window. Plant BuisFs Earli-Belle and you will have tomatoes ahead of your neigh¬ 
bors. Sow Buist’s Belle, Market Champion, Prize Stone, and Buist’s Monarch for 
general crop. 
