Where forcing of vegetables is a matter of importance, the work in this department will soon become general. We never could see much to boast of by having a mere item of any class of forced produce for the sake of saying that such had been on the table. Those who have good Seakale and Rhubarb at Christmas are perhaps the wisest so far as economy is concerned. In places where there is abundance of means, it is merely a work of labour to get plenty of Asparagus, Seakale, Rhubarb, Chicory, Mushrooms, young Carrots, forced Potatoes in pots or planted out in pits, Radishes, and French Beans. French Beans are more difficult to supply in January than now. Those planted out in frames and pits, and protected from severe weather, may not be out of bearing yet; but where fire-heat cannot be applied to keep out damp, it is a difficult matter to keep them fruiting after November sets in. Those who have preserved quantities in salt are best off; and much labour, expense, and anxiety are avoided. Where there are means to grow French Beans they may be started at once in small pots - size is not very important - with three to rive beans in each, and allowed to grow a few inches high in a heat of 55° to 60° (more with sun), with due proportions of air and plenty of light; and potted into 7-inch pots or a size larger, they will do well, and make an excellent change with other vegetables during winter.

Every two or three weeks a number of pots may be started as succession crops. When placed on warm tan or leaves (in which soot and lime have been mixed to eradicate slugs), they grow freely, and are not so liable to thrip or red-spider. When in flower, much care is necessary to get them to set freely. Sion House, Osborns, Williams, and Newington Wonder, are among the most productive kinds which we know of. Asparagus may be lifted carefully and placed thickly together on a bed of warm leaves; cover with a few inches of light soil, water with tepid water, keep close till it is well up, and give air as it increases in size. Beware of too much heat to burn the roots, and if kept too warm and close overhead the produce will be tasteless. Seakale, where early ripened and ready for forcing, may be started at any time. A quantity of roots dug up carefully and placed in darkness anywhere, with a temperature of 55° to G5°, will start and come into use in good time. Pots placed over crowns in the old-fashioned way, with warm leaves and litter, answer well for bringing it forward. Some like Seakale forced in this way so much, that they will allow no other method to be put into practice for forcing it. Overheating of the forcing material must be guarded against.

Rhubarb may be forced anywhere; it requires no blanching, and may be brought forward by the aid of a box placed in a kitchen or cellar. In vineries, under stages of plant-houses, manure-heated frames, and pits, are some of the means applied to force this useful esculent. Chicory is forced similar to Seakale, but requiring little heat: it must be well blanched. Mushrooms should be plentiful now where there are means to grow them. Horse - manure partially dried and beaten firmly into a bed about a foot deep, spawned, and covered with loam about 2 inches thick over the surface, will give good mushrooms in the course of a month or six weeks. When the bed shows signs of dryness, water moderately with tepid water. Mushrooms do best in an even temperature from 50° to 60°, but we have known them do well in a temperature down often from 35° to 40° at night. Young Carrots sown in September will soon be fit to draw. Thin them out as they are required for use. Those in the borders may have ashes or old tan placed among them, leaving the tops standing clear. A frame with a gentle bottom-heat, on which has been placed 6 or 8 inches of soil, may be sown with Short Horn or Early Nantes. The seed may be sprinkled in drills in the usual way, and covered with fine soil.

Potatoes, early ripened, may be placed in heat on moss turves, in boxes on soil, or otherwise, to sprout for early planting. A gentle bottom-heat (say 55° or less), over which is placed some good soil (turfy loam and leaf-mould answers well), and the tubers which have been well matured, planted, and covered lightly at first, may turn in well early in the season. They require all the light and air possible, frost and rain only being excluded; tubers, placed singly in 7 or 8 inch pots, half filled with soil, may be put on the way to grow. They (the pots) may be earthed up with soil as the Potato - tops make progress. Potatoes planted in July to give "new" tubers may be protected with a frame to keep the tops growing as long as they are of use to the tubers. When they are killed down suddenly by frost, the Potatoes are watery and tasteless. There is a false value put on many items of this character, which is unwarrantable. Peas in frames and pits, whether planted out or in pots, require all the air possible; to attempt to drive them forward with much heat is simply labour in vain. Radishes grow easily in light soil, placed over gentle warmth, under the protection of a frame; they do not stand much forcing.

Lettuce and Endive may be carefully lifted with good roots, and placed thickly into pits ready for use. Endive may be kept close and shaded with mats to blanch it : slates or boards placed over it answer the purpose fairly. Frames in which are young Cauliflower for early use may have abundance of air and light; drenching rain should be kept out. Plants under hand-lights on ridges must not be coddled, otherwise failure may be expected. Tomatoes in pots, or planted out, must be kept near the glass, allowed to bear moderately, and when in full fruit, with plenty of roots in the pots, liquid manure may be given clear and pure. Mustard and Cress may be sown in boxes as often as required; two or three successions ought to be on the way; give plenty of air when the produce is getting ready for use. Thread Onions are grown in a similar manner, but they will not stand heat when they are well through the soil. We need hardly add that forcing of all kinds of vegetables should be treated according to nature as much as possible, except those which are blanched, and they will not be good if grown in an impure atmosphere.

Digging and trenching up vacant ground to the action of frost may be done as circumstances will allow, but in well - appointed gardens there is little vacant ground at this season. In old gardens a little subsoil brought to the surface and mixed with the old well - manured soil, may be of great benefit in giving fresh life to the ground; light sandy soil brought up among strong clay land is very useful in freshening it, and the same with heavy soil brought to a light surface. Manure may be wheeled where required, laid in ridges, and covered with soil till it is used, which saves its virtues, and prevents unsightliness in the garden. Asparagus not already cleaned and dressed for the winter may have attention as early as possible. Peas and Beans may be sown on warm borders. The seed sown on the surface, in rows, and covered with fine soil, is a good plan; but on damp cold soil this practice seldom succeeds. The use of frames for protection of February and March sowings suits most places. Protect Artichokes with litter round the collars of the plants. Coal-ashes answers the purpose by throwing off damp and excluding frost. Have litter in readiness to protect Celery, if severe weather should set in; damp harboured among the plants rots them quickly.

The covering of litter should not remain on the Celery after a thaw sets in. Cauliflower and Broccoli turning in may be lifted to pits, outhouses, or sheds, to save them from severe frost. Broccoli growing strong and long in the stocks, may be heeled over with the heads to the north. Some have much confidence in this old practice, others have none; on very wet heavy land we do not think the practice very satisfactory. Spinach and Turnips may be further thinned if they require it. Keep them free of weeds, and have the surface of the soil well hoed when weather is dry. Repairing of walks, where such exist, may have attention, and fresh gravel given where it is required. Draining may have attention. Turning of manure heaps, collecting soil and leaves, may be labour well spent. Repair or re-plant Box edgings where necessary. All renovations may be advanced at this season when weather will allow.

Renew herb ground, if required, by trenching and replanting the roots. Lift Mint, Taragon, and other herbs for forcing if wanted. Seeds may be looked over and cleaned during inclement weather, and roots examined. Have a store of roots in reserve against frosty weather.

M. T.