One of the most important operations at this season, and one of great influence on the productive capabilities of the soil, is turning over the surface roughly, to expose it to the ameliorating and disintegrating action of the weather. While freezing, the contained water expands and separates the earthy particles, and a gradual crumbling and granulation takes place during the thawing process, and a friability is produced which is not attainable by any other means. By proper foresight, the labors of spring may also be lessened by this operation. For example, the ground set apart for early potatoes may be thrown up in ridges and thus left exposed all winter. When planting season arrives, the space between the ridges may be straightened with a hoe and the seed put in, covering it by levelling down the ridges; crops so treated will mature much earlier than by the usual method of sowing in the newly turned up cold soil, and can be put down from one to two weeks earlier in the season. Cauliflower, lettuce, and other plants in frames should be kept dry, especially in frosty weather, at all times protected from heavy rains; during snow storms they may remain covered up for several days, taking care to expose them gradually to sunshine afterwards.