Artichokes, Globe

These should be amply protected against frost by first of all cutting off the leaves to within a foot of the ground, and then covering them with dry litter of some kind on each side of the rows, but not so as to shut out light and air from the hearts.

Asparagus

The beds should be cleared at once, by cutting down the seed-stems close to the ground, hoeing up and raking off the weeds, and mulching the surface with well-rotted stable dung. Those who wish to force a few roots may do so by planting them in a cucumber frame, the heat of which is now exhausted. For this purpose select four-year-old roots, take them up with care, and plant them close together, covering them with about six inches of light soil. By applying linings of well-prepared dung round the outside of the frame, a genial heat will be communicated to the roots, and cause the shoots to grow slowly, but strong. As soon as the shoots make their appearance, administer air daily in favourable weather, with a view to insuring a healthy green colour, and imparting a rich flavour. If treated as above they will be ready for cutting in three weeks at the latest.

Beans, Broad

A few early Mazagan and long pod may be sown at once, on a dry and warm border, where they can have protection when necessary, for the purpose of insuringan early crop.

Broccoli

Where this has grown vigorously, and was not laid in by the heels as advised last month, if required for late spring use, the plants should be taken up with as much soil about their roots as possible, replanted in a slanting direction, and covered up as directed.

Brussels Sprouts

If the tops have been cut off, as is the usual custom, a week or two before gathering, all you will now have to do is to clear away the dead leaves, but not the green ones, which are useful as a protection to the young side sprouts.

Cabbages

Earth up such as were planted in the autumn, for the purpose of strengthening and protecting them from being loosened by rough winds; and where they are infested by slugs, set traps for them - that is to say, lay cabbage leaves on the ground between the rows, which examine early every morning, and shake the intruders, which will congregate on the under surface of the leaves, into a pail of salt or lime and water.

Cauliflowers

As those producing heads just now are valuable, the plants should be taken up and either planted in a frame, or hung heels upwards in a dry and cool cellar or shed. Those in frames, under hand glasses, or potted singly, must be liberally supplied with fresh air and water in favourable weather, but when it is very fine the lights or glasses may be removed altogether, and only returned at night as a protection against frost, or when it rains hard.

Celery

In dry weather earth up all intended for winter use, to the full extremity of their leaves; and as hard frost, coming after rain, would be sure to destroy this crop, sufficient protection must be given to secure them from injury.

Endive

When these plants in frames are troubled with too great a quantity of moisture, it is a very good plan to distribute a little dry dust carefully amongst them, as a preventive to mildew, mouldiness, and canker; it is also a promoter of vigorous and healthy growth. A few of the most forward in the open ground may be taken up and planted in a cold frame for a supply during bad weather, as, for want of such precaution, many salading plants in an advanced condition are cut off in a few hours by heavy rains or sudden frosts.

Garlic

This may still be planted as opportunity offers, bearing in mind the advice given last month.

Herbs

Clean and dress the beds for the winter, by spreading a few inches of very rotten dung over the surface, which will also help to protect the roots from frost. Sow seed of angelica and carraway in the open border, and increase tarragon by offsets.

Horse-Radish

New plantations may be made as opportunity offers, provided you can spare the ground, and a few good, straight sticks may be taken up for general use.

Mushrooms

Beds out of doors will have to be well protected by an extra thickness of straw, with mats over that, or you will not be able to exclude frost, or keep off wet - both of which are fatal. The bed that was spawned last month, although under cover perhaps, will nevertheless need particular care to prevent the baneful effects of cold, windy, frosty weather, whenever it occurs; and to accomplish this, the covering should be removed once a week, the surface cleared of mouldiness or damp litter, should there be any, and recovered with clean, dry straw.

Peas

A moderate sowing of these may be made on a warm, dry border, for an early supply, for which purpose you cannot select better sorts than Dillktm's Early Prolific, or Laxton's William the First.

Potatoes

Any that have not as yet been lifted, should be taken up as soon as the haulm begins to change colour, well dried in the sun on the ground, and either pitted or laid in a heap in a cool, dry shed or cellar. A few may also be planted on a dry, sandy soil; but it will be useless to attempt to grow them on land of a heavy, damp nature.

Radishes

A few may be sown on a warm border of rich and light soil, where they can have protection in severe weather.

Rhubarb

For the purpose of securing an early supply, a few old stools may be taken up, planted in large pots or boxes, and placed in a hot-bed to force.

Sea-Kale

This may be secured next month by covering the crowns of the plants with a conical-shaped heap of sand or leaf mould, over which inverted flowerpots should be placed, and the spaces between the rows tilled in with stable dung or leaves beaten down firmly and piled up a foot or more above the tops of the pots.

Shallots

No time should be lost in getting these into the ground, in case you omitted to plant them last month, in the same manner as then directed.

Winter Spinach

Keep the soil well loosened about these plants, and do not tread upon the ground more than necessary when gathering the leaves, as it tends to check luxuriant growth, which is so essential to the health of the crop.

Words Of Advice

The time has arrived when it is necessary for us to consider what we have done, and what we are going to do in the future, for the benefit of our garden. It will be well, as a commencement, to make out a list of such seeds as we contemplate sowing next year; the experience of last season will guide us as to those things which succeeded, and those which failed or did badly. As soon as we have settled this point, we may turn our attention to manuring and trenching all unoccupied ground, which may then be laid up in ridges to mellow by frost till wanted. Ground in this rough condition will merely require levelling down and raking over when the time arrives for cropping it.