Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1859-09-02
a. ra1.
From the .4msrican .fgricuiturlst.
Vegetables for next Spring.

While the gardens are filed airh abundance,
and harvest rather than seed time is suggested
by the huge beets, long carrots, aud already
dropping onions, one is apt to forget that even
now, this very September, some of the veg
etable seeds should be soun so Ms 10 have early
green's, cabbaees, onions, etc., next Spring.
Take a look at the early spinach bed, and notice
the fine plants up from seed scattered from the
ripened crop. These plants frequently come
out bright in the Spring, With no care, and
furnish ine supply Of "greens," at time
when he gardener is sowing his ordinary veg
etables. Is is not advisable to trust to this
chance product, but select spot where an
early crop of something has already been gath
cred, spade in good coat of manure, rake off
the bed and SOW with spinach. In one week
the plants will be up and will need hoeiug and
thinning. Upon the approach of cold Winter
weather, cover rather lightly, with straw, leaves
evergreen brush, or salt hsy, aud remove it in
April, when the plants will come out bright and
frhsb, and may be gradually thinned out for the
table. In the vicinity of cities, market gar
deners sow acres of spinach 10 this moath for
sale during the late Fall, Winter, and early
Spring.
Onions may be sown in like manner, during
the latter part of August or early in Septem-
Der. TIE small bulbs will frequently keep over
Winter without covering, but it Is better to
protect them as described for spinach. They
are usually left quite thick till Spring, aud then
'rauspanted, furnishing onions for the table, a
Spring. Garlic. for those who like this vege-
table, may be treated precisely like tho onion.
Ca56dges a1sd CaulifoWers require more pro-
lection TO carry them successfully through the
Winter. Prepare tho bed and SOW, the first of
September. Culuyate and thin out the plants,
so that they will ill all the ground, but not
touch each other. When Winter approaches,
make frame, by mailing boards or planks to-
gether, of the size of tho bed, one foot high on
the front or south side, and two feet high on
the back, with slanting or beveled ends TO COM
pare with The two sides. It is better TO have
several cross Stats upon tho top for shutters, or
sash to slide up and down upon, after the man
ner Of ot-bed frames. When freezing nights
approach, place the frame upon the bed, and
cover with boards, shutters, or hot-beG sash. -
Open them 10 the morning during pleasant mild
days. They should be exposed to the weather
to 5arden for severe frosss. When i, 10 evi-
dent that Winter is setting in in earnest, bank
mp about the sides, stop any crevices, and cover
the top with boards or shutters. If glazed
sash are used, bosrds o. shutters should be laid
over them, as il is now essential to stop both
cold air aud light, leaving the plants to Win
ter in dormant state. Thus preserved, they
will even then probably be frozen, but in th'
absence Of light and sudden changes, the fros
will finally come out so gradually as not to in
jure them. Frequent freezing and tbawiDg il
what destroys outdoor cabbages. Ii covered
as described, when they once get frozen they
remain SO for long time. 1t may be best
when the mercury sinks quite low, to cover will
old mats, straw, or sedge; to further exclud
the cold air, and render them less subject t,
changes Of temperature. During succession
Of mild days in Winter, the covers may be par
sally removed TO air The plants, aud in Sprin,
they should be uncovered at all suitable time
to harden of. When settled weather arrives
say about the first OF May, transplant to th
open grouuds, and you will have cabbages an
eanlifoxers several weeks in advance OF thos
sown in the Spring