Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-10-03

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Ftrmers' wives and daughters sre al fs4h OF
nowtrs, al d like 30 have their gardens nng with
them In the summer. One of the annoysnce'
connected with flower growing Is the difficnlty
II no; the tnpossbility, of saving them over the
wnnr. As rule, the cellars in the west are
too amp and close for winteripg anything sue
fiov ers are dispensed with, on account of the
cost of buying them fresh each spring. They
are obliged TO content themselves with such an
nuals as they may be able 70 preserve, or such
bulbs as they may be able to winter In sand
A simple frame, capable Of accommodating
tlrte or tour hotbed sash, or, say, from nine 70
twelve feet long, will be ample to winter a
lsrge number OF plants. The dryest portion of
the garGen should be selected and the earth ex-
tavatsd TO 3 depth OF not less than four feet
tie sides protected with lumber, q common hot
lei frame placed thereon, thorou ghIy banked
mp to prevent access TO air, and protected with
warm horse manure. Let the inclination be
about eighteen inches from front to rear, put
on the sash, fitting them rs tight rs possible.
In such simple structure, tender plants,
such az would inevitably be killed during our
mildsst .inters, may here be safely protected
Al light expense. Among them may be mem
tioned:-Tendel roses, the orange, lemon, ng,
saivias, geraRiums, aZaleas, pelargoniums,
ageratums, etc and, OF succulent plants, YER
nignonette, etc. The taller plants should be
placed next the back and the shorter ones in
front. 1t must be remembered that the plants
must have plenty of room so they do not come
too near the glass, else they would inevitably
freeze. However good practice il may be to
Keep plants near the gil ass, during the season of
growth, the reverse Is required during the time
The only thing you require is to keep this pit
as cold aud equal in temperature, without ac-
tually freezing. "a possible, giving light aud air
whenever the temperature will sll0w, and vet
neither light and warmth enough to force them
into renewed growth. The necessary warmth
may be easily obtained by means of straw mats,
suppleme nted with a covering OF slough hay or
straw, in extreme weather, from one to two feet
thick, as occasion may require.
One of the most important things to be re-
memtered in this connection Is the necessity OF
so placing the bed that 1t shall be thoroughly
protected from the wind; for, when there is q
strong draught, it will require two or three
slight draught; indeed 1t is exceedingly difficult
to keep plants in pts, at times, unless the force
Of the winds be broken by tight board fence,
or, better, tight hedge.
Half hardy plants, or those that do not require
thorough protection, NAV be saved in much more
shallow aDd simple pits than those we have de-
scribed; but in no case must the tops of the
plants be nearer than foot or eighteen inches
from the glass; but, In any case, il is essential
that the joints, not only of the frame. but also
the divisions between the glass, and the bear
ings between the glass and frame be as nearly
tight as possible.
Where the structure is to be permanent and
material is cheap, 1t would be better that the
pit be bricked up, and, if the wall were made
hollow, go much the better; but, in lieu OF this,
II may be walled with small logs, jointed and
notched together, or made of two inch plsnks,
There is another subject that comes up prop
eIly here, and that is, the forcing of winter
vegetables. In doubie-waiied pit, or one
made of plank sunk thirty inches below the sur
face and the dead space between the outside
and inside walla, which should be about nine
inches, filled with tan bark, or other non-cOn-
Quoting material, lettuce, radish, parsley, mint.
Pepper grass, green onion and other salad
plants may be successfully grown all winter.
So, If lettuce be sOwn in October, and trans
planted as occasion requires, the last time SIX
inches apart, handsome large heads for
the table may be cut in January and
thereafter a succession kept up until IL
can be raised in the open air; and so with
other plants. This winter gardening, once
learned, is pleasant and profitable. 1t will re-
quire the bottom heat to be of well-tempered
beating manure about two feet thick, and if
properly managed, 1t will not want rene wing
more than twice during the winter. IL the bed
Is made fresh when the plants are pricked ont
the last time, or when two inches high, the bed
will mature the crop. When cut, 1t must be re-
newed, and later in the winter the beds may be
made for early cabbage. cauliflower, celery,
tomato, eggplant, cucumbers, melons, &c, for
tTansplanting into the open ground Western
Rural,