Preserving of Cauliflower during Winter.
It is found that this vegetable may be kept in per fection over winter by very simple means. Cauli flowers which have been planted out in July, will be nearly ready for use in October. Towards the end of that month, the most compact and best shaped are selected, and lifted carefully with the spade, keeping a ball of earth attached to the roots. Where there are peach-houses or vineries, the plants are ar ranged in the borders of these, closely together, but without touching. Some of the large outside leaves are removed, in order that the plants may occupy less room, and at the same time any points of leaves that immediately overhang the flower (or eatable part) are cut off. Such houses, however, are gene rally kept not only without fire-heat, but as cold as possible, during the first part of winter : in time of frost, therefore, it is necessary to cover the cauli flower plants with mats and straw. Another mode consists in placing the cauliflower raised with balls of earth as before, in hot-bed frames, as closely together as possible, without touching. In mild dry weather, the glass-frames are drawn off; but they are kept carefully closed during rain ; and when se vere frost occurs, they are thickly covered with mats. If the plants be occasionally cleared of decayed leaves, they will continue, in this way, in excellent state for several months, instead of becoming yellow and ill-flavoured, as they generally do when placed in sheds or cellars, where air and light cannot ocee. &lousily be given.
Keeping of Vegetables, 80. in the Ice-house.
The Ice-house is generally under the care of the gardener ; and where it is placed near the garden, it is found useful for several subsidiary purposes, and particularly for preserving esculent roots, and like.
wise celery, during winter, in recesses contrived for the purpose. Where parsnips and beet-roots are left in the ground over winter, they must be lifted at the approach of spring, as they become tough and woody whenever there is a tendency to form a flower-stalk. These roots may, therefore, at this season, be placed in the ice-house, and preserved there for a consider able time in excellent order. The ice-house is equal-. ly useful in this respect during the summer season: in hot weather, various kinds of vegetables, for in stance green peas and kidney beans, can be kept fresh in it for several days.—In order to avoid intro. during the subject again, another use may here be mentioned: fruits gathered in the morning, which is the most proper time for gathering them, are here kept cool, and with all their freshness and flavour, until required for the dessert in the afternoon. Se. veral icehouses, excellently adapted not only for the main purpose, but for these secondary views, which nowise interfere with the other, have lately been constructed in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, under the directions of Mr Hay, planner of gardens, particularly at Dalmeny Park and Dundas Castle. These ice-houses have double walls a passage being left between the outer and inner. In the thick wall immediately inclosing the ice are four recesses, with stone shelves for receiving the vegetables or fruits. In the outer wall the same object is provided for. The roof, it may be added, is arched with stone, and has a hole at the top for introducing the ice. The passage between the two walls is likewise arched, and has two or three small grated apertures, which may be closed with fitted stones, or opened for the purpose of admitting light and air when wanted.