1869.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 115 



ing on, and to draw the drills and cover them in as the "work pro- 

 gresses. This is the case in low-lying localities, and where the soil 

 is of 'a heavy tenacious nature. Covering small seeds deeply is an 

 evil to be guarded against. The greater care taken with sowing and 

 planting, the cultivator is the more likely to be rewarded by success. 

 About the middle of the month is a good time to sow on a dry border 

 a pinch of Brussels Sprouts, Savoy, Kale, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Snow's 

 Broccoli, and Granger's autumn Broccoli seed. Beds can be prepared 

 by making a smooth surface, treading out alleys every 4 or 5 feet apart, 

 and sprinkling the seed over the surface, then slightly covering it with 

 a little earth from the alleys, finishing with a rake, leaving each kind 

 correctly labelled. We, however, prefer drills, drawn 9 inches or 1 

 foot apart, and sowing the seed thinly in them. When the plants 

 come up, they are not so readily drawn up weakly. But it is of great 

 importance to their wellbeing if time can be afforded to prick them 

 out a few inches apart, to keep them sturdy till planted out finally. 

 We always make two or three sowings of the above. Though the 

 latest are often weakly plants, they are useful to plant up space as it 

 becomes vacant ; and where failures were frequent in many places last 

 season, late-sown Kale was of great value for '' filling up." Cauli- 

 flower in handlights should now have extra plants taken out, with all 

 the roots and soil they can carry, and be planted in well- prepared 

 ground, sticking a few Evergreens round each plant to break cutting 

 winds. Placing flower-pots over the plants at night is often practised 

 with good results. The plants left under the handlights should have 

 the soil well stirred among them, and any decaying leaves and weeds 

 cleared away ; and a little rotten manure, placed over the surface, will 

 be of great service. The lights may be turned round or taken off in 

 mild weather. With a little attention given to airing and shutting up be- 

 fore the sun is quite off, the plants will make rapid progress and come 

 in early. When good Cauliflower is so much valued. Cauliflower plants 

 may be planted out from frames 2 feet apart. Those who found time 

 to pot them will now have little difiiculty in planting out. Sudden 

 checks must be guarded against, as premature hearting would be the 

 result. Carrots for drawing young may be sown on a warm border and 

 covered slightly with sandy soil. Parsley for a main supply may be 

 sown round the edges of breaks, or for forming the edges of narrow 

 paths, thus taking up little valuable ground. A pinch sown thinly on 

 an early sheltered spot may be of service where the old crops may go 

 quickly to seed. Onions may be sown as soon as possible, covering 

 the seed thinly and treading firmly afterwards, as advised last month. 

 Leeks may be sown in a bed for transplanting, when they can be 

 handled properly. They may also be sown in a trench, to be earthed 



