308 THE GARDENER. [July 



cially Broccolis, wliicli are expected to stand a severe winter, are safest 

 when the growth is sturdy and only medium. And ground which 

 is light and rich, and in good condition by having been well worked 

 for other crops, may be cleared off and planted without turning it over. 

 We have seen excellent Kale and Broccoli produced by this treatment. 

 We have often practised this after Winter Spinach with good results ; 

 and some plant their Broccoli after Strawberries, only clearing the 

 ground, and some time afterwards the whole surface is forked over, 

 and manure applied if necessary. This is said to be a sure way of 

 escaping " clubbing." But in old heavily-manured gardens we would 

 use every means to keep grubs, &c., in check by using lime-water freely. 

 While speaking of not breaking up ground at this season, we heard 

 the other day from a nobleman's gardener that he had seen excellent 

 crops of Winter Spinach grown on ground only cleared of weeds and 

 the previous crop, the drills drawn, and the seed sown in the usual 

 way. We recommend this '' hint " to many who are never able to 

 secure a crop of Winter Spinach. This vegetable often dies off at the 

 neck, which may sometimes be attributed to rank manure being used 

 immediately before planting. Our system of growing this useful vege- 

 table is to trench deeply a piece of ground after Strawberries or Po- 

 tatoes, using no manure except a little soot turned into the surface ; 

 and we find no difficulty in securing fine crops. We sow three times 

 between the end of July and first week of September. In the south 

 good Pease may be sown from the beginning to the middle of the month. 

 Early kinds are most suitable. Little Gem, or some other early dwarf 

 kind, may be sown on an early spot where it can be protected with 

 hoops and mats in autumn. Early frost, succeeded by cold rains, puts 

 an end to Pease in the midst of their bearing, while dwarf kinds pro- 

 tected may be kept on for some time. Stake growing crops before 

 they fall over at the necks; and if the ground is poor and light, mulch- 

 ing and good soakings of manure-water should be liberally supplied, 

 otherwise mildew and short supj)lies of good Pease may be expected. 

 Strong-growing kinds should be topped if growing too freely. Celery 

 which has been planted out for some time will take almost any quantity 

 of water, but thorough soakings at longer intervals are preferable to fre- 

 quent dribblings. Lettuce, American and Golden Cress, Piadish, and 

 Endive seed may be sown for autumn supply. Cool, well-moistened 

 ground suits best, and often prevents the crops going to seed as soon 

 as they come through the ground. Scarlet and French Beans should 

 have the pods picked off before they show the seeds in them. Atten- 

 tion to this and plenty of water will keep up a supply much longer ; 

 but frequently sowing a small piece gives the least trouble, only ground 

 cannot be spared in every garden. Xow is a good time to sow a late 



