1869.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 215 



early and autumn kinds may be sown for succession. Walclieren and 

 Snow's especially will be useful. Cauliflowers should be planted out 

 before they become stunted in the seed-bed. Wood-ashes and soot 

 placed by the roots of each plant in process of planting will help 

 to keep "clubbing" in check. This practice is useful with all such 

 plants. Lettuce may be thinned out, and the best of the thinnings 

 planted on cool ground in a shady position. Sow a good breadth 

 for summer crops, to be likewise thinned. Plenty of manure and well- 

 worked ground are necessary to give crispness to Lettuces. Fill every 

 space that can be spared with Brussels Sprouts, Kale, Savoys, Broccoli, 

 Cabbage, &c. The quantities can only be regulated by the demand 

 for each kind. Plenty of Kale and Brussels Sprouts are of great 

 service when winters are severe. The above, except Cabbage, may all 

 be planted into neatly-drawn drills 2 feet apart, and the same distance 

 in the rows. Cabbage may be planted thickly, and the crop reduced 

 to every alternate plant, using those pulled out for greens in autumn 

 if required. Savoys generally are wide enough apart at 18 inches 

 each way. AVe always make a puddle with a little soot, red -lead, 

 earth, and water, dipping in the roots and stems before planting. This, 

 with a good soaking, is all we require to give them, except plenty of 

 surface-stirring with the hoe. The roots get into the deeply-trenched 

 ground, where drought cannot reach them. Vegetable Marrows, 

 Gourds, Ridge Cucumbers, and Tomatoes, prepared as formerly ad- 

 vised, may be put in their bearing-quarters from the third week in the 

 month to the first week of June. Protection with handlights, &c., 

 after planting, till the plants are growing freely, is of great importance 

 when plenty of fine produce is wanted. In Scotland and north of 

 England Tomatoes require walls for training and fruiting the plants 

 on. The Orangefield does well in pot, and requires no training. We 

 prefer training the free-growing kinds with one stem running like a 

 rope, rubbing ofl* every lateral as it appears, saving the bunches of 

 flowers which appear at every joint. In the southern English counties 

 all the above are grown with as little trouble as Potatoes. Though 

 ridges of manure are thrown up for Cucumbers, and covered with 

 good soil, we have had them do equally well in common borders. A 

 start with warm manure and handlights brings them into bearing 

 quickly. New Zealand Spinach does well in any open piece of ground. 

 A few plants raised in pots and planted out will give a large supply, 

 and saves labour and ground in keeping up supplies of round-leaved 

 Spinach. Keep up a supply of small Salad by sowing small pinches 

 frequently, and giving plenty of water in dry weather. Cucumbers 

 and Melons will now require less attention than they did earlier in the 

 season ; but careful attention, with air and water, is necessary, keeping 



