"00 THE GARDExNER. [July 



In this position good even beds may often be seen, whereas those 

 in the open are, at the same time, very patchy and poor. Our sea- 

 sons being so variable it is advisable, in the southern districts at 

 all events, to make at least three sowings — the first early in August, 

 the next towards the end of the month, and the last early in Septem- 

 ber. As a rule, the intermediate sowing proves the best, but in 1879 

 the two last sowings were profitless. The round or summer Spinach 

 appears to be quite as hardy as the i)rickly or winter variety ; and 

 where the summer crops of any vegetables are cleared off early, rather 

 than waste seed, or allow land to be idle, I much prefer to sow this 

 Spinach. If the produce is not wanted it can easily be dug in for 

 manure whenever the ground is wanted. Spinach delights in a toler- 

 ably rich soil, and to stand the winter should be sown in drills 15 

 inches apart, and thinned lightly in the first instance, and at the 

 second thinning (using the thinnings) to about 9 or 10 inches asunder. 



Leeks, I should imagine, are most valued in the northern districts ; 

 but the past severe winter will have converted many southerners into 

 Leek admirers. In many instances Leeks were the only " bit of 

 green" left in the garden, thus demonstrating their value as a hardy 

 vegetable by no means to be despised when served up as a "vegetable." 

 Where but few have been grown previously, they will, if the lesson 

 has not been taught in vain, be grown extensively, even if it be at the 

 expense of a breadth of the uncertain Broccoli. If extra fine Leeks 

 are required they may be grown in a manner similar to Celery ; but 

 they can be had good enough for ordinary purposes from well-manured 

 deeply-dug ground. They succeed admirably on an east border, and 

 may be planted according as the early Turnips are cleared off this site. 

 The young plants should be carefully lifted from the seed-bed with a 

 fork, and may be either dug in in lines across the border — as Potatoes 

 are sometimes planted, freely working in the manure at the bottom 

 of the trenches — or, what is a better plan, be dibbled in. The rows in 

 this case may run lengthways of the border and about 18 inches apart, 

 and the holes made with a blunt dibble, about 9 inches asunder, 6 

 inches deep, and 3 to 4 inches in diameter ; the Leeks to be dropped 

 into these holes, working in only just sufficient soil to cover the roots. 

 Unless the soil be rather stifi", no further moulding up will be required, 

 otherwise a little fine soil should, as the plants develop, be worked in. 

 One good watering to fix the plants is all that is usually administered. 

 I have also grown excellent Broccoli, Savoys, and Coleworts on east 

 borders. They were planted after early Turnips, without redigging 

 the ground. 



A few early White Tripoli Onions fully deserve a place on a south 

 border. The ground for these should be heavily manured, deeply dug, 

 and afterwards trodden firm. Early in August is a good time to sow 

 the seed, and the drills may be 12 inches apart. The seedlings when 

 large enough to handle, should, if at all crowded, be thinned out 



