i3 79 - 



CALENDAR. 



339 



practice, and with ourselves a practice 

 which saves all the labour of watering. 

 If the stems, well to the hearts of the 

 plants, are immersed in this, they are 

 likely to. resist the attacks of grubs 

 and snails. A handful of fine ashes 

 mixed with a little lime and soot (guano 

 with the ashes is capital for a double 

 purpose) generally secures the plants 

 against depredators. We can do little 

 to check such vermin without dust- 

 ing the whole surface of the ground 

 under crop. Cracked and baked sur- 

 faces must be carefully guarded against. 

 A'ery firm soil, which has been years 

 under good manipulation and not 

 manured at present, we are strongly 

 in favour of when plants have to stand 

 severe winters in such positions. The 

 past winter has shown us that firm 

 moderate growth is the most desirable 

 in every case. Broccoli being planted 

 out forthwith should not be of gross 

 growth : and they are not safe in very 

 loose rich soils. Get all and sundry 

 of the winter crops out as early as cir- 

 cumstances will allow. Better to 

 transplant thickly for a time on spare 

 ground till the winter-quarters are 

 ready, than to allow the plants to get 

 weakened in the seed rows or beds. 

 When such plants are carefully moved 

 and transplanted at once during August, 

 or even later, a firm growth is secured, 

 which is likely to battle against frost 

 or severe damp. Borecole (Kale) Cab- 

 bage (for Coleworts), Savoys, succes- 

 sion crops of Brussels Sprouts and 

 advanced Cauliflower plants may all 

 be planted without delay. Leeks, 

 Lettuce for autumn, Endive for suc- 

 cessions, Parsley to stand the winter, 

 and Celery in well-manured trenches 

 (single, double, or triple rows in a 

 trench, as preferred), may be planted 

 during the month. It is not so desir- 

 able, as in bygone days, to have large 

 succulent Celery — firm, crisp, nutty- 

 flavoured produce is more preferable. 

 There should be few outside leaves to 

 Celery, but it should be solid and 

 firm. The red kinds, according to our 

 experience last winter, stood much 

 better than the whites ; but some like 

 the latter because of purity of colour : 

 and the dwarf kinds of them are the 

 hardiest. Kinds pricked out to make 

 a last planting for very late supplies 

 should be now growing on a bed of 

 very solid sweet manure, firm, and only 

 a few inches deep. When watering is 



done, let "dribbling " be looked upon 

 as a "destroyer." Manure- water to 

 Celery gives crispness ; and on dry soil 

 applications of moisture is indispen- 

 sable. Mulching is of much service in 

 raising fine Celery. The material for 

 the purpose may be rich short manure. 

 Sowings may be made, as demands re- 

 quire, of Turnips, Carrots (for supplies 

 of young roots), Eadishes (Turnip 

 kinds are now best), and Spinach 

 (round kind), in the shade and between 

 other crops. Peas may be sown in 

 southern districts for a chance crop : 

 dwarf kinds, which can later in the 

 season have protection by frames or 

 "protectors," may be sown in favour- 

 able positions, so may also French 

 Beans. Sow Parsley for winter sup- 

 plies : choose a border where protection 

 may be given during severe weather. 

 Thinnings of Parsley trans2>lanted now 

 and kept well trimmed in till autumn, 

 then allowed to grow, will be stiff and 

 well prepared to stand a w*inter of 

 severe weather. Cabbage is sown by 

 many from beginning to end of month, 

 according to the district's latitude : 

 from the 10th to 25th is a safe period, 

 but by all means we would advise 

 making two sowings : and the smaller 

 portion of the seedlings do well when 

 transplanted to stand the winter. In 

 spring their value is often found out, 

 if only to give to unfortunate neigh- 

 bours, especially of the cottager- class. 

 To great numbers we have often ren- 

 dered assistance from this little aux- 

 iliary. This season, after supplying 

 many, we thinned out the stock on 

 the ground where they stood, and 

 have had a capital succession to the 

 main planting, which has been cut, 

 and now turning in plenty of tender 

 Sprouts, which we find are more valued 

 by many cooks (especially French 

 ones) than hearted-Cabbage. Keep 

 down weeds everywhere by attacking 

 them often, and before they become 

 established. Seeding of weeds alwaj^s 

 increases the amount of labour, and 

 is often of great injury to the crops. 

 Staking and topping of Peas and 

 Runners must not be overlooked : 

 and get all ground filled wich useful 

 crops — as Potatoes, Beans, and Peas 

 are cleared off. 



Cucumbers on ridges require top- 

 ping, thinning, mulching, and training. 

 Gherkins and Vegetable Marrowshould 

 have attention in the same manner 



