1870.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 113 



sown towards the end of the month : it requires protection and a little 

 warmth ; dryness, or a check from cold winds, is liable to cause it to 

 run to seed. A hand-light, or small box with a square of glass to slide 

 in it, will raise hundreds ; then they will require pricking out on a 

 surface of manure a few inches thick, made firm, and an inch or two 

 of soil placed over the surface, and the plants allowed 4 inches apart, 

 fastening the roots in the soil with a dibble. Allowing the roots to re- 

 main loose in the soil will result in premature seeding. Shade from 

 strong sun and sharp winds. Leeks for main crop may be sown at 

 once, either on a bed to transplant them from, or where they are to grow. 

 In the latter position the crop has to be thinned out from 8 inches to a 

 foot, the rows being 10 or 12 inches apart. A greater width may be 

 required on extra-rich soil ; earthing-up to blanch the leeks is necessary 

 when they are not transplanted. The thinnings, however, from the 

 main sowing, may be planted in deep holes on highly-manured ground. 

 Lettuce may now be sown in a sheltered position ; also Radishes to be 

 protected. Litter, hoops, and mats often do much in absence of glass, 

 but covering and uncovering daily gives much labour. Onions and 

 Parsnips, if not already sown, should receive attention as early as pos- 

 sible. It is not surprising that the practice so often followed with 

 these crops ends in complete failure. The turning over of ground, 

 and cramming in a quantity of manure just before the seed is sown, is 

 too often labour thrown away. Parsley may now be sown for a full 

 supply. Edgings of it are all very well ; but when the season is very 

 dry, a deep, well-manured border, well cropped with Parsley, is neces- 

 sary where much of it is wanted all the year round. A crop of Peas 

 may be sown, either a first or second early sort ; and if dividing, with- 

 out shading, any of the crops already named, good Peas will be had, 

 and little waste of ground. Where they have been sown in boxes, 

 and are ready to plant out, a favourable day should be chosen, and 

 some kindly soil placed at the roots of the Peas in process of plant- 

 ing, and stake them at once to give shelter. Potatoes may be planted 

 for full crops whenever ground is dry enough. Changing suddenly 

 from warm dry winter-quarters and planting them in cold wet ground, 

 gives a check which often kills the seed. Wide planting for heavy 

 crops of fine tubers is strongly recommended by the most successful 

 growers. Rhubarb should be planted before the crowns are too far 

 grown ; and rare or scarce kinds may be potted in free soil, and planted 

 out when weather is warmer. The latter system we practise more or 

 less every season. W T e force hundreds of roots, and they are weakened, 

 and some of them killed. Dividing the crowns separately, and starting 

 in pots, often secures fine roots, when by ordinary treatment they 

 would perish in the soil. Pieces of Seakale, 4 inches or less long, 



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