1870.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 157 



now be in good order ; a good coating of lime and soot may be useful 

 in keeping grubs in check — the surface well broken and drills drawn a 

 foot or 14 inches apart; on poor sandy soil less will do. A good crop of 

 Carrots in gardens is seldom met with, and the free use of lime used 

 in preparing the ground through the winter, and other means which 

 are sometimes used with success, often amount to more than good 

 Carrots can be bought for in the districts where they grow without 

 any attention whatever. Asparagus may now be sown for keeping up 

 a stock of roots ; light rich soil of a sandy mixture is the best. Arti- 

 chokes, globe, should now be looked over, forking among the plants 

 and breaking over the ground without injuring the roots : suckers, 

 when they can be had, may be planted for late supplies. Jeru- 

 salem Artichokes, if not already planted, may be got in at once, 

 if treated like Potatoes ; keeping them in single rows, and staking up 

 the stems if they get top-heavy, is all they require. When the rows 

 are thickly planted, the produce is much smaller for want of light and 

 air. Broad Beans may again be planted for a succession, if the soil 

 for them is light. Mulching may be of great service as the season 

 advances. Beet will require attention soon ; though it often does well 

 on any soil, the produce is very stringy and tough when grown on 

 shallow indifferent soil. We again repeat that rank manure, newly 

 given to roots of all kinds, is their ruin. Silver Beet makes a useful 

 substitute in winter for Spinach, but it need not be sown for some 

 time. Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, and Lettuces 

 may be sown as formerly advised. Birds and slugs will be great 

 enemies to the young plants as they begin to vegetate. Where Onions 

 are liable to be eaten by grubs, a quantity of last season's bulbs may 

 be planted, dusting them with soot in showery weather. Herbs of all 

 kinds may be sown on a dry sheltered border. Basil will require 

 heat and careful hardening off before being planted on a warm border. 

 Tomatoes, sown in a little warmth and liberally treated, will give a 

 good late supply. If grown in pots of large size, and plunged at the 

 base of a wall or any sunny spot well sheltered from wind, they will 

 produce freely. Large established plants to begin with is of great 

 importance. Radishes and Salads of all kinds require to be sown often 

 at this season ; if watering the seeds is necessary, it should be done 

 in the morning, till the nights are warmer. Quick growth, and no 

 check given, prevents toughness and rank flavour. Rhubarb seed 

 may be sown in a warm position, where the soil is free and dry. If 

 blanched stalks are preferred, pets or boxes may be placed over the 

 crowns, keeping out the most of the air ; it is thus made more tender 

 and juicy. Spinach, round, may be sown between other crops, or 

 bushes if ground is scarce. To have fine large leaves, plenty of rotten 



