T 8 7 o.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 357 



HINTS FOR AMATEURS-AUGUST. 

 Where attention has been given to close cropping, every part of the 

 vegetable garden will be well filled up, and the produce in great 

 abundance. While we advocate "profusion," we have no sympathy 

 with "confusion." It is necessary that space for winter Spinach, 

 Onions, and Cabbage should be left, or provided by lifting Potatoes 

 or trenching down Strawberries which are done with. Open, deep 

 ground, free from rank manure, suits Spinach well : it often dies off 

 at the necks when manure is fresh and near the surface. When sow- 

 ing is to be done, the ground should be well watered beforehand if 

 necessary, and the seeds not allowed to lie exposed long in the sun 

 before they are covered up. Lettuce should be sown to stand the 

 winter from the beginning to the third week of the month. The 

 further north the position the earlier should be the sowing. Brown 

 Coss, Hardy Hammersmith, and Brown Dutch are suitable for winter 

 work. Lettuce (fit for use) should be in abundance now ; and to do 

 justice to that delicious vegetable, plenty of manure-water should be 

 given. Shading is practised by some to get them crisp and sweet ; 

 but when wanted for culinary purposes, less attention is necessary. 

 Sow and plant Endive ; it requires blanching by tying up or placing 

 flower-pots over the plants. Turnips for late work may still be sown 

 in quantities in the south. They will not grow to much in the 

 north after this time, but they should be tried. Cauliflower for pro- 

 tecting may be sown from the beginning to the third week of the 

 month. Any seedlings which are to stand the winter should be 

 made sturdy by being pricked out of the seed-rows before they become 

 drawn up weakly. Globe Artichokes should have flowering stalks 

 taken off as soon as they are unfit for use, and weakly plants may be 

 helped by manure-water. Beans and Peas may be saved for seed if 

 they cannot be used up ; but if not wanted, they should be cleared off 

 at once. Scarlet Runners and French Beans should have the pods taken 

 off before they show fruit, otherwise they will soon be brought to an end. 

 Leeks and Celery will be greatly benefited by plenty of manure-water. 

 They both may be earthed up to blanch them, keeping their hearts clear. 

 Onions well forward may have their necks twisted to ripen them. 

 Strip outer leaves of Parsley and pull out coarse plants, and endea- 

 vour to secure a large supply to stand the winter. A quantity placed 

 where protection can be given may be valuable when ground is frozen 

 or covered with snow. Radish and other salads may be sown for 

 some time to come, but still in small quantities and well watered ; to 

 keep these plentiful and good, much attention is required. Cucum- 

 bers and Melons require attention as formerly advised, keeping decay- 



