128 



miSH GARDENING. 



where a suitable place does exist it is preferable 

 to clamping them in. the open, as the crop can be 

 examined in comfort when other outside work is 

 at a standstill and made more secure against rats 

 with a good saving of labour. A cool shed under 

 a north wall, or one with a fairly equable tem- 

 perature and preferably an earth bottom, will, 

 I think, keep the crop in fine order, with a good 

 thicknei;s on top of straw or mats. A light 

 covering only for the first week or two to exclude 

 light will allow the crop to dry thoroughly. A 

 handful of slacked lime dusted through the heap 

 when storing or turning w'll, by reason of its 

 absorbent qualities, act as a preventive of the 

 spread of disease, and also iuiprove their eating 

 qualities. Seed for next season may be selected 

 at lifting time or sorted later when there is less 

 pressure of work and stored in trays in a light 

 place. 



Onioxs. — From the beginning to the middle of 

 the month a sowing of Tripoli or winter Onions 

 may be made for planting out in the spring. 

 Sow on ground that has been brought down to a 

 good seed bed and made firm in drills one foot 

 apart. A sprinkling of lime or sifted lime rubbish 

 and wood ashes put on and raked down with the 

 soil will be of great benefit. I recently saw a very 

 fine bed of autumn sown Onions that had been 

 treated in every way similarly to spring sown and 

 not sown too thickly were providing excellent 

 material for the kitchen from the thinnings at 

 the same time allo\^ing those to remain for 

 summer use a better chance to mature. It is 

 imperative that only varieties specially suited for 

 autumn sowing be used, otherwise much trouble 

 from bolting will ensue. White Leviathan, though 

 a bad keeper, is frequently grown, also those of 

 the Rocca type. Encourage the growth of spring 

 sown and transplanted Onions by keeping the 

 lines free from weeds and loosening the soil 

 between the rows with the Dutch hoe to prevent 

 the surface from caking and holding the moisture. 

 Shallots, if not already lifted, should be laid out 

 thinly to dry and when properly ripened off 

 stored away. 



Turnips. — Much will depend upon the weather 

 as to which batch will provide the best returns 

 for winter use, but from the middle of the present 

 month until the early part of September a few 

 sowings may be made on good ground and the 

 plants allowed to develop freely by early attention 

 to thinning. A good sprinkling of wood ashes at 

 the time of sowing and a dusting after thinning 

 will greatly assist in the formation of good root. 

 CvARROTS. — Attend to the thinning of latest 

 sown batches and dust freely with soot. Earlier 

 sown ones of the stunap rooted kinds that are not 

 required for immediate consumption should be 

 lifted before the roots split and stored in sand or 

 ashes in a cool shed and used as required. 



Cabbage. — -Make another sowing early in the 

 month to supplement the earliest supplies of a 

 larger variety. 



Tomatoes. — Those growing out of doors should 

 have the point of the leading growth removed, 

 so as to induce the trusses to swell to their best 

 and ripen up. Plants growing under glass must 

 not suffer for want of nourishment if they have 

 space to make further growth. Should there be 

 any trouble with the fruits splitting, as some- 

 times happens, and especially where other plants 



are accommodated in the same structure, pick 

 the fruits when partly coloured and finish off in a 

 box in the fruit room. Shortening back of the 

 leaves where too thick will be an advantage. 



Celery. — Towards the end of the month the 

 earliest row will, in all probability, require a first 

 earthing. In the meantime, encourage the free 

 formation of leaf and stem by plentiful waterings 

 and manurial assistance, and water freely on the 

 eve of moulding. Remove any side growths and 

 yellow or other leaves not required. Run a line 

 down on either side of the row and break up the 

 soil as finely as possible, so that it works freely 

 between the plants. If three men can be spared 

 for this work it will be profitable, one to work 

 backwards and support the plants and hold up 

 the leaves together, and the other two supplying 

 the earth, one on each side. See that the foliage 

 is perfectly dry and avoid over-earthing the 

 plants. 



Vegetable Marrows. — Water freely and 

 assist with sewage water, excepting those 

 growing on rich manure heaps, as this will 

 assist in the formation of fruit. Cut these as soon 

 as large enough, as if allowed to remain and 

 ripen seed seriously taxes the plant. Leaves 

 showing any sign of mildew should be cut off 

 and burnt. 



Spinach. — Towards the end of the month make 

 a sowing of Victoria Spinach to stand the winter. 

 As with Turnips, it is impossible to say which 

 batch will do the best, and sometimes the later 

 sown, well into September, will prove the best. 



Hardy Fruit Garden. 



Raspberries, after fruiting, should have the old 

 canes cut away from the base, and if the young 

 growths made this season are too thick some of 

 these also should l)e removed to allow the remain- 

 ing ones a better chance to ripen. Continue to 

 thin crops of fruit where too thick and assist trees, 

 if possible, by heavy waterings and supplies of 

 manure, failing that keep the ground loosened 

 and apply a light mulch. Grape scissors will be 

 found very useful in thinning plums. Net 

 Morello Cherries as soon as they commence to 

 colour. Peaches and Nectarines will need a final 

 tying and regulating of the growths and before 

 the fruits get too large extra fine colour and 

 quality will be gained if the fruits can be elevated 

 by placing five-inch labels at the back of them 

 and under the growth : also removing an odd leaf 

 or two if heavily shaded. Water freely whilst 

 swelling and feed liberally. Fowl manure is 

 excellent for this purpose. If time can be found 

 many other kinds of fruit may also be improved 

 in quality by similar treatment to the above, 

 especially on cordon trained trees. 



The Flower Garden. 



Cut away the flowering growths of Rambler 

 Roses upoii the completion of flowering, and 

 secure this year's basal growths by loose ties to 

 prevent injury from the wind. Encourage the 

 display of summer bedding by removing dead 

 flowers, and damping of an evening after a hot 

 day, pegging down any plants that require it. 

 Clip Yew hedges and other trained specimens. 



