The Vegetable Garden. 461 



THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



By Thos. W. Pockett. 



During January, February, and March, preparation has to be 

 made for the autumn and winter supply of vegetables, and owing to 

 the crops maturing so quickly during the hot weather, there is usually 

 plenty of land lying idle at this season. When it is intended to plant 

 cabbage or cauliflower during, say February, this land would be 

 greatly improved if it were now dug deeply, and where practicable a 

 good dressing of manure worked in. When the time for planting 

 arrives it should again be forked or dug, plants will then take root 

 much better, will require less water, and there will be better results 

 generally. 



In the Melbourne district seeds of the following may be sown 

 during January and February : — Brussells Sprouts ; Cabbage, summer 

 varieties, such as St. John's Day, to be followed with winter varieties, 

 such as Savoy, Enfield Market, &c. ; Cauliflower, starting with early 

 sorts, to be followed by Chandler's Mammoth, or other late kinds. 

 A supply is then assured from, say April, until July. The plants 

 should always be watered before taking them from the seed beds, 

 and if possible be planted out when rain is near at hand. Celery seed 

 may still be sown in small quantities, and plants should be put into 

 trenches, or planted in ground that is heavily manured. The self- 

 blanching varieties need not necessarily be planted in trenches. The 

 object of the trench is to give soil for earthing, so as to cause the 

 leaves and stems to become white, but many people now adopt other 

 methods, such as placing four-inch pipes over the plant, or strips of 

 sacking, or brown paper will do equally well when wrapped round the 

 plant, with a couple of ties to keep it in position. The plants should 

 be from 12 to 18 inches in height before applying either, and 

 whatever is used it should not come more than half-way up the 

 plant. The pink varieties are generally rather more solid, and 

 slightly hardier than the whites, and may be chosen for the later 

 crop. If extra large sticks are required, it will be necessary during 

 the growing season to give liquid manure once, or twice a week — 

 niti'ate of soda, about half-ounce to one gallon of water will also be 

 found beneficial. Seeds of Carrot, Parsnip, and Beet may be sown, 

 which will come in for use in the winter and early spring, when many 

 of the earlier sown crops will be going to seed. Turnips are 

 uncertain until end of February or March. French Beans may be 

 sown until middle of February with success, after that date they 

 would be uncertain, as the cold weather may check them, although 

 sometimes a chance crop may be obtained in May, from seed sown 

 the beginning of March. 



Tomato plants should receive attention, removing any superfluous 

 growths. The free-setting heavy croppers should have all small 



