770 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



All manures should be thoroughly mixed through the whole of 

 the soil and of an even depth, and not be, as is often the case, dug in 

 in heaps at the base of, and in contact with, the stem and roots of the 

 plant. 



Seeds of most of the spring and summer flowering annuals and 

 biennials should be sown, tender kinds likely to be damaged by frost 

 being kept back until such danger is past. 



Shelter from wind is a most important point in either flower or 

 vegetable gardening, quantities of young plants being often 

 practically ruined by one wind storm, and the work of months 

 nullified. This can be prevented in a great measure at least, and I 

 know of no better subject to plant for such purpose than the tree 

 lucerne (Cytisus proliferusj. It is very rapid in growth, easily cut, 

 and easily disposed of when cut, and does not exhaust the sur- 

 rounding soil as most other hedge plants do. There are numerous 

 splendid hedges of this plant in the Moorabbin district where fine 

 vegetables are usually to be seen at the end of summer, growing within 

 a yard of a hedge about 8 feet high and 3 feet through. 



The use of this plant as a break wind has quite altered the value 

 of some portions of the Brighton district, land heretofore windswept 

 and bare in spring now being profitable for garden purposes. Tree 

 lucerne resists drought and frost, but. will not thrive in low wet 

 situations. Seeds may be sown now ; they should be soaked in hot 

 water before sowing. 



Kitchen Garden. 



Sowing seeds for spring and summer supply of most vegetables, 

 and planting out from former sowings, constitute the principal work 

 during July and August. Peas, bean, carrot, parsnip, turnip, onion, 

 cauliflower, cabbage, and other seed, should be sown according to 

 needs. Succession should be provided. 



In sowing carrot, parsnip, and turnip seed in rows it is a good 

 plan to mix with each some radish seed. The radishes are through 

 the ground in a few days, marking the rows distinctly, and when 

 hoeing to keep down weeds there is less danger of running the hoe 

 through or disturbing the slower germinating plants. 



Where a hot-bed frame is available, seeds of tomatoes, melons of 

 sorts, and cucumbers, may be sown in July for early use. Towards 

 the end of August such seed may be sown in warm situations in the 

 garden. Bush marrows are specially suitable for small gardens, 

 requiring comparatively little room and fruiting early and con- 

 tinuously. 



Earliana, a new tomato, is one of the earliest to ripen, and is a 

 prolific bearer. I saw plants of this variety carrying good crops of 

 ripe fruit at Leongatha last year before Christmas. They were raised 

 on a hot-bed in July. 



Several nurserymen raise quantities of tomato plants in heated 

 houses early in the season, and where only a few plants are needed 



