The Vegp^taulb Gtaeden. 



THE VEGETABLE aARDEN. 



July. 



liv H. B. Terhy. Coit. K.H.S., Lecturer in Horiicnltuif. Selinnl ol 

 Agrifiiltiire, Potchefstrooin. 



This is the coldest month ot: ilie year, and frosts may be expected every night, 

 especially on the high veld. It will be practically impossible to rai-^c peedlings 

 in the open except in sheltered positions. Frames or pits should be used for 

 raisi,ng a few early plants of cabbage, tomato, marrow, and cucumber. In 

 tropical districts where frost is rare, French beans, marrows, cucuinher, sweet 

 corn, tomato, etc., are sown or transplanted for early or succession crops. 



Abtictiokbs. — Jerusalem artichokes may be planted now. The tubers should 

 ho planted as soon after lifting as possible as they do not keep well out of the 

 giound. 



Asparagus. — New crowns should be planted thiK month; established bed^ 

 should be well forked over and given a top dressing of well-rotted stable manure 

 or kraal manure if not already done. 



Rhubarb. — Winter (Topp's Crimson) will continue to give a supply of stalks 

 if kept watered; crowns of the summer var-eties should be planted now. 

 Established crowns may be forced by placing old cement barrels or paraffin tins 

 with tops and bottoms knocked out over the crowns; pack s+able manure around 

 the coAcrs and loosely cover over the tops. Give plenty of water. 



Seakale and CnicORY may be forced in a similar manner to rhubarb. 



Herbs such as thyme, marjoram, sage, and mint, should be divided and 

 replanted. 



Broad Beans may stijl bo sown. If the earlier sown plants become frosted 

 do not despair; they will break out again. In warm localities where growth is 

 rapid, it is often necessary to nip out the growing point to cause the pods to set. 



Cabbage. — Sow a little seed of such early sorts as Surehead, Webbs' 

 Emperor, Enfield Market, St. John's Day, Winningstad. Give a little protec- 

 tion until germinated. 



Lettuce. — Continue to sciw Cos varieties. in warmer districts cabbage 

 varieties may be sown again: Curled Neapolitan, Boston, Icelierg. 



Peas. — Sow Stratagem, American Wonder, <Tradns, Black-Eyed Pnsan, 

 Marrow-fat. Lettuce or radish may be sown between the rows if the peas are 

 sown 3 feet apart m rows. 



Onions may be sown for salads; next month will be early enough to put in 

 I lie main crop for summer. 



RAOisn may be sown for succession; try sowing with lettuce between the 

 rows ot peas. 



Tomatoes. — Under cover, or in a sunken pit, sow w tin of some early soit 

 such as Carter's Sunrise, Earliest-of-all, Earliana, Bonnie Best; germination 

 may be slow, but strong plants M'ill be available for early transplanting should 

 an opportunity occur. After germination give plenty of light and air to harden 

 the seedlings off. 



Turnips. — Continue to sow for succession ; supply plenty of v.ater, as a check 

 will ruin the crop. Keep a sharp lookout for Bagrada Bug and endeavour to 

 suppress it. 



Kohl Rabi is hardier than turnips and often succeeds where turnips fail ; 

 both White and Purple Vienna may be sown. 



Shallots.— Get these planted during the present montli. Lee the rows be 

 one foot apart, aboait six inches between each bulb. 



Potatoes.— It is too soon to plant, but the ground should be pre].>ared, the 

 sets obtained, and placed in shallow boxes to begin sprouting. 



