The Vegetable Garden. 277 



THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



Marcli. 



By H. B. Terry, Cert. B.H.S. (Lond. and S.A.), Lecturer in Horticulture, 

 School of Agriculture, Potchefstrooni. 



There are two more moderately good months for growth, after that the dry 

 season and cold nights may be expected inland. At the coast, however, where 

 conditions are different, gardening goes on with more regularity. But the 

 growing season is rapidly declining and the garden must be filled up with 

 transplants and seeds. The ground should be well prepared by ploughing or 

 digging and liberally enriched with stable or kraal manure which is thoroughly 

 decayed. When the preparation of the soil is complete, dust a little super- 

 phosphate over the surface and rake it in; it is a great help at all times. 

 Where crops are growing, every effort should be made to keep the soil clean 

 by frequent hoeings ; the use of the ho3 stimulates growth by allowing air to 

 enter the soil, keeps down insect pests by exposing them to the light and birds, 

 checks fungoid growths, and in every way makes for heavy yields. The use 

 of the garden hoe is not sufficiently appreciated. 



Brussels Sprouts. — These succeed best under Cape Province conditions 

 owing to the winter rainfall. 



Ca3B.\ge. — Should be transplanted immediately. Set out large growing 

 sorts, such as Castle, Mammoth, Drumhead, Savoy, and Brunswick, 3 feet 

 apart between the rows by 2 feet 6 inches in the rows. Seed may be sown 

 where it is to mature, taking care to thin out sufficiently to enable the heads 

 to develop. Try Surehead, All Head, Webb's Emperor, Spitzkool. 



Cauliflower. — Should be transplanted now for winter and spring; Gilt 

 Edge, World Beater, Veitche's Autumn Giant, or Snowball as early sorts except 

 on high veld, and broccoli for late maturing. Broccoli is much hardier than 

 ordinary cauliflower and should be grown when failures have occurred with the 

 latter. 



Celery. — May be sown in the Cape Province only. 



Carrot. — May still be sown, using Dutch Horn, Chanteney, Danvers, and 

 Maincrop. The soil for this crop should be in good condition, not recently 

 manured (unless very old stuff), as the roots are liable to fork. Sow in rows 

 15 inches apart, and thin out the seedlings later on. 



Turnips. — Turnips are a reliable winter vegetable and should be sown at 

 intervals of three weeks for succession. Use Snowball, Jersey Lily, Red Top, 

 White Globe, Red Strapleaf. 



Lettuce. — Good sowings should be made. Sow All-the-Year-Round, Boston, 

 Iceberg ; also Cos varieties. The great secret of obtaining large crisp heads is 

 rich soil, plenty of water, and frequent cultivation. The rows should be 15 inches 

 apart. 



Beetroot. — Make a big sowing of Eclipse or Egyptian Turnip-rooted. Sow 

 in rows 15 inches apart, thin out to 6 inches apart, and hoe frequently. 



Kohl Rabi. — Kohl Rabi or Knol Kohl should be sown everywhere as a 

 substitute for turnips ; it is a good vegetable in itself. 



Leeks. — A good sowing should be made if not already done. 



Onions.- — This is the best month to sow for the early spring crop; keep the 

 beds free from weeds until the seedlings are large enough to transplant in May. 

 Sow Early Cape Straw, Silver King, Red Flat, Bermuda, White Barlotta. 

 Italian Tripoli. 



Peas. — May be sown for succession. Dwarf varieties, such as Daisy, 

 Stratagem, Sutton's Matchless, Pride of the Market, should be sown in drills 

 2 feet 6 inches apart; two drills about 3 inches apart is the general practice; 

 then use the space for cultivation. 



