The Vegetable Garden. 467 



THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



May. 



H. B. Tkury, Cert. E.H.S., Lecturer in Hoitiniltnre. Sehool of 

 Agriculture, Potehefstrnorii. 



Much can be done to augment the supply of vegetables for winter and spring 

 use. Digging, trenching, and manuring are of the greatest importance at this 

 time of the year. All decaying matter from passing crops should be destroyed 

 nnd buried to prevent the breeding of insect pests. 



The following may be sown in open ground, not to be transplanted: — 



Broab Bkans. — Sow in drills 2 feet 6 inches apart and place the beans 

 12 inches apart in the rows. They like a fairly heavy soil that has been well 

 manured. Do not attempt to cramp this crop, otherwise the pods will not set. 



Lettuce. — Cos varieties such as White Paris, etc., should be sown. This 

 popular salad requires rich moist ground and cannot be well grown A\ithout. 

 Do not soM- too thickly, and thin out to about 9 inches apart. 



Parsnip. — A small sowing may be made. Deep well worked soil is essential; 

 tliin out the seedlings before they choke one another by overcrowding. 



Peas. — May continue to be sown. Stratagem, Pride of the Market, Dr. 

 McLean, Sutton's Matchless are all useful. Where very severe frosts are 

 experienced, the peas are liable to become frosted. 



PAnisH. — Make continuous sowing of Turnip Booted, French Breakfast, and 

 other ((uick nmturing sorts. The reason radishes become puffy, liollow, and hot 

 is Itccause they arc not used fast enough. 



Sl'iNACH. — Civen some well mauuved ground and a plentiful sui)ply of 

 watei-, together witli jdentv of hoeing latei', a sovvirig of Prickly Winter may be 

 )nade. 



TuuNii'S. — ]Make g(j()d sowings of Six Week«, Bed Top White Globe, Jersey 

 Lily; thin the seedlings out when strong enough to prevent them falling over; 

 failure to thin out ruins the crop. 



Onions. — Transplant seedlings from sowings made in February or March; 

 the ground should have been prepared some time ago. Before planting, the 

 soil should be made firm, as onions dislike a spongy soil to root in. Make the 

 lows lo inches apart, and set the plants 6 to 8 inches apart in the rows. Do 

 not plant deeper than 1 inch, as good bulbs are only produced at or on the 

 siwfaee. 



Leeks. — If available, may be transplanted in a similar manner to onions. 



CeIjEJiy. — Should be making good progress, and will need to be tied up with 

 l)ai)er before earthing up to blanch the stalks. Water should be generously 

 given to enable this crop to become crisp. 



Cabbage. — May still be transplanted, and provided the soil is rich they 

 will make good growth during the winter and provide a certain crop for spring 

 use when most vegetables are scarce. 



Cauliflowers. — Will soon be fit for cutting, that is the early sorts; as the 

 heads appear it is advisable to break in a few of the inner leaves to protect 

 the Hower from the weather. Provide copious supplies of water if good heads 

 are desired. 



MuST.\RD AND Cress. — May be sown in tins and boxes under cover or on 

 the stoep. When grown in the open it docs not attain sufiicieiit length for 

 cutting. I)ut under partial shade it easily reaches 3 to 4 inches quickly. 



(The writer will be pleased to give furthei- information on application to him.) 



