MONTHLY CALENDAR. 277 



edges of one of the borders ; but in order to grow this useful herb in perfection, 

 it is necessary that the roots and stem should be kept in a perfectly dry 

 state : this is indispensable to the health and freshness of the plant. In 

 preparing the beds, therefore, remove the soil to the depth of six or eight 

 inches, and fill in the bottom with the same depth of stones, brick rubbish, 

 and similar loose material. Over this prepare the bed of light rich soil, which 

 will thus be raised considerably above the level of the ground, the bed being 

 raked smooth and level. Towards the end of May, sow some seed of the most 

 curly variety, either in shallow drills, slightly covered with fine soil, or thin 

 broadcast raked in. If the weather continue dry, water frequently : in five 

 or six weeks the plants will have appeared ; when large enough, thin them 

 out, so that they may be four or five inches apart. By the end of autumn 

 they will be large and vigorous plants. At this time, drive a row of 

 stakes or hoops into the ground, on each side of the bed, so as to form arches 

 strong enough to support a covering of mats, which should be laid over them 

 as soon as frosty or wet weather threatens to set in. During intense frosts, 

 increase the protection, removing it on fine days, and removing it entirely in 

 mild weather. The soil should be kept dry, and all decayed leaves carefully 

 removed : in this manner this useful vegetable may be available all the winter. 



§ 4.— Operations in the Kitchen-Garden. 



750. During this month the great operations of the year are commenced, 

 and most of the principal crops got in. Hitherto, warm and sheltered spots 

 and borders have been appropriated, but the larger quarters have been 

 dug up into ridges, and as large a surface as possible exposed to atmospheric 

 influences. Now the whole garden is to be cropped upon a carefully-considered 

 plan, so that no crop of the same character should follow on the same spot ; 

 for instance, where any of the Brassicae, or deteriorators, were grown the 

 previous season, follow them with preparers, which are mostly root-crops, as 

 potatoes, carrots, parsnips, onions, scorzoneras, salsafy, &c. These, again, 

 should be followed as far as possible by surface-crops, which are mostly 

 the shortest- lived of any, and include all saladings. We may go further, and 

 include pot or sweet herbs, and also medicinal herbs, besides some of the 

 shorter-lived vegetables, as spinach, coleworts, French beans, early carrots, 

 and the longer-lived sorrels, and even strawberries ; so that surface-crops 

 comprise a group equally copious with exhausters or preparers. Map out the 

 garden, therefore, and give each crop its proper position and space, and note 

 the time of its duration as a guide for selecting its successor : this applies to 

 kitchen-gardens of any extent, but more particularly to those which are 

 limited, because it economizes the room. Those crops called deepeners, on 

 account of the depth and richness of soil they require, and their long occupa- 

 tion of the same spot, comprise but a small portion, comparatively, of the 

 occupants of the kitchen-garden, and cannot be used in the same proportion, 

 although their ofiice in respect of deepening the soil is important ; but where 



