472 VILLA GARDENING pakt v 



the health and vigour of the plant, and, consequently, to the weight 

 and bulk of the crop. 



After the planting is finished Shallots will very nearly take care 

 of themselves ; but weeds, of course, must be kept down either by 

 hoeing or weeding, or both. In July, when the growth is finished 

 and the tops are dying dowai, pull up the bulbs and lay them in 

 the sunshine on a hard surface, turning them over occasionally till 

 fully dry and ripened, and then store them away on the shelves of 

 a dry cool storeroom or shed. 



Varieties. — There are several ; but one known as the Jersey 

 Shallot is the largest and freest from mildew and other forms of 

 disease. Sometimes this kind produces seeds, Avhich, when sown 

 in spring, like Onions, produce good bulbs the same year. 



Garlic. — French cooks use this for flavouring, but their English 

 confreres seldom ask for it. It is easily grown when treated as 

 the Shallot. Plant small cloves in rows 1 2 inches apart and 6 

 inches from each other in the rows. Press the bulblets into the 

 soil, and cover with a little compost. Wlien the leaves die down 

 take up the bidbs, dry them, and hang iu bunches in an open airy 

 shed. 



CHAPTER XIX 



The Turnip. — Turnips, like Carrots, are nearly always in 

 request for flavouring, but, of course, the autumn is the time they 

 are at their best ; the long cool nights of autumn give rapidity to 

 the growth and tenderness to the flesh. The site for the first sow- 

 ing should be warm and sheltered, but not in the full blaze of the 

 sun on the south border. An eastern or western aspect will be 

 better. Though not commonly forced, the Turnip is amenable to 

 forcing, and may be helped forward under glass on a bed of leaves 

 on which 6 or 8 inches of soil has been placed. Another way of 

 helping the early crop of Turnips is to dig a wide trench and fill it 

 with warm manure, place 6 inches of nice light soil over it, sow the 

 seeds broadcast, and thin out to 6 inches apart. The Strap-leaved 

 Stone is a good variety for this work. "Wherever Turnips are forced, 

 if glass cannot be had, a covering of some kind shoidd be used on 

 cold nights. Canvas screens, or covers made of oiled calico, will 

 do. Covers made of reeds or straw are cheap, and if taken care 

 of are durable. I have had some in use for several years, and they 

 do not cost much to make or renew. 



Small Sowings and often should be the rule till June. 

 Through March, April, and May, a few seeds sown once in three 



