CHAP. XXV • VILLA GAEDENING 495 



Kohl Rabi. — Though not generally grown in gardens, it is, as 

 may be inferred from its origin, a wholesome vegetable. As most 

 of my readers know, the Kohl Rabi, or Turnip-rooted Cabbage, is 

 intermediate between the Tnrnip and Cabbage, both being highly- 

 esteemed vegetables. The seeds may be sown in July towards the 

 end of the month for standing through the winter, or the sowing 

 may be made in spring — in March — in rows 18 inches apart where 

 the plants are to remain, and thin out to 12 or 15 inches 

 apart. The July sowing will probal)ly produce the largest bulbs, 

 but those raised in spring will be most appreciated in the kitchen, 

 as possessing; the qualities most esteemed there — viz. tenderness 

 and succulency. The plants raised in July or August should be 

 planted out in spring ; they will grow to a large size, and should 

 be allowed more space. 



Capsicums and Chillis. — I once had to cater for a gentleman 

 who always had a green Chilli cut up in his soup every evening ; 

 and for mixing with and giving tone and flavour to pickles they 

 are often in demand. They should be sown in a warm frame or 

 pit in March, and when large enough to handle should be pricked 

 off either singly into thumb-pots, or three or four plants round the 

 sides of a large 60. Grow them on in heat till well established ; 

 harden off" in May, and plant out about the end of the month at 

 the foot of a south wall in a sunny corner, 1 5 inches apart. Mulch 

 between the plants and water when necessary. Some of the 

 plants may be kept in pots, potting them on into larger pots as 

 they require more space. Others may be planted out in a frame 

 from which early vegetables, such as Potatoes, Carrots, etc., have 

 just been cleared. They thrive best in rather a light soil ; turfy 

 loam of average quality, enriched with some leaf-mould or old 

 manure, will do them well, and a little of this or similar compost 

 may with advantage be worked round the roots when planting 

 them out. The varieties are now somewhat numerous, including 

 several, such as the Prince and Princess of Wales, which possess 

 considerable decorative merit. The long red, long yellow, and 

 small red Chilli are best for mixing with pickles. When growing 

 in a suitable temperature, and not starved or neglected in the 

 matter of food, they are not much subject to insects or diseases. 

 Green-fly will attack them, and so will red-spider, if they are kept 

 in a starved condition. Tobacco, in the shape of wash, fumigation, 

 or powder, will destroy all forms of aphides, but the syringe is the 

 best implement to bring to bear upon the red spider. 



Sorrell. — A few roots of a good variety should be grown in 

 every garden, as most people who have a fair knowledge of good 

 cookery use it for flavouring. It requires no special soil or culture. 



