518 VILLA GARDENING PART vi 



themselves, a good mauj' Radishes may be obtained from a verj- 

 small bed. They do not require much heat. If they have a 

 .little to start them, jnst to cause the seeds to germinate (quickly 

 and get fairly into growth, shelter will do the rest. To keep up 

 a succession a little bed should l)e made up eveiy three weeks 

 or so, from December till the end of March. After that they may 

 be had in the open air by the aid of improvised shelters. In no 

 case should they be sown too thickly, as they draw each other up 

 weakly, and nm too much to top. The best varieties for forcing 

 are AVood's Frame, as a long-rooted variety ; French Breakfast, 

 and the early White Forcing Turnip. 



Young Onions. — These are sometimes used to flavour salads, 

 and if in demand they should be sown in heat in boxes, and drawn 

 when quite young. Onion seeds germinate very quickly in a high 

 temperature, and it can scarcely be too high to start them if they 

 are wanted in succession ; but as soon as the young plants appear 

 above ground move to a light position, where the night tem- 

 peratiu'e ranges from 55" to 60^. 



Water-cress. — Of late years this has come to be grown under 

 glass for winter and spring supply. Cuttings are obtained which 

 are planted in ])its or frames of rich loamy soil. Sometimes pots 

 are used, placed in shallow pans of water. The cuttings are 

 planted rather thickly, and shaded a little at first. A greenhouse 

 temperature will suthce, though, if in a light position, more heat 

 than is customary in such a house may be given. After the fii-st 

 gathering, give liquid manure occasionally. The cuttings may be 

 planted in boxes, brought on in a forcing-pit, and moved to the 

 greenhouse afterwards to flavoiu- and colour ; or they may be 

 inserted in pots like any other soft-wooded plant, started in the 

 propagating-house or pit, and when rooted potted off, and moved to 

 the greenhouse when established. Water-cress should be grown on 

 without checks or chills, and then it will be tender and of good 

 flavour. If cuttings are not available seedlings may be raised by 

 sowing in heat and growing them in the same way that cuttings 

 are treated. 



Plain Cress. — This is the variety commonly grown for forcing. 

 It is usually sown in boxes, one or more at a time, according to 

 the demand. The boxes are about 2 feet long and 1 1 inches wide, 

 made of half-inch deal, and are handy and light. A coat of paint 

 helps to preserve them. They need not be deep for Cress ; if 

 they are 4 inches deep, they can be used for other pm-poses. A 

 few half- inch holes are bored through the bottom for drainage, 

 and about 2 inches of rough soil jilaced in as a foundation. On 

 this a layer of fine, light, sandy soil is placed, and pressed down 



