236 THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES 



seed. The narrow-leaved and red varieties do not always 

 come true from seed and are more delicate. 



Soil a medium loam, well drained, and with manure 

 worked in. 



Distances. In seed-bed, for seeds and cuttings, rows 

 apart as convenient. Thin seedlings to three to six 

 inches. In permanent positions, twelve by twelve inches 

 or twelve by eighteen inches. 



Depth for seed, one inch. For root-divisions, rooted 

 cuttings, and layers, as they stood before. 



Take cuttings in spring, and set in moist, shady 

 seed-bed. From mature wood the cuttings will be ready 

 to transplant in six weeks. From immature, the cut- 

 tings should remain till next spring, but will give best 

 results. 



Take layers in spring, having rooted them the pre- 

 vious summer. 



Take up roots in spring. 



Sow in protected seed-bed in early spring, or under 

 glass in March; thin to six by six inches as the plants 

 grow, and set out when frosts are past. Sow in open 

 ground in May. 



Cut when the plants are well established, but do not 

 cut too heavily the first year; once is enough. With 

 old plants three cuttings are possible in a year, taking 

 the first and best before the flower-stems appear; cut 

 oft* the whole top. With plants grown as annuals only 

 one cutting is usual. 



