A Year's Work in the Vegetable Garden 



important that they should never be dry at the roots. Shading will 

 only be necessary during fierce sunshine ; in early morning and late 

 in the afternoon they will be better without it. 



Turnip to be sown in quantity towards the end of the month. 



Water Cress. It is quite a mistake to suppose that a running 

 stream is necessary for growing this plant, and it is equally a mistake 

 to suppose that the proper flavour can be secured without the con- 

 stant use of water. Sow in a trench, water regularly and copiously, 

 and mild and tender Water Cress will reward the labour. 



Winter Greens of all kinds to be sown in plenty and in con- 

 siderable variety ; for in the event of a severe winter some kinds will 

 prove hardier than others. 



APRIL 



VEGETATION is now in full activity, the temperature increases rapidly, 

 frosts are less frequent, and showers and sunshine alternate in their 

 mutual endeavours to clothe the earth with verdure and flowers. The 

 gardener is bound to be vigilant now to assist Nature in her endeavours 

 to benefit him ; he must promote the growth of his crops by all the 

 means in his power ; by plying the hoe to keep down weeds and 

 open the soil to sunshine and showers ; by thinning and regulating 

 his plantations, that air and light may have free access to the plants 

 left to attain maturity ; by continuing to shelter as may be needed ; 

 and by administering water during dry weather, that vegetation may 

 benefit to the utmost by the happy accession of increasing sunlight. 



Artichoke, Globe. Suckers to be put in the plantations 

 prepared for them last month, in rows four or four and a half feet 

 apart, and the plants two feet apart in the rows. 



Asparagus beds should be again dressed and made quite clean. 

 If new beds are required, there must be no time lost either to sow 

 seed or get in plants. Our advice to those who require only one 

 small plantation is to form it by planting strong roots ; but those 

 who intend to grow Asparagus largely may sow down a bed every year, 

 until they have enough, and then leave well alone ; for a bed pro- 

 perly made will last ten years at the very least, if taken care of. 

 It has been clearly demonstrated that this much-esteemed vege- 

 table may be grown to perfection in any garden with little more 

 expense than attends other crops, provided only that a reasonable 

 amount of skill is brought to bear upon the undertaking. A deep, 



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