May 



as those that enjoy light and air on all sides. In Continental cookery 

 a good dish is made of the beans shelled out when about half 

 ripe. These, being served in rich gravy, are at once savoury and 

 wholesome. The best kinds to grow for this purpose are the White- 

 seeded Runners, which, in many places, may be worth growing for 

 use as dry haricots. In this case, of course, the pods should be 

 allowed to ripen, but if intended to be cooked for a summer dish, 

 they should be gathered when the Beans are full grown, but not yet 

 ripe. 



Beet. The main crop should be sown in the early part of the 

 month. Thin and weed the early sown, and if the ground has 

 been suitably prepared, it will be needless to give water to this 

 crop. As Beet is not wanted large, it is not advisable to sow 

 any great breadth until the beginning of May, or it is liable to become 

 coarse. 



Broccoli to be sown for succession. Plant out from frames and 

 forward seed-beds at every opportunity. About the middle of the 

 month sow for cutting in May and June of next year. 



Brussels Sprouts. For the sake of a few fine buttons in the 

 first dripping days of Autumn, when Peas and Runners and Marrows 

 are gone, put out as soon as possible some of the forwardest plants 

 you have, giving them a rich soil and sunny position. 



Cabbage. Plant out from seed-beds at every opportunity, 

 choosing, if possible, the advent of showery weather. Sow the 

 smaller sorts and Coleworts, especially in favoured districts where 

 there is usually no check to vegetation until the turn of the year. 



Capsicum can be sown out of doors about the middle of the 

 month, and nice green pods for pickling may be secured in the 

 autumn. 



Carrot. Thin the main crops early, and sow a few rows of 

 Champion Horn or Intermediate, for use in a small state during late 

 summer, when they make an elegant and delicate dish. 



Cauliflowers must have water in dry weather; they are the 

 most hungry and thirsty plants in the garden, but pay well for good 

 living. Plant out from frames as fast as ready, for they do no good 

 to stand crowded and starving. 



Celery trenches must be prepared in time, though, strange 

 to say, this task is generally deferred until the plants have really 

 become weak through overcrowding. In a small garden it is never 

 advisable to have Celery very forward, for the simple reason that 

 trenches cannot be made for it until Peas come off and other early 



173 



