A Year's Work in the Vegetable Garden 



to give support to the green growth against gales of wind ; for when 

 the stems are snapped by storms, as they often are, the roots lose 

 their aid, and are weakened for their future work. Manure water 

 will do great things for Asparagus now, and a dressing of salt may 

 be given with advantage. 



Beans may yet be sown, but as they are not much in request in 

 the latter part of the season, a small sowing will probably suffice. 



Beans, Kidney, may be sown about the middle of the month, to 

 supply tender pods when those from the early sowings are past. A 

 late crop of Runners will pay well almost anywhere, for they bear 

 until the frost cuts them down, which may not happen until far into 

 November. 



Broccoli. Take advantage of showers to continue planting out. 



Cabbage. Towards the end of the month sow a good breadth 

 of small Cabbages and Coleworts. They will be immensely valuable 

 to plant out as the summer crops are cleared away. 



Capsicums may be planted out in a sunny sheltered spot. 



Cauliflowers that are transferred now from seed-beds must 

 have plentiful supplies of water, and be shaded during midday for 

 a week. When the heads are visible it is customary to snap one of 

 the inner leaves over them for protection. 



Celery to be planted out without loss of time, in showery weather 

 if possible ; but if the weather is hot and dry, shade, and give water. 

 The work must be well done, hence it is advisable to lift no more 

 plants than can be quickly planted, watered in, and shaded, for ex- 

 posure tends to exhaustion, and Celery ought never to suffer a check 

 in even the slightest degree. When planted, dust lightly with soot 

 or wood-ashes. Pea-sticks laid across the trenches will give shade 

 enough with very little trouble. 



Chicory. This wholesome esculent is used in a variety of ways, 

 and is very much prized in some households. The blanched heads 

 make an acceptable accompaniment to cheese, and are much appreci- 

 ated for salading \ they may also be stewed and served with melted 

 butter in the same manner as Sea Kale. To grow large clean roots 

 a deep rich soil is required. If manure must be added, use that 

 which is well decayed, and bury it at least twelve inches, for near the 

 surface it will produce fanged roots. Prepare the seed-bed as for 

 Parsnips, sow in drills twelve inches apart, and thin the plants to 

 nine inches in the rows. In October the roots will be ready for 

 lifting, preparatory to being packed in dark quarters for blanching. 



Cucumbers for Pickling may be sown on ridges, 



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