August 



it is most unwise to water seeds, and it is always better if they can 

 be got up with the natural moisture of the soil alone. However, in 

 an extreme case the ground should be well soaked before the seed 

 is sown, and after sowing covered with hurdles, peasticks, or mats 

 until the seeds begin to sprout. 



Artichokes, Globe, to be cut down as soon as the heads are 

 used. 



Broccoli to be planted out. As the Sprouting Broccoli, which 

 belongs to the class of ' Winter Greens,' does not pay well in spring 

 unless it grows freely now, plant it far enough apart ; if crowded 

 where already planted to stand the winter, take out every alternate 

 plant and make another plantation. 



Brussels Sprouts may be sown early in the month, part to 

 stand the winter in the seed-bed, and part to be pricked out ready 

 for planting in the spring. This plan insures a robust plant and an 

 early supply of buttons. 



Cabbage. In many small gardens the August sowing of Cab- 

 bages is made to suffice for the whole year, and in the largest estab- 

 lishments greater breadths are sown now than at any other period. 

 But whether the garden be small or large, it is not wise to rely 

 exclusively on the sowing of any one kind. At least two varieties 

 should be chosen, and as a precaution each variety may be sown at 

 two dates, with an interval of about a fortnight between. The wisdom 

 of this arrangement will be evident in nine seasons out of ten. It 

 allows for contingencies, prolongs the season of supply, and offers 

 two distinct dishes of a single vegetable the mature hearts, and the 

 partially developed plants, which differ, when served, both in appear- 

 ance and in flavour. Where the demand is extensive, or great 

 diversity is required, three or four kinds should be sown, including 

 Red Cabbage to produce fine heads for pickling next year. 



Cardoon. Commence blanching if the plants are ready. 



Cauliflower must be sown to stand the winter, and there is no 

 better place for them than a sheltered spot on an open, sunny border. 

 The time to sow must be determined by the climate of the district. 

 In cold, late localities, the first week is none too early; from the 

 1 5th to the 25th is a good time for all the Midland districts; and 

 the end of the month, or the first week of September, is early enough 

 in the extreme South. In Devon and Cornwall the sowing is later 

 still. In any case, the seed should be sown on a good bed, and with 

 care, in order that a healthy growth may be promoted from the first. 

 It is important to have the plants as hardy as possible by free 



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