THE GARDEN WEEK BY WEEK 



March a foot apart. The crop will not be ready for three years, 

 ^^""31 and if a supply is wanted next year " crowns " must be 

 planted in spring, three to four feet apart according to 

 the variety, in deep, rich soil, and covered four inches. 

 They may cost from five shillings to seven-and-sixpence 

 a dozen. Champagne is a good small early variety, 

 and Victoria a very fine large late one. 



Salsify and Scorzonera. — The conditions suitable for 

 sowing Carrots and Parsnips will be good for Salsify 

 and Scorzonera, which are minor tap-root crops. The 

 seed may be sown in drills an inch deep and a foot 

 apart, and the plants thinned to nine inches. Each 

 has a very distinct flavour, and Salsify (the " Vegetable 

 Oyster ") is greatly appreciated by some people. 



Seakale. — I have already spoken of forcing Seakale 

 under cover ; let me now say that if earth, or ashes, be 

 heaped over the outdoor plants to the height of about 

 a foot, a natural process of forcing will be started that 

 involves very little expense, and yields very good 

 produce. The stems will grow up within the covering 

 material, and when they have extended some eight or 

 nine inches the earth may be removed and the produce 

 cut. Pieces of Seakale root about as thick as the Httle 

 finger, and double the length, may now be planted 

 eighteen inches apart in deep, rich, friable soil. The 

 tips should be left level with the surface. These ought 

 to give produce strong enough for forcing next winter. 

 Seed may be sown now, to give plants strong enough 

 for forcing three years hence. 



Shallots and Potato Onions. — There should be no 

 further delay in planting these, as it is already late. 

 Planting bulbs of Shallots cost about a shilling a pound, 

 of Potato Onions about sixpence. The former may be 

 set out nine inches apart, the latter fifteen mches. Seed 

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