1 8 THE CULTURE OF VEGETABLES 



Nothing is gained by this practice ; there is loss always when the 

 individual plant is, through deficiency of space, hindered in its full 

 development. 



For early crops which are eventually to come to maturity in the 

 open ground, the first sowings may be made in the month of April, 

 either in boxes in a gentle heat, or better still in a frame on a sunny 

 border without artificial heat. The tender growth that is produced 

 by a forcing process is not well adapted for planting out in May ; but 

 a plant produced slowly, with plenty of light and air, will be stout and 

 strong, and if put out with care as soon as mild weather occurs in 

 the month of May, will make good progress and yield an early crop. 

 The seed for this purpose should be sown in rather light turfy soil, 

 as the plants may then be lifted without injury to their fleshy roots. 

 A little kindly treatment will be desirable for some time after they 

 are planted, to protect them from sun and frost, as well as to give 

 water, if necessary, although, perhaps, the less watering the better, 

 provided the plants can hold their ground. The plot to which these 

 early sowings are to be transplanted should be light and rich, and 

 lying towards the sun; the lines should be opened by the spade or 

 hoe in preference to using the dibber, and the fine soil from the 

 surface should be carefully closed in upon the roots as fast as they 

 are dropped into their places with their balls of earth unbroken. 

 Rough handling will seriously interfere with the ultimate result, but 

 ordinary care will insure abundant gatherings of first-class produce 

 at a time when there are but few in the market. 



Main crops are sown from the last week in April to the middle of 

 June, and for late crops sowings may be made during July, and on 

 to the first week of August. The distance for maincrop rows may be 

 from one and a half to two feet apart, according to the vigour of the 

 variety (such as the productive Canadian Wonder requiring fully two 

 feet), and the distance between the plants may be eight to twelve 

 inches ; therefore it is well to drill the seed about four inches apart, 

 and thin out as soon as the rough leaves appear. The ground being 

 in fairly good condition, it will only be necessary to chop over the 

 surface, if at all lumpy, and draw drills to the line with the hoe, which 

 is far better than dibbling, except on very light soil, when dibbling is 

 quite allowable. Generally speaking, if the plot be kept clean, the 

 Beans will take care of themselves ; but in droughty weather a heavy 

 watering now and then will be visibly beneficial, for although the 

 plant bears drought well, it is like other good things in requiring 

 something to live upon. In making late sowings, when the ground 



