MARCH 159 



a distance of three or four inches between the plants. No gathering 

 from the crop must be expected in the year of sowing, and it is 

 scarcely necessary to add, that weeds must not be permitted to 

 smother the plantation. 



SPINACH. Sow in plenty. The Perpetual or Spinach Beet is one 

 of the most useful vegetables known, as it endures heat and cold 

 with impunity, and when common Spinach is running to seed the 

 Perpetual variety remains green and succulent, and fit to supply the 

 table all the summer long. 



SPINACH, NEW ZEALAND, is another excellent vegetable in high 

 summer when the Round-seeded variety is worthless. It is rather 

 a tender plant, and for an early supply the seed must be sown in 

 moderate heat, either in this month or in April. Get the seedlings 

 into small pots when large enough, and gradually harden them before 

 planting in the open about the end of May. 



STRAWBERRIES. Spring is undoubtedly preferable to autumn 

 planting, and results in a finer crop of fruit in the following year. 

 Just as growth is commencing is the most favourable time, and this, 

 of course, depends on the character of the season. The Alpine 

 varieties are annually raised from spring-sown seeds in pans, or in 

 drills on a rich border. 



TOMATO. In ordinary seasons and in the southern counties 

 there is no difficulty in producing handsome Tomatoes in the open 

 border ; but to ripen the fruit with certainty it is imperative that an 

 early variety be chosen. With the rise of latitude, however, the crop 

 becomes increasingly precarious, until in the north it is impossible to 

 finish Tomatoes without the aid of glass. For plants which are to 

 ripen fruit in the open, a sowing should be made early in the month , 

 in the manner advised under January. Plants which are ready 

 should be transferred to small thumb-pots. Put them in so that the 

 first leaves touch the rim of the pot, and place them in a close frame 

 or warm part of the greenhouse for a few days until the roots take 

 hold. To save them from becoming leggy, give each plant ample 

 space, and avoid a forcing temperature. A shelf in a greenhouse is ' 

 a good position, and plants in a single row upon it will grow stout and 

 short- jointed. Thrips and aphis are extremely partial to Tomatoes, 

 Frequent sprinklings in bright weather will help to keep down the 

 former, and will at the same time benefit the plants. Both pests can 

 be destroyed by fumigating with tobacco, and when the remedy is 

 to be applied water should be withheld on that day. A moderate 

 amount of smoke in the evening, and another application in the. 



