170 A YEAR'S WORK IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



LETTUCE. Sow for succession where the plants are to remain, and 

 plant out at every opportunity. Extra care must be taken now to 

 shade and water after planting, to insure a quick growth and prevent 

 the plants running to seed. The larger Cabbage Lettuces will prove 

 useful if sown now. 



MELON. It is not too late to grow Melons in frames, provided 

 a start can be made with strong plants. 



PEA. Sow second early dwarf sorts, and if there is any prospect 

 of a break in the supply, sow also a few rows of the earliest. It is a 

 good plan now to prepare trenches as for Celery, but less deep, and 

 sow Peas in them, as the trenches can be quickly filled with water in 

 case of dry weather, and the vigorous growth insured will be proof 

 against mildew. 



SAVOY sown now will produce small useful hearts for winter use. 

 By many these small hearts will be preferred to large ones as more 

 delicate, and therefore a sowing of Tom Thumb may be advised. 



SPINACH, NEW ZEALAND, can be sown in the open ground in the 

 early part of this month, and should be thinned to about a yard 

 apart. The growth somewhat resembles that of the Ice Plant. The 

 tender young tops are pinched off for cooking, and they make an 

 elegant Spinach, which has no bitter flavour, and therefore can be eaten 

 by many persons who object to the sooty flavour of ordinary Spinach. 



TOMATO. By the third week in May the plants for the open 

 border should be hardened. In a cold pit or frame they may be 

 gradually exposed until the lights can be left off altogether, even 

 at night. A thick layer of ashes at the bottom of the frame will 

 insure drainage and keep off vermin. If the plants are allowed 

 plenty of space, and are well managed, they will possess dark healthy 

 foliage, needing no support from sticks until they are in final 

 quarters. Do not put them out before the end of the month or 

 the beginning of June, and choose a quiet day for the work. If 

 possible, give them a sunny spot under the shelter of a wall having a 

 southern or western aspect. On a stiff soil it is advisable to plant 

 on ridges, and not too deeply ; for deep planting encourages strong 

 growth, and strong growth defers the production of fruit. Tomatoes 

 are sometimes grown in beds, and then it is necessary to give 

 them abundant room. For branched plants three feet between the 

 plants in the rows, and the rows four feet apart, will afford space for 

 trying and watering. Each plant should have the support of a stout 

 stake firmly fixed in the soil, and rising four feet above it ; and once a 

 week at least the tying should be attended to. As to stopping, the 



