178 A YEAR'S WORK IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



made for the fact. So much will depend on the character of the 

 autumn and winter, that it will be unwise to risk all on a single sow- 

 ing. Seed put in on two or three occasions between the end of 

 August and the end of October, will provide plants in various stages 

 of growth to meet the contingencies of the season. The production 

 of Cucumbers will then depend on care and management. In very 

 dull cold weather it may be dangerous to syringe the foliage, but the 

 necessary moisture can be secured by sprinkling the floor and walls. 



ENDIVE. Make a final sowing, and plant out all that are large 

 enough, selecting, if possible, a dry, sloping bank for the purpose. 



LETTUCE to be sown to stand the winter ; the hardiest sorts, such 

 as Black-seeded Bath Cos and Winter White Cos, being the best. 

 In cold districts the middle of the month is a good time to sow ; in 

 favoured places the end of the month will be better. 



ONIONS are things to be reconsidered. For many years the 

 Tripoli section enjoyed pre-eminence for sowing at this season, 

 the opinion prevailing that other kinds were unsuitable. But it is 

 found that Improved Reading, and others that may with propriety 

 be described as English Onions, are as hardy as the Tripolis, and 

 therefore as well adapted for sowing at this season. Thus, instead 

 of sorts that must be used quickly, we may command for summer 

 sowing the best of the keepers, and the result will be heavier crops 

 and earlier ripening, with plentiful supplies of ' thinnings ' for salads 

 all through the autumn and winter. Two sowings one at the 

 beginning, the other at the end of the month may be adopted with 

 advantage. The storage of Onions is often faulty, and consequently 

 losses occur through mildew and premature growth. If any are as 

 yet unripe, spread them out in the sun in a dry place, where they can 

 be covered quickly in case of rain. In wet, cold seasons, it is some- 

 times necessary to finish the store Onions by putting them in a nearly 

 cold oven for some hours before they are stored away. 



PEA." It is mere waste of seed to sow now, but crops coming 

 forward for late bearing should have attention, more especially to 

 make them safe against storms by a sufficiency of support, and in 

 case of drought to give abundance of water. 



STRAWBERRY PLANTS may be put in should the weather prove 

 favourable ; but next month will answer. In burning weather it is 

 well worth while to bed the plants closely in a moist shady place 

 until rain comes, and then plant out. 



TOMATOES to be gathered as soon as ripe. If bad weather in- 

 terferes with the finishing of the crop, cut the full-grown fruit with a 



