Encyclopaedia of Gardening 2 1 5 



from which a crop has been cleared, and give produce the same 

 autumn. The soil need not be heavily manured, but it should be 

 raked fine and the seed sown half an inch deep. Outdoor sowings 

 may begin in sheltered spots in February if the ground is dry 

 enough, and continue until September. The crops may fail in hot, 

 dry weather, especially if they are attacked by the flea beetle 

 (Haltica nemorum), which riddles the leaves. A good remedy is 

 to roll or tread the bed as soon as the young plants come through, 

 and this may be supplemented by dusting early in the morning 

 with soot or wood ashes. It is advisable to choose varieties accord- 

 ing to the soil and season of sowing. Thus one of the best for early 

 sowings is Early Milan, and this should be followed by Snowball or 



PART OF A GALL FROM A TURNIP OR GREEN, THE TURNIP GALL-WEEVIL. 

 WITH GRUB INSIDE. 



Model, which may be sown again in August, but should not be sown 

 in summer except in cool, moist districts. Two of the best hot- 

 weather varieties are Red Globe and Green Round. A suitable 

 sort for sowing in autumn is Chirk Castle, as it is very hardy. Gall- 

 weevil sometimes attacks Turnips. See remarks on gas-lime under 

 Broccoli. 



Vegetable Marrow (Cucurbita ovifera). The majority of people 

 enjoy Vegetable Marrows as a variant on Peas and Beans in 

 summer, and there is rarely much difficulty in getting a good supply, 

 as the plant is easily grown. The one serious trouble is the falling 

 of the fruit in the first stage, and that is due to faulty pollination. 

 It can be remedied by placing the non-fruit-bearing flowers in con- 

 tact with the fruit-bearers when the pollen is ripe. Where an early 

 crop is wanted seed should be sown in February in a warm house 

 or heated frame, and the plants subsequently hardened in a cold 

 frame. They may be planted out early in May if the locality is a 

 mild one and the place sheltered; but mid-May is early enough in 

 exposed places, and even then something should be kept at hand 

 for putting over them on cold nights. With bush Marrows 6 ft. 

 apart will not be too close; but if running varieties are used the 

 plants had better be given 12 ft. Speaking generally, the bush 

 Marrows crop earlier than the runners, but are not such heavy 

 croppers. Some growers make small pits, which they fill up with 

 garden offal and manure, planting the Marrows on the top. The 

 plan is not to be recommended, as in wet seasons there is great 

 trouble from fruit-dropping. A barrowful of soil placed in a heap of 

 manure will generally insure vigorous growth and a heavy crop. 

 With well-done ground in a good kitchen garden Vegetable Marrows 

 require nothing beyond plain soil. The plants may be put between 

 early Peas, and can be allowed to spread over the ground when the 



