42 GROW YOUR OWN VEGETABLES 



tion to artificial feed ing helps to quicken a crop, so this 

 should be practised, with those vegetables which admit of 

 it. Some workers cover up their vegetables, such as 

 cabbages, with paper bags, in which tiny holes have been 

 drilled, when fogs and frosts are feared. This simple 

 form of protection saves many heads of produce when the 

 bad weather begins to set in. 



Some crops should not be attempted at all, either 

 because of their sensitive nature or their long period of 

 growth. Cauliflowers, for instance, are fairly sensitive 

 and are of little value except when quite clean, conse- 

 quently they will not do well unless grown in good 

 weather and enveloped in bags, as suggested above. 

 Broccoli and Brussels sprouts take too long to grow and 

 are damaged before full maturity is reached. Spring 

 cabbages will thrive well enough, bat the autumn and 

 winter varieties need coddling to get through the incle- 

 ment weather, but they can be pulled through with care . 

 Savoys are a safe crop, but turnips are not satisfactory. 



Runner beans prove a great success, and the grower 

 should plant as many of these as he can sow around the 

 walls, fences, etc. Peas are less prolific, but well worth 

 attempting, though it is wise to remember that, even 

 under good conditions, a foot of ground given up to 

 beans produces more edible matter than an equal space 

 devoted to peas. Broad beans are apt to bring forth a 

 crop of black fly but few beans, and are hardly worth 

 attempting. Onions are usually successful, especially 

 if small and medium-sized bulbs are appreciated. Leeks 

 do well as a winter crop, perhaps because they thrive 

 on soot. Lettuces, if grown quickly in spring and 

 summer, give ample satisfaction, and the same may be 



