148 GROW YOUR OWN VEGETABLES 



leaves, sods, turf cuttings, etc., and after making them 

 fairly firm, return the dug out soil. This will give a 

 raised bed standing about a foot above the ground. 

 Flatten it with the back of a spade and gently incline 

 the sides (Plate 12, Fig. 4). 



When all is ready take two of the pots, shake out the 

 seedlings with the soil clinging to them and plant on the 

 surface of the bed. One plant is really sufficient to cover 

 a bed of the dimensions mentioned above, but it is well 

 to arrange two in case either of them fails. 



During the first two or three weeks in the open station 

 the seedlings will have a somewhat precarious existence ; 

 accordingly, it is well to cover them at nights with bell 

 jars, upturned aquaria, or large flower pots to protect 

 them from frosts. 



When the plants become established and growth com- 

 mences to proceed apace, the points of the main shoots 

 should be pinched off in order that the side ones may be 

 better nourished. Later, these shoots are arranged along 

 the ground in straight lines and not allowed to become 

 entangled. Some growers train their shoots up a gentle 

 slope to mount a wall or fence and thus catch more sun 

 than would be otherwise possible. All the while, copious 

 supplies of water will be necessary ; give this to the 

 roots by means of a can from which the rose has been 

 removed, but spray the flowers gently. Do not, however, 

 flood the plants so that they damp off. Plenty of water 

 is wanted, but not too much. 



On the formation of the blossoms watch for the fruit. 

 The early comers will need fertilizing ; cut off a male 

 flower and smear it well into the centre of a female 

 flower. Later bloom is usually fertilized naturally. As 



