180 GROW YOUR OWN VEGETABLES 



following brief details as they appear in "An Encyclo- 

 paedia of Gardening " : 



" Outdoor Culture, soil, deep rich sandy loam. Position, 

 open and sunny preferably; will succeed, however, in 

 partial shade. Preparation of soil : In October or Novem- 

 ber, trench two spits deep and break up third spit with fork. 

 Put a thick layer of manure over third spit and work in a 

 liberal quantity of old mortar, decayed vegetable matter and 

 rotten manure among upper spits. In March, double dig 

 the soil again and add layer of decayed manure between 

 first and second spits. In case of heavy wet soils put a 

 thick layer of brick rubble under second spit in October. 

 Plant in April. Open a trench 12 in. deep on each side of 

 row thus A and spread out roots on each side ; plants 

 to be 15 in. apart. Fill up trenches with soil and make level. 

 ' Crowns ' or points of each plant to be 5 in. below the sur- 

 face. Mulch with decayed manure. Three-year-old plants 

 best for planting. Cutting : No shoots to be removed first 

 year, moderate quantity the second year, freely afterwards. 

 Shoots should not be less than 6 in. long when cut. Cease 

 cutting end of June. General treatment : Apply manures 

 as advised below. Keep beds free of weeds. Cut down 

 stems early in November. Top-dress with decayed manure 

 in November, previously lightly forking up surface and 

 cover with sprinkling of soil. In March, lightly fork over 

 surface, rake off rough particles into alley and leave smooth 

 and neat. Solid manures : (a) Decayed horse manure for 

 heavy soils ; cow or pig manure for light soils ; (b) seaweed 

 mixed with above manures and applied as a top dressing in 

 November ; (c) common salt, 1 oz. to a square yard, applied 

 once a month, May to September, etc. Liquid manures : 

 (d) 2 oz. potash, 2 oz. superphosphate, and 1 oz. sulphate of 

 ammonia to each gallon of water, applied in June ; (e) Drain- 

 ing from manure heap applied frequently in April to Septem- 

 ber." 



