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AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURE. 



of space both for the rows and between the plants : that is 

 in all sorts of vegetables that ripen their seed, or those used 

 in the pod or fruit. Beets, carrots, turnips, parsnips, all 

 that class may be sown pretty thickly together, so as to send 

 them to the kitchen in a young state, by just thinning out as 

 required, and leaving enough in the rows for a full crop. 

 Whilst still very small, beets, carrots, &c., are much more 

 succulent and tender, and are well worth the extra trouble 

 in preparing for the table. Cabbage and cauliflower and 

 lettuce are sown in seed beds for transplanting, and may 

 be used from the home garden before they are too big. 

 French beans and peas should be pulled whilst quite 

 brittle and tender. 



The Shade or Bush Frame. These are the handiest and 

 certainly amongst most effective contrivances in Australian 



Bush House, with Propagating Beds for Seeds, &c. 



practice. What we require is protection from drying 

 winds and heavy rains, and this we get by making up a 

 seed-bed in the ordinary way, ouch as that recommended 

 for tobacco, for instance. Then to furnish shade and 

 shelter, stakes are fitted at the corners, and a cover of 

 bushes, old bamboo shade stuff, calico, or sacking, is made to 

 fit over the bed in such a manner as allows of its being 

 fitted close to the soil, or say six inches above it, or it can be 

 fixed two or three feet above. This gives shade, and 



