SEASONABLE REMINDERS. 335 



Potatoes, Swedes aud Mangolds. Usually planted earlier in the 

 season, but with rain in the late districts these root crops may be got in 

 still. In the warmer districts they should be so well forward that hilling 

 up and thinning comes into the seasonable work. 



Beets. For either sugar or feed, beet seed may be sown now. From 

 ten to fifteen pounds of seed per acre. 



Onions. Thinning is especially necessary during dry spells. For this 

 crop, the soil must be kept clean and open, and the plants so thinned out 

 that heavy, solid bulbs are got. Where sowing has still to be done, the 

 seed should be drilled into the rows so that transplanting will be unneces- 

 sary. 



Pumpkins and Melons. Every available spare piece of land may be 

 got to yield these crops during summer ; plant now. They keep weeds in 

 check, and mellow down new rough land for future cropping. 



Buckwheat. Where wheat, oats, barley, or other cold weather crops 

 have missed, this is an excellent catch crop, and is well worth being tried 

 on land that is not required for other purposes. 



Rye. This is a rapid-growing crop, and does well during spring 

 weather. When vetches are put in with rye the combination makes excel- 

 lent feed for cutting green or for ensilage. 



Grass Land. When dry spells occur during spring, there is opportu- 

 nity for freeing the land from sorrel, docks, thistles, and other weeds. 

 They all suffer with the spring grasses. The latter grow quickest when 

 rain falls on soil that is warm, and weeds can be still further checked by 

 pulling them out as they appear. Top-dressing with manure, and harrow- 

 ing the dry soil, helps the grasses to get ahead of their weed enemies, 

 amongst which " tussock grass" is becoming very serious. 



VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



Crops Available. The variety for spring cropping is enormous, and a 

 good deal can be done to help them on during dry spells with but a little 

 water. Beans, both dwarf and climbers, tomatoes, peas, cucumbers, 

 marrows, and melons being in the list of crops for sowing and planting at 

 this time. Cabbage, lettuce, and salads, also beets, for home use can be 

 kept going all through the season. 



The Cabbage Tribe. Good sorts for planting for spring and summer 

 growth are Colonial King and St. John's Day. They stand hot weather 

 better than the earlier kinds. 



Mulching. As warm weather advances, and especially during dry 

 times we find the benefit of having plenty of short stuff for mulching. 

 With its aid seedlings can be kept going, and great growtli can begot with 

 very little water. 



Beans. Dwarf beans are always in favour. Canadian Wonder and 

 Negro Eye still hold leading place, and many other sorts also deserve 

 attention. They all require fairly rich soil, and planting in rows from 

 two feet to thirty inches apart. The seed is dropped into the furrows 

 about three incites apart, and thinned out to about nix. 



Climber Beans. The Lima and others are held in high esteem for 

 quality. They do best on poles about six feet high, or on such trellis as 

 are illustrated in the chanter on " Home Gardening. " The rows may be 

 four feet apart, and the plants from eighteen inches to three feet apart. 



