110 The Profitable Culture of Vegetables. 



special circumstances of the case, would be of great benefit 

 to the allotment holder, who would thereby be able to produce, 

 without much extra outlay, a larger quantity of wholesome 

 food for his family, as well as the probability of having some 

 to offer for sale to his neighbours. In addition, the increased 

 interest which arises from an occupation calling for fore- 

 thought, judgment, and careful planning, and the pleasure and 

 satisfaction to be derived from viewing the perfect vegetables 

 mature in succession, with almost mechanical regularity, are 

 in themselves ample recompense for any additional time and 

 expense which may be entailed. 



A few frames and lights (which can be made at home) to 

 protect plants through the winter and to raise further batches 

 in the spring, and which could afterwards be used to produce 

 a summer crop of cucumbers, are all that are really necessary 

 in the 'present case. Every effort should be made to secure 

 some, but even if that is impossible at the outset, a great deal 

 can be done without them. 



If reference is made to the chapter on French gardening, 

 page 65, it will be seen that the system is there summed up in 

 the following words : " the provision of shelter and protection, 

 warm and rich soil, abundant moisture and good drainage, with 

 a careful arrangement of inter- and successional cropping." A 

 study of these points will discover nothing impossible, even to 

 the allotment holder. 



Shelter and protection can easily be provided by the use of 

 straw mats (which can be made at a cost of 3d. each for mate- 

 rial see page 77). Where no frames are available, thousands 

 of comparatively tender plants, such as lettuce and cauli- 

 flowers, if pricked out on a dry bed and sheltered on all 

 sides save the south by mats fixed on hurdles, can be brought 

 quite safely through an average winter, ready for setting out in 

 February and March. A few laths fixed over the bed, so that 

 it can be covered in severe weather with mats or dry litter, 

 will make all safe. 



Warm soil implies not only beds of fermenting manure but 

 also well-drained, well-worked soil, friable and kindly, and free 

 from cold, stagnant moisture. By referring to the article on 

 " Drainage," page 7, it will be seen that drained soil (and the 



