310 The Profitable Culture of Vegetables. 



the growth of the roots will sometimes lift them out. In any 

 case, the bed should be examined frequently for a few weeks 

 after planting, and any which have been disturbed replaced. 



During growth keep the weeds down by frequent hoeing, but 

 take care not to cut into the soil deeply or to bury the bulbs, 

 which should grow on the surface. 



The crop will begin to ripen in July, which may be seen by 

 the leaves turning yellow ; by the middle of the month these 

 will have withered considerably, and the bulbs may then be 

 lifted. Spread them on the ground to dry in the sun for a few 

 days, turning them over two or three times : then divide and 

 top them, and store in a dry cool place. 



Varieties; The two leading varieties are the true Shallot 

 and the Jersey, or false, Shallot. The Russian Shallot and 

 the Dutch Shallot are practically the same variety as the 

 Jersey. A full-grown bulb of the true Shallot is about the size 

 of a small walnut, with rather long thin neck and russetty skin, 

 which is copper-coloured at the bottom, gradually becoming 

 much lighter towards the top; when growing, its leaves are 

 bright green. This variety usually has the preference for 

 pickling. The bulbs of the Jersey Shallot are larger and 

 rounder than those of the true variety, in fact, they more 

 nearly resemble a small onion. The skin is thin, of an even 

 coppery red, and when growing the leaves are of a greyish 

 green. This variety needs more space than the true Shallot, 

 as it yields a heavier crop, but does not keep so well, the bulbs 

 beginning to grow earlier in the spring. 



SPINACH. 



Spinacia oleracea. 



A LTHOUGH Spinach cannot be regarded as a staple crop 

 L\ in the market garden it is nevertheless a very useful one. 

 It cannot be included amongst the vegetables very popular 

 with the general public, and therefore the demand for it is not 

 great ; still, there is always a more or less steady sale for it in 

 moderate quantities. It is produced easily and quickly, the 

 summer crops being usually grown in the spaces between 



