Reminders of Work to be Done. 373 



MAY. 



SEED-BEDS should be examined, and if any deficiencies 

 exist they should be made good by re-sowing in rich moist 

 soil, to encourage quick growth. Seedlings of all kinds should 

 be thinned out early, as there is nothing more likely to result in 

 second-rate crops than to allow them to become drawn and 

 weakly by overcrowding. Cauliflowers, lettuce, &c., should 

 be planted out at every opportunity. Stations for marrows, 

 ridge cucumbers, and other tender subjects should be prepared 

 by the middle of the month, and stakes or wires fixed on 

 the tomato ground preparatory to planting. After the middle 

 of the month those who have no conveniences for raising tender 

 plants on hot-beds may sow seed in the open, on well-prepared 

 stations; but some means of protecting the young plants 

 should be kept at hand, if only dry litter, or after they come 

 through the ground there is still the danger of late frosts 

 cutting them down. The hoe should be kept regularly at work 

 stirring the soil. 



In the French garden one of the most important matters is 

 the planting and training of Melons, with which most of the 

 frames are filled as they are removed from other crops. 

 Watering must also receive constant attention ; this is one of 

 the principal factors in producing the abundant and rapidly- 

 maturing crops for which this system is famous. In particular, 

 carrots and cauliflowers on the manure beds need watering 

 daily, and strawberries being forwarded in cold frames need 

 frequent applications of water and liquid manure. 



GENERAL OPERATIONS: p s a e g e e 



Globe Artichoke suckers may be planted for succession 142 



Beans (Dwarf) should be sown for main-crop in first or second week ... 157 

 Beans (Runner) should be sown for main-crop in second or third week.. 159 



Beet should be sown about the middle of the month 162 



Broccoli should be sown for spring and summer cutting ... ... ... 166 



Brussels Sprouts (early) should be planted out 168 



Cauliflowers should be sown at the beginning of the month 180 



Celery (early) should be planted in trenches or on broad beds ... 186 to 190 

 Chicory should be sown towards the end of the month ... ... ... 197 



Cos Lettuce should be sown 222 



