52 THE VEGETABLE CULTIVATOR. 



in dry seasons it is very hazardous, and the plants 

 will probably fail, unless well shaded and watered. 



The following way is generally practised, and is 

 by far the best, being unfailing and attended with 

 less labour. 



Prepare a trench about a foot wide, similar to 

 such as is made for celery, and into which a small 

 quantity of rotten dung has been previously dug. 

 If one trench is not sufficient, more can be prepared, 

 at the distance of four or five feet apart, which will 

 be found little enough when the plants come to be 

 earthed up, as they grow to a large size and five 

 feet high. 



In the centre of the trench draw a shallow drill, 

 and sow the seed an inch or two apart, and when 

 the young plants have grown about two inches 

 high, they should be thinned out to the distance of 

 ten or twelve inches, and gradually to a greater dis- 

 tance. During the summer they must be kept 

 clear from weeds, and, in dry weather, frequently 

 watered, as they require a good deal of moisture. 

 In the middle of October, when the plants have at- 

 tained nearly their full size, they should be prepared 

 for blanching. For this purpose a dry day is to 

 be chosen, when the plants are free from moisture. 

 The leaves of each plant are carefully and lightly 

 tied together with strong matting or small hay- 

 bands, removing such as are at all damaged or de- 

 cayed, keeping the whole upright, and the ribs of 

 the leaves together. The plant is then bound closely 

 round with twisted haybands, beginning at the 

 root, and continuing to about two thirds of its 

 height, the whole being covered so as to prevent 



