108 THE VEGETABLE CULTIVATOR. 



of leaves, when the ground should be hoed over, 

 and the mould drawn out of the drills and levelled 

 round the plants, which will accelerate their growth. 

 It will also considerably forward them for blanch- 

 ing, which should be done as soon as they have ex- 

 panded a sufficient quantity of leaves for tying : the 

 sooner this is done the better, as they are very apt 

 to start for seed at this early season, after which 

 they are good for nothing. 



For a successional and more permanent crop, 

 seed of both the sorts should be sown towards the 

 middle of June, and treated, with regard to water, 

 &c., in the same way as was advised for the first 

 sowing. The same method, if acted upon with all 

 small seeds in the course of the summer, will be 

 found of essential service. As soon as the plants 

 attain a sufficient growth, proceed to transplant 

 them exactly in the same manner as stated for the 

 first ; perhaps a few inches wider apart may be re- 

 quisite ; and, if more than one row is required, 

 always set the plants in the triangular or quincunc 

 method, as they will have considerably more room 

 to grow, ajid be less liable to rot in the course of 

 blanching. For this purpose, as the season advances, 

 a dry day must be chosen, and as it will take about 

 three weeks from the time of tying them, until they 

 are properly blanched for use, a j udgment may be 

 formed as to how many it will be necessary to tie 

 up at a time. 



For a late winter and spring crop, a third sowing 

 will be requisite about the latter end of July and 

 beginning of August ; and from this a sufficiency of 

 plants may be raised for a continuance throughout 



