VEGETABLES IN TRENCHES 69 



sowings should be made in May or June, in trenches, a few seeds 

 being dropped at three feet intervals, slightly covered with 

 earth and, if possible, shaded until germination takes place. 

 The trenches should be dug out of good soil, in an open situa- 

 tion, two feet wide, and eighteen inches deep. The soil at the 

 bottom of the trench should be deeply dug, at the same time 

 incorporating therewith a thick layer of well-rotted manure. 

 When the seedlings appear, all but the strongest one in each 

 group should be removed, thereafter keeping the trench well 

 watered until September, when growth will be almost com- 

 pleted. Of course, those sown earlier in heat, and planted out, 

 will mature long before September. When commencing to 

 earth the plants up for blanching which operation should be 

 done on a fine day and when the soil is dry the leaves should 

 be carefully brought together to an upright position, and tied 

 with pieces of matting. Haybands, matting, or similar material 

 must be provided, one end placed around the base of the plants, 

 and the band wound upwards around the stems until only the 

 tops of the foliage are seen ; thus the plant is fully protected 

 from contact with the soil, which is now drawn carefully towards 

 the stems, first breaking up the ground as finely as possible. 

 The ridge thus formed is beaten with the back of the spade 

 to make it firm. Four to six weeks elapse ere the stalks are 

 blanched. Cardoons will not stand frost. The plants may be 

 lifted and stored in dry cellars amidst sand, or litter may be 

 placed along and over the ridges as a protection. Lifting is 

 to be preferred, however, as the stems are liable to rot in wet 

 weather. 



