KITCHEN-GARDENING. 23 



unpropitious seasons, from unfitness of the soil to promote vege- 

 tation, rendered so by cold rains and variable weather. If 

 sprouted seed survive a severe chill, it is the more susceptible 

 of frost, to which it is frequently subjected early in the season. 

 Some species of plants that, in an advanced stage of growth, 

 will stand a hard winter, are often cut off by a slight frost while 

 germinating, especially if exposed to the heat of the sun after 

 a frosty night, or while in a frozen state. Cabbage, Carrot, 

 Celery, Turnip, and many other growing plants, which survive 

 the ordinary vrhiters of England, are here classified as half- 

 hardy, for the reasons above stated. 



The most tender species of plants frequently perish from 

 excess of rain. Lima Beans, for instance, have often to be 

 replanted three or four times in the month of May before any 

 will stand. Melons, Cucumbers, Egg-plants, Tomato plants, 

 etc., are sometimes cut off by variableness of the weather. 

 Those who plant tender things in open gardens early in the 

 season, must reconcile themselves to loss in the event of 

 unfavorable weather, instead of throwing blame on the seeds- 

 man. 



Such species and varieties as, from their nature, are apt to 

 vegetate qnicMy, are very liable to be devoured by insects 

 before they make any show on the surface. Turnip-seed, for 

 instance, will sprout within forty-eight hours after being sown ; 

 and under favorable circumstances, most of the species of this 

 class will come up within a week ; but if insects attack the 

 seed-beds in dry Aveather, a total loss of crops will be the con- 

 sequence. Every experienced farmer is convinced of this fact, 

 by having frequently to sow his Turnip-ground three or four 

 times before he can get any to stand. 



Sometimes a sudden shower of rain will cause plants to 

 grow out of the reach of insects ; but every good gardener 

 should have his remedies at hand to apply to seed-beds in 

 general, and especiaUy to those in which plants are raised for 

 the purpose of being transplanted. The seeds of some plants 

 require from two to three or four weeks to vegetate in unfa- 



