208 



and beet-root and dwarf cabbage, Mignonette, Phlox, Japan 

 Pinks, Nasturtiums, Lark- spur, Pansies, Stocks, Winter Gla- 

 dioli, Achimenes, Caladiums, Gloxinia, Dahlia, layer Verbenas 

 for beds, plant Potatoes. 



NOVEMBER. 



MADRAS. 

 Mean temperature, 78*9. Average fall of rain , 14'13 inches. 



This is the month for activity in the vegetable gardens, as but 

 few things arrive at much perfection which are not planted 

 before the end of this month. The principal crops of peaa 

 should be sown during the first week, and continued every three 

 days during the month ; also French beans, scarlet runners, 

 broad beans, and Windsor beans : the two last have rarely suc- 

 ceeded in Madras. Sow beet, knolkhol, cabbage, broccoli, and 

 cauliflower, in boxes : transplant from boxes into beds, and re- 

 move from beds into rows. Transplant celery and remove into 

 trenches. Plant out artichokes and asparagus. Broccoli and 

 cauliflower seed planted on the 25th of this month, and trans- 

 planted on the 20th December, in a sandy soil, with a small 

 quantity of horse dung soil with common manure, produced fine 

 heads on the 18th of February. They were watered by hand 

 for the first fortnight, and afterwards flooded in the usual way. 



Potatoes should be sown towards the end of this month. They 

 should be planted in light red soil in which no horse dung is 

 mixed. The potatoes should be cut according to the number of 

 eyes, taking care that each piece is of sufficient size. When 

 planted, not more than one inch or one and a half inches of soil 

 should be placed over it ; and it should not be watered oftener 

 than once in four days, even during the hottest weather. As it 

 grows up, the soil should be banked up to the stalk. Great care 

 should be taken not to give too much water, and not to put too 

 much soil upon the potato when first planted. 



It has lately been recommended to plant potatoes whole instead 

 of cutting them as formerly : it is also said that the produce is 

 much increased by taking off the flowers as they form ; but 

 potatoes flower so seldom in Madras, that it is hardly possible to 

 offer a practical opinion on the subject. 



