March Sowing and Planting 



a supply of main crop vegetables. If the land was dug 

 and manured during autumn and winter, as the plots be- 

 came vacant, it will crumble to a fine tilth as the month 

 progresses, and sowing may be carried out with conveni- 

 ence. It is, however, unwise to sow seeds in sodden and 

 lumpy ground. It is better to wait until it has dried 

 somewhat ; no time will really be lost, for seeds will not 

 vegetate in cold, wet soil. If the land has been thrown 

 up roughly, or in the form of ridges for the winter, it 

 ought now to be levelled and as fine a surface as possible 

 obtained. 



Spring Cabbage. This is greatly appreciated, and a 

 little attention given now is followed by good results. 

 Weeds ought to be destroyed, and if the ground is fairly 

 dry the soil between the rows should be hoed. A slight 

 scattering of nitrate of soda may be sprinkled among the 

 plants and hoed beneath the soil. 



Seakale, the roots of which were selected in autumn 

 and have since been stored in soil in a cool, frost-proof 

 place, may be planted now on deeply cultivated ground. 

 They are put about 18 inches apart, the tops just beneath 

 the surface, all shoots except the strongest first being re- 

 moved. It is wise to sprinkle soot and lime around them 

 to keep off slugs. 



Early Potatoes may be planted on a warm border, the 

 tubers about 12 inches apart in rows from 15-18 inches 

 from each other. On heavy ground it is best to put light, 

 leafy soil immediately beneath the tubers, which ought 

 to have been sprouted in boxes as already explained. Re- 

 move all except two of the sprouts. May Queen and Mid- 

 lothian Early are suitable varieties. 



If it is intended to grow Celery it is as well to prepare 

 the trenches ; they ought to be about 12 inches deep, 

 rotted manure being dug in, for Celery needs rich and 

 retentive soil. If each trench is 2 feet wide it will accom- 

 modate two rows of plants. On the ridges between the 

 trenches these ought to be 4 or 5 feet apart it is 



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