May Lilac Time 



Dwarf French Beans are sown now 3 or 4 inches apart 

 in rows from 12 to 15 inches distant from each other. 

 Butter Beans are treated similarly. 



Seed of Beetroot is now sown in shallow drills 10 

 inches apart. The seedlings are thinned to 7 or 8 inches. 

 This crop needs to be grown in ground that has not 

 been manured recently, though it must be deeply dug. 

 Dell's Crimson and Cheltenham Green Top are reliable 

 varieties. 



Various Herbs may be raised from seed at this 

 season, such, for example, as Parsley, Sage and 

 Marjoram. Mint and Thyme are easily increased by 

 taking up and dividing the clumps and replanting 

 rooted portions. 



Ridge Cucumbers, Those who have no convenience 

 for growing Cucumbers in a frame or greenhouse should 

 try the ridge varieties, seeds of which may be sown 

 out of doors this month, in a bed of soil over a small 

 hotbed of leaves and manure. The seedlings need pro- 

 tection in the event of cold weather ; they should not 

 be closer together than 2 feet. The top of each plant 

 must be pinched off to cause the formation of side 

 shoots. Plants of Cucumber that were raised under 

 glass last month may now be planted in a frame ; a 

 small mound of compost is placed upon a hotbed and 

 the seedling planted in this. 



Early Potatoes should be earthed up, first scattering 

 a little soot around the plants. The soil must be broken 

 up finely, otherwise the work cannot be carried out 

 satisfactorily. Plant the earliest raised seedlings of 

 Celery in trenches ; sow Peas. Scatter soot among 

 spring - sown Onions and hoe frequently between the 

 rows of all vegetables. Thin seedlings as this im- 

 portant work becomes necessary. 



Mushrooms may now be grown in a cool, open shed, 

 such, for example, as one that faces north. Sufficient 

 horse manure is collected to form a bed not less than 



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