Mav.] the KITCHEN GARDEN. 37 J 



Indian Corn. 



The Zea mays, or Indian corn, is frequently required from the 

 gardener for early use. For this purpose, procure some seed of the 

 earliest kind, and select a piece of dry, sandy, and tolerably rich 

 ground, in a warm exposure. After preparing it as if for peas, &c. 

 form shallow drills about two inches deep, at the distance of six 

 feet from each other; drop the seed therein two feet and a half 

 asunder, and two grains in each place; strew a little wood-ashes 

 in the drills, then cover the seed as you would peas. As the plants 

 advance in growth, earth them up two or three times. For an early 

 crop, you may plant the seed, in the middle states, about the first 

 of this month, or ten days earlier should the season prove very 

 favourable. 



This method is exclusively intended for the garden culture of 

 the small early kinds. 



Early Cauliflowers. 



The early cauliflower plants, as they advance in growth, should 

 have the earth drawn up about their stems, and in dry weather be 

 occasionally watered, which will cause the heads to grow to a much 

 greater size than they otherwise would. 



Towards the latter end of the month, the plants will begin to 

 show their flowers, when they should frequently be looked over, 

 and as these appear in an advanced growth, not before, let some of 

 the largest leaves be broke down over them to defend them from 

 sun and wet, whereby they will be preserved in their natural colour, 

 firmness and beauty; for if left fully exposed to the weather, it 

 would change their peculiar whiteness to a yellowish hue, and oc- 

 casion them to open sooner than if treated in this manner. 



Planting Cauliflowers. 



The plants from the late spring sowings, should now, according 

 as they arrive at a sufficient size, be planted out as directed in page 

 315. Very few of these will produce flowers till October, but then 

 you may expect some fine heads. 



Solving Cauliflower Seed. 



You may now sow cauliflower seed for a late crop. Should the 

 plants from this sowing not produce heads before November, they 

 are then to be taken up and managed as directed in that month, 

 by which means they will continue to produce fine flowers all 

 winter, when such will be very acceptable. 



Cabbages. 



Draw earth about the stems of your early cabbages, and all others 

 that are advanced in growth; this will strengthen them considera- 

 bly, and cause them to produce fine large heads. 



