26 



Gardening for Amateurs 



), 1 foot apart, in rows not less than 

 ^ a feet distant from each other. 



' Broad Beans. Make a good sowing of 

 the Windsor type on well-prepared ground 

 for the main crop. Sow in double rows 

 3 feet apart, the Beans being placed not 

 closer than 6 inches in the rows. 



Broccoli. For cutting during the autumn 

 sow Michaelmas White now in drills inch 

 deep, and 6 inches apart. As a protection 

 against ground pests it is advisable to moisten 

 the seed and cover with red lead before 

 so whig. 



Brussels Sprouts. To follow plants 

 raised from a sowing made earlier in the 

 year under glass sow seed of the variety 

 called Exhibition now, and treat similarly 

 to Broccoli. 



Cabbages. This vegetable provides an 

 excellent " standby " in the garden through- 

 out the year, and successive sowings will 

 ensure heads being obtained at all times. 

 To follow the Spring Cabbages sow Earliest 

 and Tender and True now. 



Leeks. Seeds for the main crop of this 



vegetable should be sown in good soil, either 

 broadcast or in shallow drills. Lyon and 

 Musselburgh are reliable varieties. 



Spinach Beet. Where Spinach is in 

 constant demand this excellent substitute 

 should certainly be grown, as large leaves 

 are available at almost all seasons, hence 

 its other name of Perpetual Spinach. A 

 sowing made now will ensure a supply 

 throughout the summer. Thin the plants 

 early to 6 inches apart in the rows. 



Transplanting Onions. Autumn-sown 

 Onions should be transplanted to a well- 

 prepared bed made quite firm, putting the 

 plants 9 inches apart. Make them secure 

 without burying at all deeply. 



Sowing Tomatoes. To provide plants 

 for outdoor culture sow seeds of Sunrise 

 Tomato 1 inch apart in pots of good soil, 

 and place in a greenhouse temperature of 

 60. When the seedlings appear keep them 

 in full light to prevent their becoming 

 weakly or " drawn." 



Early Potatoes. Plant on a sheltered 

 border tubers of reliable varieties. 



Erecting Pergolas. Anyone taking in 

 hand the erection of arches, pergolas, etc., 

 with Larch poles, or even Oak, will find that 

 the wood is prevented from splitting by 

 coating the nails with soap before attempting 

 to drive them in. 



Soil for Lily of the Valley. Lilies 

 delight in a deep, rich rooting medium, and 

 when they have occupied one position for a 

 number of years the soil naturally becomes 

 impoverished, so that the plants are unable 

 to produce such fine flowers as previously. 

 Therefore if your Lilies have given indica- 

 tions of deteriorating, lift them hi September, 

 and either replant in the same positions after 

 enriching the soil, or give them a fresh site 

 altogether. 



Protecting Chrysanthemums Against 

 Fog. Winter fogs are disastrous to Chrys- 

 anthemums. Their baneful influence can 

 be effectively prevented, however, by the 

 application of the following preparation: 

 one teaspoonful of ammonia to the pint of 

 water per thousand cubic feet. The saucer 

 or pan in which the mixture is placed should 



be open at the top, in order to allow the 

 searching odour to penetrate every corner of 

 the structure as the liquid evaporates. 



Sterilising Leaf-mould. Leaf-mould is 

 of great value in the garden. The decaying 

 leaves form a fine home for insects, either 

 active or dormant, while many insect-eggs 

 will be found there also. As the compost heats 

 in the moist atmosphere of the greenhouse 

 these pests become lively and may do much 

 damage, hence the necessity of getting rid 

 of them before the mould is required. Soot 

 mixed with the leaves is quite a good in- 

 secticide, and lime is occasionally used for 

 the same purpose. Much more effective 

 preparations can be made by pouring a gill 

 of household ammonia into a gallon of water, 

 or the same quantity of formalin into 3 

 gallons ; spray the heap, then turn it up to 

 expose dry material and water it again, 

 continuing the process until all the heap is 

 moistened ; cover with bags and leave it thus 

 for a week. Petrol from the garage may be 

 poured directly into the loose mould at the 

 rate of a gill per half bushel. 



