1050 



Gardening for Amateurs 



January or February, or even March on 

 some heavy land. For spring sowing such 

 sorts as Pilot, Essex Star, Green Gem and 

 Telegraph are all largely grown. Xo sticks 

 are used, and the rows of these field Peas 

 are closer together than when grown in the 

 ordinary way. Frequently a crop of round 

 Radishes is sown at the time of sowing the 

 Peas, the latter in the ordinary way in 

 drills, and the Radishes broadcast over the 

 whole of the ground. The Radishes are 

 pulled and marketed before the Peas have 

 made much growth, and seldom interfere to 

 any extent with the cultivation of the Peas. 

 Nitrate of soda in small doses is given to 

 help this crop along, but the land should be 

 in first-rate condition from previous manur- 

 ing and general high-class cultivation. Late 

 Peas sown are Senator and Charles I. The 

 first of the two is seen on the market more 

 frequently than any other late in the season, 

 and is a really good variety. 



Potato. It is to be feared that the growing 

 of very early Potatoes for the home markets 

 is not nearly such a profitable proposition 

 to-day as it was a few years ago. Still, with 

 suitable land and a warm position, the crop 

 is a tempting one, as it is out of the way in 

 time for a crop of green stuff of one kind or 

 another. Duke of York, Midlothian Early 

 and Sharpe's Express are three good varieties 

 for the purpose. Plant out early in March 

 in thoroughly cultivated land. Remember 

 that potash in some form or other is highly 

 necessary in the cultivation of Potatoes, 

 whether for early or late digging. Main 

 crop Potatoes for the smallholder are not 

 greatly recommended ; enough should be 

 grown to render the grower independent of 

 outside supplies for his own use, but for 

 growing on any considerable scale for market 

 the holder must consider what his nearest 

 markets are likely to return him. He must 

 also find out if his soil is suitable for growing 

 Potatoes of first-class quality. It is not 

 often that prices are really high, and it is 

 necessary that this crop should be grown 

 and lifted with a minimum of hand labour, 

 or it cannot be produced at a profit, taking 

 as a basis for consideration the general 

 prices ruling during recent years. 



Radish. As a spring crop this is often 

 one of the most important of the year for 



the small grower. The first crops are sown 

 in December and early January on warm 

 banks and borders. The land must be light 

 and rich to ensure quick growth. After the 

 seeds are sown, good clean wheat straw, 

 3 or 4 inches thick, is placed over the beds 

 until the seed germinates. It is then lightly 

 raked off in the daytime and replaced at 

 night when frosts are imminent. A really 

 severe frost may destroy the crop, and this 

 occasionally occurs, but the growers gener- 

 ally proceed to sow again as quickly as 

 possible. On warm borders under fruit 

 trees the crop is quite successful, as it is 

 pulled and marketed by the time the trees 

 are in leaf. A long-rooted sort, such as 

 Long Scarlet, is usually grown for this early 

 work. Later crops are secured from amongst 

 early Peas, sometimes from between Straw- 

 berries and similar positions. These later 

 sowings are generally of round varieties or 

 French Breakfast. In some districts the 

 bunches are sold at so much per dozen, in 

 others they are sold at per twenty dozen, or 

 score, as it is called. As a rule, the earlier 

 the Radishes the smaller the bunches, from 

 five to eight roots being placed in each 

 bunch. 



Sage. The smallholder may well pay 

 some attention to this herb. There is 

 occasionally over-production and low prices. 

 Pieces of plants set out in autumn usually 

 grow and quickly spread. Plant about 

 2 feet apart each way. Usually sold per 

 dozen bunches at from 2d. to 4d. per 

 dozen. 



Savoy. There is a big market in these 

 vegetables, and a large demand exists in 

 industrial centres. Tremendous quantities 

 are sent to the mining districts of South 

 Wales in the season. Sow in March and 

 plant out in rich land directly the plants are 

 large enough. Hoe as needed, and dress 

 twice with nitrate of soda at the rate of 

 1 cwt. per acre. Usually sold by the dozen 

 (thirteen), wholesale prices being from 6d. 

 to Is. These prices are for fair -sized 

 samples. Small stuff is generally packed 

 into large crates and sold at 2s. to 3s. 6d. 

 per crate. It is an easy crop to grow, and 

 usually pays very well. The old Drumhead 

 is still grown, but many market growers 

 prefer Best of All. 



