1074 



Gardening for Amateurs 



freshness in a Cucumber carries many points 

 with the judges. Select the most promising 

 young fruit or two in the frame, and remove 

 all others on the same shoot. Then secure 

 what is termed a Cucumber glass a glass 

 cylinder placed round the young fruit, with 

 the result that it comes out straight and 

 shapely. The faded flower at the end of a 

 well-grown Cucumber ought to remain in- 

 tact when the fruit is cut. Air must only 

 be given when the temperature rises above 

 75 Fahr., and this only happens in bright 

 weather. Protection is necessary through- 

 out April and May, especially on cold nights. 

 There is nothing better for this purpose than 

 mats. 



VARIETIES. One of the most popular 

 varieties is Rochford's Market, but for 

 quality and cropping and general useful- 

 ness we have nothing better than Every 

 Day. For exhibition Lockie's Perfection is 

 recommended. 



Gherkin. These should be planted in 

 rich soil, in a sunny position, the first 

 week in June. Protect with handlights 

 or cloches, until they have made a good 

 start. Keep clear of weeds, and see to the 

 watering of them in dry weather. They will 

 require little or no further attention, and 

 are treated in the same way as Vegetable 

 Marrows. Stock wood and Long Prickly are 

 amongst the best varieties. 



Dandelion. We often come across this 

 plant as a weed in lawns and gardens, and 

 seldom greet it as a friend. When grown and 

 blanched in winter in the same way as de- 

 scribed for Chicory, it is excellent for salads. 



Egg Plant (Aubergine). We grow this 

 plant chiefly for ornamental purposes ; the 

 purple, black, or white fruits, of the size of 

 an egg, are produced freely. On the Con- 

 tinent the Aubergine is commonly grown 

 for use, the purple and black varieties being 

 preferred. It is cooked in various ways. 

 It may be stuffed with chopped meat or 

 herbs, and baked, or it may be cut into slices 

 and fried in oil. Egg plants are easily raised 

 from seed sown in a warm greenhouse in 

 February, and need much the same treat- 

 ment as Tomatoes grown in pots. 



Endive. Endive is one of our most valued 

 autumn, winter, and spring salad plants. It 

 is very easy to grow, and by sowing a small 



quantity of seed once a month from early 

 in April to July a succession is available for 

 salad. It likes a rich soil, and should be 

 planted 12 inches apart in rows 15 inches 

 asunder. The green curled variety is the 

 best for autumn supply, and the Batavian 

 for winter and spring, because it is hardier. 

 Endive is readily blanched. The process 

 should not be commenced until the plants 

 are nearly full grown. In early summer 

 and autumn there is no better way than to 

 place a clean tile or slate over each plant, 

 or the points of the leaves may be tied to- 

 gether and covered with an empty flower- 

 pot, closing the hole with a piece of slate 

 or turf. Absolute darkness is essential. In 

 winter, Endive Is blanched like Chicory, in a 

 dark room or cellar, the plants being placed 

 in soil in shallow boxes. 



Garlic. Plant the cloves (roots) early in 

 February in any odd corner of the garden 

 where the soil is fairly good, 8 inches apart, 

 in rows 1 foot distant from each other. The 

 roots ripen early, and as soon as the tops 

 are withered they are taken up, and, after 

 being exposed to the sun for a week or ten 

 days, are stored in a cool place. 



Gourd or Pumpkin. Most of these are 

 " gross feeders," and when planted in an old 

 heap of decayed manure they produce fine 

 fruits in abundance ; many of them are 

 handsome, of gorgeous colours and various 

 shapes. They form useful plants for pergolas 

 or arches. Sow the seeds early in April in 

 warmth , and grow the plants under glass 

 until they have formed four or five leaves. 

 They should then be placed in a cool frame 

 to harden off before being planted out early 

 in June. Plant in rich soil and give water 

 when necessary. The Gourds are tender 

 and should be protected with hand-lights or 

 cloches for a few days after planting. The 

 following are good sorts : The Crown or 

 Custard, The Large Yellow Naples, The 

 Nutmeg, The Patagonian, and The Turk's 

 Cap. On the Continent they are prized as 

 vegetables when young. 



Horseradish. As a rule, the Horse- 

 radish is neglected in gardens ; once planted, 

 it is left to take care of itself. Under these 

 conditions the roots are poor and stringy, 

 and the flavour is indifferent. The roots 

 should be planted in deeply trenched and 





