1 104 



Gardening for Amateurs 



Some Minor Vegetables 



SGORZONERA. This is perhaps 

 the most uncommon of all winter 

 vegetables which find a place in our 

 gardens to-day. This is a matter for 

 regret, and one cannot help thinking that 

 if those who are loud in their complaints 

 regarding the limited selection of really 

 appetising winter vegetables were to give 

 this a fair frial, Scorzonera would soon 

 become more popular. Very few cultural 

 details are needed to ensure good roots, even 

 to the most inexperienced amateur. A six- 

 penny packet of seed contains sufficient for 

 quite a large bed, while ordinary manuring 

 should not be thought of. A soil calculated 

 to produce excellent roots is one which has 

 been deeply dug early in the winter and had 

 an occasional sprinkling of soot or wood- 

 ashes. The bed should be raked down level, 

 and trodden fairly firm early in March, and 

 the seed sown any time from then until the 

 middle of April. A foot or 15 inches must 

 be allowed between the rows, and about half 

 that distance between the plants. Beyond 

 keeping the bed free from weeds, nothing 

 more needs to be done, the roots being ready 

 for use from October onwards, when the crop 

 may be lifted and stored in sand. 



Chives. Chives are not frequently found 

 in the gardens of amateurs, yet they have 

 much to commend them to the favourable 

 notice of all kitchen gardeners, particularly 

 where the ordinary Onion is in constant 

 request for flavouring purposes. Their tops 

 form a first-rate substitute for Onions, and 

 have the advantage of being available for 

 use over a very long period. They may be 

 increased, either from seed or division of 

 the roots, and for all ordinary purposes the 

 latter is to be preferred. No special soil is 

 needed, although, where this is very rich 

 a small tuft soon develops into a large 

 clump. Planting should be done during 

 March or April, the distance between the 

 plants being from 9 to 12 inches. If pre- 

 ferred to raise the crop from seed, this should 

 be sown at the same time, transplanting the 

 seedlings when about 4 inches high. When 

 once Chives are planted, the roots may be 



left without disturbance for several years, 

 cutting the tops level with the ground 

 periodically, whether wanted or not. The 

 colour of the flowers is deep violet, and for 

 this reason we sometimes find the plants 

 put to form an edging to other beds in the 

 kitchen garden. 



Salsafy. Undoubtedly this is one of the 

 most delicious of all ordinary winter vege- 

 tables, yet, strange to say, it meets with 

 scant favour from those who own small 

 gardens. Perhaps the reason for this is that 

 the majority of amateurs fail to observe that 

 one of the essentials is to dispense with 

 manure of all kinds. Ground likely to pro- 

 duce fine roots of this is that which was 

 well prepared for a previous crop, such as 

 Celery or Peas ; the deep cultivation and 

 heavy manuring usually given for these 

 invariably leaves the ground in what gar- 

 deners term " good heart," and suitable for 

 tap-rooted vegetables. On the other hand, 

 if fresh manure is used, the roots, instead 

 of being the shape and approaching the 

 size of a well-grown Carrot, have several 

 tap-roots, neither of which has the least 

 culinary value. Where no plot such as that 

 suggested already exists, the intending grower 

 is advised to get a plot of garden specially 

 prepared by double digging or trenching. As 

 this work proceeds a few shovelfuls of old 

 mortar rubble or burnt garden refuse will 

 be an advantage, or if the soil is very heavy 

 finely sifted coal ashes are admissible, or 

 road scrapings from a road not much fre- 

 quented by motor traffic. The seed is sown 

 thinly early in May, in drills not less than 

 15 inches apart, the seedlings being eventu- 

 ally thinned to about 9 inches apart. Summer 

 treatment consists in keeping the bed free 

 from weeds, a weekly surface-stirring being 

 advisable. Growth will be complete by the 

 end of October, and the crop may be used 

 forthwith. When taking Salsafy from the 

 ground more than ordinary care should be 

 observed, or damage will result. The crop, 

 being quite hardy, may be permitted to 

 occupy the bed all the winter, digging the 

 roots as required, but should the grower 



