Gardening for Amateurs 



1105 



decide to store at least a portion of the 

 roots, these will remain in a plump condi- 

 tion if placed between layers of sand or 

 dry soil, a plan far better than putting 

 them in a heap without covering ; the roots 

 then shrivel, and are of little use. 



Celeriac. Although not extensively 

 grown, this has many good points which 

 should ensure it favourable notice from the 

 small grower, particularly those who like 

 Celery, for Celeriac makes an excellent sub- 

 stitute. Seed may be sown in warmth or 

 on a hotbed any time during March or April, 

 using sandy soil, covering the seed slightly 

 with sand. When large enough to handle, 

 the seedlings should be pricked out into 

 shallow boxes filled with similar soil, a dis- 

 tance of about 1| inches being allowed be- 

 tween each. After the plants have taken a, 

 firm hold of the soil, the boxes are placed in 

 a frame. Watering must be carefully per- 

 formed. Planting in the open garden is 

 done any time after the middle of May ; on 

 their removal from the boxes, any little side- 

 shoots noticed ought to be taken off. Celer- 

 iac is a moisture-loving plant, so that on 

 light soil it is better to plant in shallow drills 

 instead of on the level, but where the soil 

 is heavy no trench or drill is needed ; place 

 them about 12 inches apart. From July 

 onwards the runs should be watered freely, 

 either with clear water or liquid manure, or, 

 failing the latter, sprinkle a little salt or 

 artificial manure between the plants, hoeing 

 it well into the soil. By the end of the 

 summer each plant will have made a large 

 flat, Turnip-shaped root, and this is the 

 part having culinary value. After divesting 

 them of all save the central leaves, the roots 

 are stored in boxes filled with dry sand or 

 ashes, and a cold outhouse will afford better 

 winter quarters than a warm shed. Should 

 circumstances not permit storage in the 

 manner indicated, the crop may be left in 

 the open garden, and at the approach of 

 bad weather, draw soil to the row exactly 

 as for Potatoes. 



Gouve Tronchuda. This vegetable, 

 which is widely grown in large gardens under 

 the name of Portugal Cabbage, possesses good 

 qualities not found in any other of our 

 popular winter greens of easy cultivation. 

 It is not sufficiently hardy to withstand any- 

 thing more than an ordinary winter, but if 

 the seed is sown at the right time the plants 

 will be at their best some weeks before the 

 close of the year, a period rarely character- 

 ised by much severe weather. The large 

 leaves, which in themselves are, when 

 cooked, a very great advance upon ordinary 

 cabbage, are supported by long, fleshy 

 stems and midribs, these forming an ex- 

 cellent substitute for the more expensive 

 Seakale or Asparagus. To do it justice, 

 this plant requires a long season of growth 

 and rich soil ; though it is sometimes recom- 

 mended to sow the seeds in warmth, an 

 outdoor sowing in a warm border should 

 suffice for all ordinary purposes. Sturdy 

 growth is of the utmost importance, and for 

 this reason it is advisable to sow the seed 

 very thinly, in drills half filled with sifted 

 soil. The first sowing is made towards the 

 end of March, and as soon as the plants can 

 be conveniently handled they must be trans- 

 ferred to warm borders, where the soil has 

 been made rich by the addition of old hot- 

 bed manure or leaf -soil. From 6 to 8 inches 

 are allowed between the plants, thu^ ensur- 

 ing uninterrupted growth and sturdy plants, 

 well supplied with fibrous roots, by the 

 middle of June or early July. At this time 

 a warm corner should be found for them, 

 and instead of planting on the level, put 

 them in drills made with the hoe. Use a 

 trowel for planting, and allow not less than 

 2 1 feet between the plants. Give ample 

 supplies of water until they get well hold of 

 the soil, and from July onwards, instead of 

 pure water, give a soaking of liquid manure 

 once a fortnight. Should a period of sharp 

 frost set in before the crop is ready, it is 

 advisable to lift the best of them and store in 

 an upright position at the foot of a warm wall. 



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