VEGETABLE GROWING 419 



differ in habit of growth slightly, or so far that whilst the majority trail in growth, sending 

 out long shoots, a few are of compact or bushy form, and are known as Bush Marrows. 

 These may be planted more closely than others, indeed each may be but 3 feet apart. 

 The trailing forms are, however, the best, being more varied and productive. They need 

 ample room to run, and seem to be most at home when trained over stiff hedges, sticks, 

 sheds, wood piles, or anything that keeps them from the ground. Of course the plants 

 must be rooted in the soil, and the ground should in all cases be deeply worked, well 

 manured, and be somewhat raised, as the plants like to be on small mounds. Still they 

 thrive well in hot, dry weather when liberally watered, provided they be not deluged too 

 near the stems. Those plants which make long, strong growths need occasional pinching 

 to cause the formation of other shoots which are more productive. Fruits of medium 

 size are best for cooking ; those left to produce seed should be very few and be of July 

 blooming. As Vegetable Marrows are very tender, it is unwise to expose them outdoors 

 until danger from late frosts is over. For that reason early in April is soon enough to 

 sow the seed in broad pots or pans, under glass. The seeds should be an inch apart at 

 least, and be buried half an inch. If a little artificial heat can be given in a greenhouse 

 or frame, growth is quicker. Still at that time of the spring sun warmth is usually 

 strong enough to produce very good growth, if more slowly. When the seedling 

 plants show one or two rough or new leaves, they should be carefully taken from the 

 seed pans, and be put singly into small pots or in pairs, one on each side, into 5-inch pots, 

 using some light good soil. After watering the plants should be placed in ample light, 

 where for a couple of weeks they will become strong. After that they may be placed in a 

 cool frame to harden, and then be stood outdoors in a sheltered place to more fully harden 

 before planting out. That may be done during the last week of May, except where the 

 position is very warm and night protection can be given, when they may go out a week 

 earlier. 



Sites for the plants should always be sheltered from strong east or north winds. Holes 

 to receive pairs of plants should be opened 4 to 5 feet apart each way, 2 feet across, and 

 i foot in depth. Into the bottom soil some manure should be forked, then other well- 

 decayed manure added to the thrown out soil as filled in, and thus a fair-sized mound is 

 formed, into the centre of which the plants should be put. If it be needful to furnish 

 some protection at night because of danger from frosts, hand-lights are best. Failing 

 these, boxes or large pots, or even baskets, over which a mat or sack or piece of canvas is 

 thrown, are good protectors. These may be put on late in the evening and be removed 

 next morning. But danger at that time of the year is shortlived. A few pairs of plants, 

 thus put out, will produce a great crop of fruits during the year. 



Good Varieties are: Long White, Long Green, Pen-y-Byd, Moore's Cream, and 

 Hibbard Prolific, short and roundish, and the quaint-shaped Custard Marrow, but which 

 is not the most profitable. For exhibition Long White is best. 



Autumn Protection. A common danger to Vegetable Marrows arises from unduly 

 early frosts in the autumn. Not infrequently it happens that a sharp frost in September 

 kills the plants, or otherwise they might go on fruiting for some three or four weeks 

 longer. It is good practice with the approach of the 2oth of September to draw the 

 plants more closely together, and to lay mats or other light covering over them at night, 

 but removing it early in the morning. With so much care taken plants will often give 

 far more fruit late than is needed to pay for the small trouble involved. 



Herbs. These are indispensable in a vegetable garden. Parsley, always much used 

 for garnishing, will give an ample supply if a row in a shallow drill be sown each year in 

 May, the plants being thinned out to 6 inches apart. Mint may be propagated by 

 putting tops in as cuttings under hand-lights, or in pots in a frame, in May ; also by 

 lifting the long, string-like roots in winter and planting some afresh in other soil. Sage 

 is easily increased by cutting branches from old plants and setting them deep in the 

 ground in May. Both Lemon and Common Thymes can be raised from seed, or be 

 lifted, pulled to pieces, and replanted, and thus increase stock. Both Marjoram and 

 Savory can be increased by seed sowing and division of old plants. Fennel is easily raised 

 from seed. These are the most useful Herbs. 



