128 POPULAR VEGETABLES 



and near the glass, the old system of sowing a number 

 of seeds in a pan or pot and, when large enough, pot- 

 ting up the seedlings singly not being advisable. The 

 seedlings receive a check when separated, and may col- 

 lapse unless there is a brisk bottom heat to help the 

 new root growth. It will be early enough to sow seeds 

 in April for planting out in May, and even then one 

 cannot often plant before the third week, unless hand- 

 glasses or a covering of some kind can be given, as the 

 Marrow is very tender. Excellent results come from 

 planting in frames which have had early Potatoes or 

 Carrots. The shelter of the frames for a few weeks is 

 exactly the thing needed, and once a good start has 

 been made the frames are no longer required. 



Another way is to place a large body of leaves, or, 

 better still, leaves and manure together, in mid-winter, 

 and plant on the surface, on which has been placed from 

 nine to twelve inches of good loam for the roots. The 

 leaves long retain the warmth, and if no glass covering 

 is available anything may be used at night or on cold 

 days to break the cold winds. Stakes and mats or even 

 boxes or boards may be used as an early protection. 



Late Marrows. Marrows raised for a later supply 

 will need less attention. Sow the seed in May, and 

 plant out in June. Growth will be freely made if ample 

 moisture is given. When a quantity of Marrows is 

 desired dig out a trench a few feet wide, and eighteen 

 inches deep, and fill in with hot manure, placing over 

 this some of the soil taken out of the trench, and then 

 sow the seeds, thinning to the strongest plants when 



