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AMATEUR CULTIVATOR S GUIDE 



Culture. — This plant succeeds best in a light well-enriched soil, which, previous to sowing, 

 should be stirred to the depth of twelve or fourteen inches. Sow the seed in drills half an inch 

 deep, and ten inches apart, early in the spring. Thin them out, when an inch high, to four or six 

 inches apart. Keep the ground clear of weeds, giving them the general culture of carrots. They 

 are perfectly hardy, and may remain out all winter. Store a quantity for winter's use, packed in 

 earth or sand. Those remaining in the ground should be dug before commencing growth in spring. 



per oz. 

 Salsify, or Oyster Plant. Per pkt, lo 25 



©corzonera, or Slack Salsify (Scorzonera Hispanica). 



German, Schwarz'umrzel. — French, Scorxonere. — Spanish, Escorzonera. 



per oz. 

 Cultivated like the common Oyster Plant, which it much resembles in its mode of growth. 



It is also prepared for the table in the same manner. Per pkt., 10 ... 25 



®ea I^ale (Crambe Maritama). 

 German, Selkohl Meerkohl. — French, Crambe Maritime. — Spanish, Breton de mar. 

 This plant is found growing on the seacoast of Europe, particularly in England. It is closely 

 related to the Cabbage, and can be obtained with very little trouble. The mode of dressing this 

 vegetable for the table is the same as that for Asparagus, which it much resembles. 



Culture. — The seeds may be sown in April, in drills an inch and a half deep, and fourteen or 

 sixteen inches asunder. The soil must be previously well enriched, and thoroughly trenched. 

 Let the plants remain until the following spring, then transplant them in rows three feet apart, and 

 eighteen inches apart in the rows. The eai-th should be occasionally stirred when the rains have 

 run the surface together. Late in the fall, cover the crowns of the plants with a few inches of earth, 

 making a ridge over the rows about a foot and a half high. After the cutting is over in the spring, 

 level the earth into trenches, adding a good coat of strong manure. 



per oz. 

 Sea Kale. Per pkt., 10 30 



Spinacli (Spinacia Oleracea). 

 German, Spinat. — French, Epinard. — Spanish, Espiiiaca. 

 Spinach is very hardy, and consequently a very important vegetable for cold climates. It is ex- 

 tremely wholesome and palatable. 



Culture. — Spinach is best developed and most tender when grown in rich soil. It should be 

 heavily manured and deeply trenched. Sow early in March for summer crop, in drills, which 

 method renders the cultivation and the gathering of the produce more convenient. Encourage tlie 

 growth with frequent hoeing, which draws the moisture to the roots. For a succession, a few seeds 

 of the summer varieties may be sown, at intervals of a fortnight, from April to August, Sow from 

 the middle of August to the beginning of September, for the winter crop, in a light sandy soil, on 

 raised beds, which enables it better to stand the severe frost. This, too, must'be well manured, 

 and deeply trenched. Scatter the seed thinly in drills as for the summer varieties, one to three 

 inches deep, from twelve to eighteen inches apart, and cover them with the finest of the soil. Thin 

 the plants as soon as they are strong enough to draw, leaving them about nine inches apart in the 

 row. Two ounces of seed will plant five drills, each forty feet long. 



per 01. 

 Round or Summer. Leaves large, thick, and fleshy; rounded at the ends ; a little 



crimped ; in general use for early planting. Per pkt., 5 10 



Fall, or Prickly. Leaves seven or eight mches long ; halbert-shaped ; thin in texture, and 

 nearly erect ; one of the hardiest, and most generally used for fall planting. Per 



pkt., s . . . _ . . . . .10 



Lettuce-leaved. Leaves large, thick, dark green, and of superior quality; should be sown 



in the spring. Per pkt., 10 15 



New Zealand. A large-growing variety, requiring a warm rich soil. Its superiority over 

 other varieties consists in the fact that it grows luxuriantly, and produces leaves of 

 the greatest succulency, in the hottest weather. Per pkt., 10 .... 30 



Flander's. A very hardv and productive variety, of superior quality. Per pkt., 5 . . 10 



Sqtiasli (Cucurbita Melo Pepo). 

 German, Kurbiss. — French, Courge. — Spanish, Calabasa iontanera. 



The several varieties of the Squash are very useful in this and other warm climates, as they on 

 be grown to perfection in the summer. It is in general use from June to August, and the late vari- 

 eties the whole winter until May. It is extensively cultivated in this vicinity for the market. 



Culture. — Any good enriched soil is adapted to the growth of the Squash. They only thrive 

 well in a wann temperature, as all the varieties are tender annuals ; and the seed should not be 

 sown in spring until all danger from frost is past, and the ground is warm and thoroughly settled. 

 The hills should be made from eight to ten inches in depth, m.inured well, and covered about ihree- 

 fourths of an inch deep. Keep the earth about the plants loose and clean, removing the surplus 

 vines from time to time, allowing not more than three plants to a hill. The custom of cutting or 

 nipping off the leading shoots of the running varieties is now practised to some extent, with the im- 

 pression that it both facilitates the formation of fruitful laterals and the early maturing of the fruit. 

 Whether the amount of product is increased by the process, is rot yet determined. 



