35° 



[Proc. B.N.F.O., 



obtaining the necessary ground that early in 1 9 1 8 there were no 

 fewer than 5,000 allotments. 



The lecturer went on to say that the ground must be well 

 dug, and if free water was present it should be got rid of by 

 drainage ; but it was most important that the film of water round 

 each particle of soil should be retained, therefore a fine tilth was 

 necessary. The best methods of digging were illustrated by 

 diagrams, and the use and abuse of manures were considered. It 

 was better not to manure too heavily, and the manure should 

 never be exposed in heaps which might breed house-flies, as these 

 on entering houses would infect food and possibly cause epidemics, 

 especially among children ; therefore all manure should be 

 covered by a thin layer of soil. 



Seeds were next dealt with and hints given as to the method 

 of purchase. It was further stated that the seed should be sown 

 thinly and in straight rows — it being easier to apply artificial 

 manure than if sown broadcast. Seed should be sown when 

 the weather was favourable. Watering should be done judiciously 

 and, except in the driest weather, was only necessary after 

 transplanting, the constant use of the hoe taking its place at all 

 other times. The care and cultivation of the potato crop was 

 next dealt with, and the method of combating the dreaded 

 blight was referred to. Attention was given to the all-important 

 subject of allotment food values, and holders were urged to study 

 this matter for themselves. It was possible to increase largely the 

 food value of the yield from any garden by growing only those 

 vegetables which gave good value, and eliminating such as the 

 vegetable marrow, which was lacking in food constituents and at 

 the same time took up a large amount of space which might be 

 more profitably used. Artichokes and parsnips were strongly 

 recommended instead of so many turnips which cannot compare 

 with the former from a nutritive standpoint. In conclusion, 

 garden friends and foes were dealt with. Birds did a great deal 

 of good by eating harmful pests. Insects such as the Ladybird 



