206 VEGETABLES. 



rotted manure, leaf-mould, night-soil, wood-ashes, and sand. 

 Carefully lift the plants with a hand-fork, to preserve the ball 

 as whole as possible, and plant them in the trench at one foot 

 apart. Press the earth lightly around them, and then give a 

 thorough soaking of water to settle the soil around the roots. 

 After the plants are dry, place a piece of thick brown paper 

 around the stalks of each (leaving the tops free), which will 

 support them and prevent the soil getting in the heart of the 

 plant, and assist in the blanching of the stalks. A little earth 

 should be drawn up around the paper to keep it in position. 

 If the weather is dry, copious waterings are necessary to 

 ensure a free firm growth. In a few weeks they will be grow- 

 ing freely, and will require earthing up. The paper "collar" 

 should be slipped up, and the stalks being all in proper posi- 

 tion, a little dry sawdust or sand should be placed closely 

 around them, and banked up with the earth dug out of the 

 trench. When the plants are growing freely, weak liquid 

 manure and top-dressings of artificial manures are beneficial ; 

 but discretion is required not to overdo the use of stimulants. 

 Manures in excess produce coarse rank stalks, worthless, as a 

 rule, for exhibition purposes. Good rich soil, with a moderate 

 amount of manure, and a judiciously regulated supply of liquid 

 and artificial manures during growth, produce the best results. 

 In dry warm weather the plants are refreshed by a sprinkling 

 from a watering-pot in the evening, scattering a little common 

 salt among the plants previous to the sprinkling. Earthing 

 should be carefully attended to till the stems are blanched to 

 the desired length, which, however, should never be obtained 

 at the sacrifice of girth, the first object being thick, solid, 

 crisp stalks, and then length of blanched stem. 



The points of merit are : (1.) Size (length and girth) of 

 blanched portion; (2.) quality (solidity and crispness) ; (3.) 

 flavour a rich " nutty " flavour being preferred. No " bolted " 

 celery should receive an award. 



THE CUCUMBER. 

 Among the best varieties of the Cucumber for exhibition 

 are Duke of Edinburgh, Telegraph, Tender and True, and Ver- 



