THE FAKM. 



termed a sponge-let, which absorbs moisture in the same manner as a 

 very fine sponge, and the quantity taken up does not depend alone on 

 the quantity in the soil, but in the number of absorbing fibers, conse- 

 quently, the more fibers a root may throw out, the more vigorous does 

 the plant become. tTpon the same principle, pulverization is of ad- 

 vantage not only previous to sowing and planting, but is found consider- 

 ably so during the progress of vegetation, when applied by hoeing in 

 the intervals among the plants while the crop is standing. 



The time for sowing or planting is the spring months for the princi- 

 pal crops;- but some few kinds require to be sown earlier, and some 

 later, for succession. It is the better way not to keep the same plants 

 always to the same places, but to change their situation in the garden, 

 so as to allow the ground to regain by one kind of crop what it may 

 have lost by another. 



Cabbages, cauliflowers, and other plants of the same description, re- 

 quire the soil to be of a rich loamy nature, occasionally well manured 

 with good manure, or enriched with the refuse of a melon or cucumber 

 bed. Vegetable mould, made from decayed or rotten leaves, and gen- 

 eral garden refuse heaped together, and occasionally turned till the 

 whole is reduced to a state of black earth, is also excellent for broccoli, 

 savoys, cabbages, cauliflowers, borecole, or the like. Beds of this kind 

 of soil are also well adapted for the rearing of asparagus and artichokes. 



Plants of the preceding kinds are principally raised from seed, set 

 early, either in sheltered situations or in a hot-bed, and transplanted 

 when of a suflBcient size, the more tender kinds under hand-lights, and 

 the more hardy into the open ground. The seeds are also set late for 

 winter crops, or for succession in spring. They are mostly biennials, 

 and comprise the following in all their varieties : cabbages. Savoys, cole- 

 worts, broccoli, borecole, and cauliflowers. 



In the summer months, plants of these kinds are particularly subject 

 to the caterpillar's ravages. To prevent this wholly is perhaps impos- 

 sible ; but it is not so diflBcult to check these troublesome visitors, or 

 even to destroy them. When they appear, water each moderately-sized 

 bed twice a week with a pailful of water in which about a pound ot 

 salt has been dissolved. This is an excellent antidote against their rav- 

 ages, and very seldom fails of effect ; if prudently used, it also improves 

 the condition of the plants, and accelerates their growth. Another 

 method is, to scatter the powder of unslacked lime thinly over both 

 plants and beds, which not only destroys those insects but enriches the 

 earth also. 



Plants of the spinach tribe are annuals ; they require a rich, but 

 rather light soil ; the round-leaved should be set in the spring months, 

 and also in the summer for succession ; the triangular, or winter kind, 

 in September and October for spring. The green-leaved and the large 

 white beet are also cultivated in similar soil and in a similar manner to 

 spinach, principally for succulent leaves. 



Esculent roots, or those of the parsnip, carrot, radish, and potato 

 kinds, should be planted in light, dry, sandy loam, of a sufficient depth 

 to allow the roots to penetrate freely into the earti, and yet sufficiently 

 rich to give it a proportionable bulk. Of these, some are annual, and 



