THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



CRESS AND MUSTARD may be sown in pans, allowing a few 

 days between each sowing. In this way a constant supply will be 

 ensured. Later on sow in the open ground. It is not a bad plan to 

 sow Cress and Mustard round other crops, such as Potatoes, where 

 frame space is limited. 



CUCUMBERS may be had all the year round if grown under 

 glass with proper heating, and some people will even manage this 

 with a hot-bed and frame. Three months must be allowed for 

 growing, so that October's sowing should be ready now and seed 

 sown to procure Cucumbers in April. 



The structure of a Cucumber house must be left to the individual 

 grower; a lean-to facing south is advised. The soil should be of 

 turfy loam and leaf mould, if possible, and the secret of success is to 

 let nothing check the rapid growth of the plants. Cucumber plants 

 require a temperature of not less than 60° even at night, and very 

 careful watering with water the same temperature as the house. 

 The roots should never be allowed to get dry. 



LETTUCES may be sown in a warm border, under a hand-light, 

 or, better still, in a frame. Protect them well, and where a constant 

 supply is required sow small quantities at intervals of about a fort- 

 night or three weeks. 



PEAS. In favourable weather Early Peas may be sown out of 

 doors on a sheltered border, and it is advisable to put the rows some 

 distance apart and plant between them some other crops, such as 

 Potatoes, Cauliflowers, etc. A stiU earlier picking may be secured 

 by sowing in pots in a frame, transferring the plants later to the open 

 ground. The heat in the frame should not be excessive. 



POTATOES are extremely acceptable if ready early, and on an 

 exhausted hot-bed a good crop may be secured. A covering of light 

 soil must be given before putting a frame over them, and they must 

 be carefully protected from frost. . Some writers recommend a heap 

 of leaves or a small quantity of farm-house manure as giving sufficient 

 heat for Potatoes, and for anyone who grows Melons the pit prepared 

 for them may well be utilized for an early crop of Potatoes first, as 

 if started in the middle of January the Potatoes will be ready for use 

 by the time the Melons should be planted. 



RADISHES may also be grown on a partially-spent hot-bed. 



SEA-KALE should now have a good covering of soil or leaves 

 and the protection of pots to blanch it. Manure is not really 

 necessary. The same procedure is recommended for early Rhubarb. 



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