THE CULTURE OF VEGETABLES. 



457 



RED TURNIP RADISH. 



prospect of a rich harvest all 

 tlie more promising. This 

 now brings one to an im- 

 portant consideration in the 

 successful culture of vege- 

 tables, namely : 



Seed Sowing.— How 

 often have promising crops 

 been spoiled by the too free 

 use of seed. It is no exag- 

 geration to state that the 

 quantity of seed usually 

 sown is greatly in excess of 

 what is needed, and often a sufficient quantity is sown in one row to fill at least 

 three or four times as much space. It must be apparent to all thoughtful cultivators 

 that this is waste of time, labour, and money, and in their early days the plants become 

 unduly crowded and incapable of rendering a good account of themselves. Although 

 crowded seedlings may be thinned in good time, the result cannot be so good as when 

 from the first a moderate sowing has allowed natural development of the plants. On no 

 account should the seeds be sown broadcast, but in rows. Thinning, weeding, and hoeing 

 are more effectively carried out and the work more easily advanced when the seeds are sow n 

 in rows ; moreover, by following this rule, greater space for the development of the crop is 

 ensured. According to the growth of the respective vegetables, the space between the rows 

 has to be determined, and only by allowing plenty of room for each kind to develop can 

 good crops be obtained. The seeds must be sown deep enough, and the following rules 

 should be observed : Peas and French Beans, 3m. to 4m. ; Broad Beans, 4'in. to 6in. ; 

 Onions, Leeks, Broccoli, Cauliflowers, Cabbages, Brussels Sprouts, Turnips, and 

 Kales from iin. to 1 Ti n . ; while in the case of Parsley, Parsnips, and Carrots, Ain. 

 to li'm. Radishes, Lettuces, and Endive succeed well when sown to a depth of Am. 

 In determining the kind of vegetable to be sown in shallow and in deeper drills, it 

 should be borne in mind that the more vigorous-rooting varieties require a drill of a 



_ , .. : depth undesirable for the weaker-growing 



f% sorts. 



' ""■ The Time of Sowing must neces- 



' Sjj • "*"' sarily depend upon the situation and aspect 



.: f of the garden. Seeds that could be sown 



• '-Iff 



^.Hc '• with safety early in the year, in gardens 



situated in a warm protected position, 

 would fail absolutely where the situation 

 is cold and bleak' and probably damp. 

 One must, therefore, be guided by circum- 

 stances before commencing operations in 

 the early part of the year. In sowing seed 

 outdoors in January, February, and early 

 March great care must be taken. From 

 this time forth, however, the work should 

 proceed rapidly, the majority of the main 

 crops being sown during the latter part 

 of March and April, and the late supplies 

 proceeded with by sowing in May and 

 ,,,,,, ; , June. Succession crops should always 



