AND GUIDE TO THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 



107 



crop, but the large leaved variety, when grown in summer, and to be used as Spinach, requires 

 deep rich soil. 



Time and Manner of Sowing. — For winter use, sow in August and September, and again 

 in March and April ; tor a summer supply, sow thinly, either broadcast in beds, or in lines about 

 one foot apart, and cover lightly with fine soil. 



After Management. — Thin out the plants a.s soon as they are sufficiently strong, and keep the 

 ground clear of weeds, and the surface open, by frequent hoeings. 



per pkt. per oz. 



English 0 4..0 6 



Italian 0 4..0 6 



CRESS. 



Preparation of the Soil. — The soil for the American, Golden or Australian, and Normandy 

 varieties should be deep, light, and very rich, and a sheltered situation should be selected for the 

 winter crops of the two last named. For summer use, all the varieties should be sown on a border 

 sheltered from the sun. 



Time and Manner of Sowing. — To obtain a supply from the open ground during the winter 

 and spring, sow the American about the middle of July, and the Golden or Australian, and Normandy 

 Curled, from the beginning of September to the end of the first week in October, in lines, or the two 

 latter varieties in beds under the shelter of a south wall, thinning out the plants so that they may stand 

 about four inches apart ; and in severe weather these should be afforded the protection of a straw 

 hurdle, placed before the bed and inclining against ttie wall. If the ground is dry, water it well a 

 few hours before sowing, and cover the seeds lightly with fine soil In gathering these varieties for 

 use the plants should not be cut, as is done in the case of the common Cress, but the young leaves of 

 moderate size should be pinched off, leaving tlie plants to furnish a succession of gatherings. For a 

 summer and autumn supply sow the Golden or Australian, and Normandy Curled, in March, and at 

 intervals of from a fortnight to a month throughout the summer. Keep the ground between the lines 

 open by stirring with the hoe, and in droughty weather water liberally ; this will increase the size 

 and succulency of the leaves, and prevent their being disagreeably hot or high flavoured, as they are 

 apt to be during hot dry weather, when grown on dry soils. The Golden or Australian is an excel- 

 lent variety, not running to seed so quickly as the others, nor so liable to be unpleasantly strong in 

 flavour; it should be grown by all lovers of a wholesome and agreeable salad. 'I'he common plain- 

 leaved, and the curled-leaved varieties are more generally grown than the other kinds, and a supply 

 of these is secured by the same treatment as we Lave recommended for Mustard, which see, page 109. 



pel- oz. per )b. 



Australian Garden (new), leaves delicate green, flavour mild and very superior 0 3.. 3 0 



per qt. 



Common or Plain, very useful 0 2..1 0 



ZSztra fine Curled, may be cut two or three tinaes, superior flavour 0 2..1 G 



per lU. 



Perennial American, or Land, resembles Water-Cress, and may be gathered throughout 



the year 0 3. 3 0 



per pkt. per oz. 



Water-Cress, grows freely in moist situations, but is more delicate in flavour when 



grown in running streams 0 6.. -2 0 



ENDIVE. 



Preparation op the Soil. — The ground for this crop should be trenched to a depth of two 

 feet, adding; and well mixing with the soil a very liberal dressing of rich and thoroughly decayed 

 manure. For crops intended to stand the winter, a light, dry, and rather poor soil is the best, and 

 they should be planted in the most sheltered situation at command. 



Time and Manner of Sowing. — Make the first sowing about the middle of May on a bed of 

 w^ell pulverised rich soil, scattering the seed thinly, and covering it lightly. For the main crop sow 

 in the middle of June, and again about the middle of July; and for plants to stand the winter, sow 

 early in August. When the plants are about two inches high transplant into nursery beds upon 

 rich well prepared soil, taking special care not to injure the roots, as this as well as want of water in 

 hot dry weather very often causes them to run to seed. The plants in the seed bed as well as those 

 planted out should in dry weather be liberally supplied with water. 



Planting and after Managkment.— When the plants are about four inches high transplant 

 them to the spot where it is intended they should come to maturity, lifting them carefully with as 

 much soil as can be kept about their roots. Place them in drills about three inches deep and twelve 

 to fourteen inches apart, and leave about the same distance between the plants. Give a liberal 

 supply of water immediately after planting, and sis often as may be requisite to keep the soil moist. 

 Beyond watering and keeping the surface of the soil open and free irom weeds, the plants will 

 require no farther attention till they are nearly fully grovni, when means should be usetl to blanch 

 them. In the case of the earlier crops this may be done by tying them up when dry after the same 

 fashion as Lettuce, and drawing the soil about them so as to fill the drills in which they are planted, 

 then ridging up the soil two or three inches round each plant. But as Late crops intended for winter 

 use are liable to be injured by frost, these should be blanched by covering the plants with inverted 

 flower-pots, or pots maile for the purpose. When .severe weaiher is feared, a portion of the plants sown 

 in July may be lifted with balls and planted closely together in pits or frames, where they can be pro- 



