172 



THE PRACTICiiL GARDENER. 



We have for many years adopted the practice of going fre- 

 que tly over the whole of the kitchen-garden, whether the 

 wee s abound or not, and giving it, what may be termed, a 

 gen ral hoeing and raking. This method not only destroys 

 the weeds in embryo, but it encourages the growing crops, 

 and gives the whole a clean and cheerful appearance. For 

 this purpose, make choice of a few dry days, the time will 

 be Well occupied, and save much trouble at a future period. 



All pieces of vacant ground should now be rough dug, the 

 action of the sun upon it will improve it much, and it will 

 present a far neater appearance, than if left in the state when 

 the crop was removed. 



Every part of the culinary garden should now be kept in a 

 neat and well-regulated condition, and a constant attention 

 should be paid to the progress of all seeds committed to the 

 ground. Those that vegetate freely should be forwarded by 

 oeiiig, thinning, and watering, and in those cases where the 



ed has failed, it should be immediately resown; no time 

 lould be lost when such circumstances occur; some crops, 

 such as beets, onions, parsneps, and some others, may be re- 

 stored by transplanting them from those places, where they may 

 have come up too thick. The depredation of insects should 

 be gi^.arded against as much as possible, until the crops are 

 'ather advanced, for after they have formed their rough or 

 perfect leaves, few insects attack them, at least not so as to 

 3ndanger the crop. 



Co /ering the surface of the gi'ound, between the rows of 

 3rops, with litter, moss, tiles, or slates, has a beneficial effect 

 at a t' me of severe drought, as it prevents the too rapid pro- 

 gi-ess of evaporation. Frequent hoeing to a considerable depth 

 has, to a certain extent, the same effect, and either method 

 will lessen the labour and expense of watering. When re- 

 course is had to watering, it should be applied as late in the 

 afte noon as possible, or early in the morning, but never during 

 the middle of the day, excepting where a regular system of 

 irrigation can be effected, and even then, the water should not 

 be allowed to come in contact, cither with the foliage or the 

 stems of the plants. When the ground can be kept in a moist 

 St te during the warm months of summer, the most luxuriant 

 crops may be expected. 



