48 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



cow-dung. Some object to this on the point of appearance, but 

 this can be obviated by covering the dung over with a little soil. 

 Surface-stirring is another important element within the reach 

 of all cultivators. If the surface of the ground is allowed to 

 become battered and cracked, the moisture escapes and the plants 

 suffer. A three or four-pronged fork is the best for surface - 

 stirring ; light hoeing in dry weather destroys weeds, but to 

 assist the plants the crust should always be well broken up. It 

 is a well-known fact that soil is the primary agent in the culti- 

 vator's hands in producing fresh vegetables, and, where it is of 

 the right quality, it is an easy matter to produce good results. 

 When of a poor and barren nature, skill and energy is wanted 

 to improve it, so that the soil may be rendered suitable to sustain 

 plant-life. 



I shall not enter on the thorny path of recommending any 

 particular varieties of vegetables, as that is far beyond the scope 

 of this paper ; but, in passing, I may remark that it should be 

 the aim of every grower to secure those particular varieties of 

 vegetables that are most appreciated by those he has to supply, 

 and that grow best in the locality in which he is placed. 



I shall now proceed to give a summary of the different kinds 

 of vegetables that should be grown in order to sustain a constant 

 supply for the year, and, as far as possible, name the month they 

 should be sown and the probable date when they become fit 

 for use. 



Peas. — This is the most important of our summer vegetables. 

 Seed may be sown on warm and dry borders the end of Novem- 

 ber. These should, as a rule, be ready for use the last week of 

 May or the first week in June. Another sowing should be made 

 in January, and in ordinary seasons these will follow close on the 

 autumn crop. From January onwards a regular supply should 

 be sown at short intervals till the end of July ; by this means a 

 supply can be kept up till the end of October. This crop requires 

 ample room between the rows, with good rich soil, and heavy 

 mulching and watering in dry weather. Season out of doors, 

 June till October. 



Asparagus. — A first-class vegetable, for which there is always 

 a demand, especially as it can be produced to cover most of the 

 period when Green Peas are out of season. Eich ground must 

 be provided to grow this crop to perfection. Salt, sea-weed, and 



