VEGETABLES ALL THE YEAR ROUND FOR A PRIVATE FAMILY. 353 



March, will be ready early in June. To follow these we have the main- 

 crop varieties — in my case ' Yeitch's Model ' and 1 Yeitch's Main Crop ' — 

 sown early in April. These continue the supply until the frame Carrots 

 are ready again in the spring. It is possible in the South of England to 

 have young Carrots all the winter by sowing 1 Early Scarlet Horn ' in 

 August ; I have not been successful with this in the Midlands. Carrots 

 require the ground to be deeply dug and pulverised a considerable time 

 before sowing. 



Celery {Apvum graveolens). — This may be had for use during nine 

 months of the year. By sowing in moderate heat early in February, it 

 will be ready early in August. ' Wright's Giant White ' and ' Leicester 

 Red,' are two good varieties for early use. I always have the main crop 

 sown under glass, on a mild hotbed, early in April ; ' Sandringham Dwarf 

 White,' 1 Yeitch's Superb White,' and ' Major Clarke's Red ' are the 

 varieties grown for this purpose. Good cultivation, with an abundance 

 of water at all times, is necessary, in order to get good Celery ; and, to 

 prevent running to seed prematurely, there must never be any check to 

 the growth, from the commencement until the finish. 



Chicory (Cichorium Intybus). — This is chiefly used in salads, during 

 severe weather, after Endive is over. It should be sown in May, the roots 

 being lifted in November, and stored in a cool cellar, or store rooms, or 

 outdoors in a sheltered corner until required. To prepare it for use it 

 should be placed in a mushroom-house, or similar building, where it is 

 quite dark and warm, when it will be ready for use in about fourteen 

 days. It is grown very largely in Belgium and sent over to the London 

 market under the name of 1 Whitloof.' 



Chon de Burghley. — This is a most useful vegetable if sown at the 

 end of June ; it is then fit for use early in February, and is like small 

 Cabbages, though of a nice delicate flavour, quite distinct from an 

 ordinary Cabbage. Many growers have been disappointed with it from 

 sowing too early in the season, when it grows very large and fails to stand 

 severe weather. It was raised at Burghley, and distributed in 1883, by 

 the late Mr. R. Gilbert, who was one of the best vegetable-growers of his 

 time. 



Cress {Lepidium sativum) is much used for salads. The variety most 

 commonly grown is known as " Plain," and it is possible to have it fit for 

 use every day in the year, if suitable houses are available for its culture 

 during the winter months, November to January inclusive, when a 

 temperature of 60° to 65° is necessary ; after this, ordinary frames will 

 answer until April, when it may be sown outside. 



Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus). — These may be had throughout the 

 year, if light, well-heated houses are provided for the winter crops. I 

 find August 15 is a good date for sowing those required to provide fruit 

 from November to March. A portion of these plants ought to be 

 reserved for fruiting after Christmas, by keeping the fruit picked off until 

 the end of December. As soon as the days lengthen, more seed should be 

 sown to replace these plants, and with good culture they will give a 

 supply through the spring and summer. A lumpy, porous soil, through 

 which water percolates freely, is best for this plant, especially during 

 winter; it may be composed of turfy loam, chopped up and separated from 



