November i, 1881.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
441 
HORTICULTURE. 
{Man.) 
decomposed 
and thorou 
may then 1 
taking I 
to injure t 
bo removed 
possible. 1 
the next tw 
and rich lii 
to do 80. 
the plants 
A dry day 
commencini; 
shoots they 
the right h 
the other, 
heart, ami c 
tho plants, 
crooked. Tl 
Us during the 
sowing should 
should he placed eveidy 
.ve inches of thorougldy 
must be well dug hi 
1 tho soil. The plants 
Jare should be taken in 
the nursery beds not 
; they should therefore 
adhering to them as 
they will reciuire for 
supply them with water 
ently as it is possible 
ot be commenced untl 
all the BE 
may have 
finely 
:t with 
ion by 
nul tho 
the 
din 
market gardeners who suppl; 
bazars adopt another method for blauchin; 
which is to mould up the plants hi the 
to a height of about four inches only, and as Boon as 
the plants have reached maturity, tie up the remainder 
of the stem in a plantain leaf. Another plan, and one 
which on account of its simplicity will certainly recom- 
mend itself to public favor, is to place ordinary drain- 
age pipes, about 15 inches in length and four or five 
pitches diameter, over oach plant as soon as it has 
made its fidl growth. By either of these systems the 
heads will blanch more quickly than by tho old plan 
of oarthiug np, but th 
unity flavour which should 
The best varieties in cu 
White Varieties. 
Bandringham Dwarf White. 
Wright's Grove White. 
Cole's Superb Crystal White. 
Boymour's Superb. 
riaUv 
lack that sweet, 
all good celery. 
ttea I aneties. 
Wright's Grove Red. 
Colo's Deliauce Red. 
Manchester Prizo Pink. 
Sulham Prize Pink. 
Capsicum (Capsicum.) 
The ordinary varieties of tho capsicum arc so well 
known and s.> extensively cultivated in this country 
that they hardly nee I In' mentioned here ; fur, no matter 
how small a garden may be, and possibly without an- 
other vegetable iu it, whorovor a nntive males is em- 
ployed two plants are certain to bo found there — these 
are tho common chili and toolso (Ocimum sanctum), a 
plant hold in groat reverence by tlio Hindus. 
There are, however. M\vral now varieties introduced 
during the past few years wluch are deserving of a 
place in every garden — not for the value of their pro- 
duce, but rather for the extremely ornamental character 
of the plant. The best of these are: " Monstreuse," 
"Prince of Wales," and " Princess of Wales;" the for- 
mer has enormous fruits, frequently four inches long 
and six inches iu diameter. Any of these are easily 
raised from seed sown in October in light, rich, sandy 
soil. As soon as largo enough they should be planted 
singly in pots filled with a light rich soil well enriched 
with old manure or leaf mould. As soon as established 
they should bo placed in a position where they are fully 
exposed to the sun throughout the day. 
Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus). 
A plant closely allied to the artichoke and much re- 
sembling it in its foliage. It is extensively cultivated 
on the Continent, but is but little known in England, 
and is but rarely, if ever, 6een in India. Firminger 
thus describes the method of growing it : — " The 6eeds 
are sown at the same time and in the same manner as 
those of the artichoke. When the young plants are 
about nine inches high, they are put out at a distance 
; in ground that has been well en- 
5 ; they are thcu treated ia the same 
ten the vegetable has become blanched 
p, it is ready for use, and is taken 
sea kale." 
of three fee 
riched with maniu-e 
way as celery. Wh 
by being earthed uj 
up and stewed like 
The Carrot (Dauc 
This vegetable requires a dee] 
and one that has been heavil; 
previously suits it best. In pr 
them it should be trenched to 
long varieties, and about twelv 
carota). 
depth of two feet for 
inches for the short 
kinds. Care must be taken that the soil is carefully 
broken up and pulverised finely. If the soil has been 
liberally manured for the previous crop, and the soil 
moderately rich, no fresh dressing should be given, as 
fresh manure has a tendency to cause tho roots to 
become forked. When, however, the soil is poor, a 
liberal supply of very old leaf mould or cow manure 
should be added. This must be placed about six inches 
below the surface, as it will then have the effect of 
drawing the young roots downwards. To promote a 
vigorous youthful growth, and enablo the young plants 
to grow freely, some recommend that the (hills be drawn 
deep enough to allow of a small quantity of well-rotted 
manure being placed at th 
this with a little fine soil 
bottom, and after covering 
le seed should be sown, 
orn varieties may be mado 
eptember, and successional 
}aftor. Sowings of the long 
in October, to induce tho 
Before sowing it should bo 
eight hours ; it must then 
hes or dry sand, aud sown 
for the small kinds, and 
orts. As soon as the plants 
kinds should be commencec 
seed to germinate quickly, 
steeped in water for six or 
be thoroughly mixed with 1 
in drills nine inches apart 
twelve inches for tho larger 
are three or four niches high, they should be thinned 
out to a distance of six inches between them. Tho 
crop must be kept clear of woods, and the soil frequently 
stinted around tho roots ; they must also be kept liber- 
ally supplied with water during the whole period of 
their growth. 
As soon as they have attained maturity, they should 
bo carefully taken up without damaging the coots, and 
after cutting off the tops to within an inch of the crown, 
and allowed to dry iu tho sun for two or three days, 
should then bo stored in dry earth or sand for future use. 
Ciiisss (Lcpidium sativum). 
In the open ground sowings cannot be made safely 
till the expiration of tho rains in October. A small 
quantity of seed should bo sown at short intervals to 
koep up a regular supply. By adopting, however, tbo 
process generally employed in England for forcing it. 
