380 THE KITCHEN-GARDEN* [May. 
their being overtaken by the great summer heat and drought, which 
are very inimical to them. In the doing of this, take advantage 
of moist or cloudy weather, or immediately after rain, and sow the 
seed on a bed of good mellow ground, thin and even; tread it down 
and rake it in regularly. 
Hamburgh Parsley, Scorzonera, and Salsafy. 
The young crops of Hamburgh, or large-rooted parsley, scorzo- 
nera, and salsafy, must now be carefully cleaned from weeds, and 
the plants should be thinned or hoed out to proper distances, that 
their roots may have room to swell: thinning them to about six 
inches asunder. 
Early in this month, you may sow principal crops of salsafy and 
scorzonera, for autumn and winter use; for these that are sown 
now, will not be so subject to run to seed, as those which were 
sown in the former months, and their roots will be in excellent or- 
der for the table, during the entire autumn and winter. For a 
more particular account of these plants, see pages 198, 199, and 
323. 
Capsicums, or Med-Feppers. 
Early in this month you may sow, in a warm exposure on a bed 
of rich earth, seeds of the various kinds of capsicums, which you 
desire to cultivate; the large heart shaped kind is that, which is 
more generally used for pickling; the plants from this sowing, may 
be planted out in rows, about the first of June. 
The early plants raised in hot-beds, should, in the middle states, 
be planted out finally, as soon after the twentieth of this month, as 
moist or cloudy weather may occur; the rows must be two feet, or 
a little better asunder, and the plants one foot distant from one ano- 
ther: when planted, give each some water, and afterwards keep the 
ground free from weeds. 
You may likewise at this time, sow the seeds in drills at the above 
distance; covering them about a quarter of an inch deep; and when 
grown an inch or two, thin them to proper distances; but as they 
bear transplanting extremely well, it will be attended with less 
trouble, to raise them in the seed-bed, and afterwards plant them 
out. 
Tomatoes. 
Sow the seeds of tomatoes in the first week of the month, on a 
warm sandy soil, either to remain for fruiting, or for transplanting, 
as directed in page 327. 
Plant out from the hot-beds, about the middle of the month, or 
a little later, if the season is not favourable, those plants which are 
forwarded therein, and at the distances mentioned in page 327. Or 
they may be planted close to pailings or fences of any kind, to which 
they may be trained; but a support of some kind, will be neces- 
sary, in order to have them in the best perfection, and in abundant 
bearing. 
