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reason why there should not be a more varied display on the 
tables of private houses. 
Choice of Site. 
In choosing a site for a vegetable garden, an open sunny spot, 
well removed from the shade, drip and roots of trees, is indispen- 
sable. A rich well-drained soil is also desirable, but is not so im- 
portant as the absence of trees, as these are matters that can. to 
a certain extent, be remedied by the application of manure and 
labour. An easterly aspect is also the one to be preferred when 
there is any choice in the matter, as is often the case, especially 
on the hihs, where the bungalow is generally built on the crest. 
Manure. 
Farm-yard manure when obtainable is best for nearly all vege- 
tables, and if well decayed can hardly be applied too freely. On 
the hills, unless cattle are kept, there is always a difficulty m ob- 
taining enough, on account of the cost of transport, but on the 
plains this does not apply. Artificial manures such as guano, 
bone dust, and decayed prawns may be used to great advantage, 
either in a liquid form during dry weather, or worked in among 
the crops during showery weather. 
Rotation of Crops. 
Two successive crops of the same kind of vegetable should 
never be grown on the same ground. For instance, onions should 
be grown on ground that had been previously planted with peas 
or potatoes, and so on. 
Season for Planting. 
The most favourable season for planting is the months in which 
there is least rain, and this varies in localities no great distance 
apart. In Penang November to February are generally tne 
driest months, and the principal sowing is made towards the end 
of November. Subsequent sowings are made up to the end of 
February, and a few things, such as carrots, leeks, lettuce, maize 
and cabbages, may be grown all the year round, if protection 
from heavy rain is given to the seeds and young plants during 
the earlier stages of their growth. 
Sowing Seeds. 
All small seeds, whether sown in boxes or beds, should be cov- 
ered with a layer of lather light fine soil, varying in thickness 
according to the size of the seeds, in order that the young seed- 
lings may readily find their way through it. In most cases they 
will also require, except during the most favourable weather, 
some protection during the first ten days or a fortnight from 
heavy rain. The covering of attaps, or whatever is used, must 
be movable so that it can be put on or taken off quickly, and on 
no account be kept on longer than is absolutely necessary. This 
is a most important point. If the seedlings are kept covered too 
