192 
THE FLOEIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ August, 
VEGETABLES. 
The chief consideration in this department will now be to encourage by every 
possible means the growth of the many crops under cultivation ; and should the 
weather continue as dry as we anticipate it may do, this will pi'ove no small tax. 
Artificial waterings will be in request constantly, and in instances where the 
water is laid on at a high pressure, and a hose is provided, as it is in some 
establishments, this will prove no great trouble. Where water is not so ready to 
hand, this operation involves much heavy labour. Artificial waterings should always 
be given with a method. Whenever water is given to any garden crop, owing 
to the natural drought, let it always be a most thorough root-soaking. To damp 
plants overhead, wetting an inch or two of the ground-surface only, is, to say the 
least, a false aid, and I may add, an injury. Do well whatever is done. 
Push on with the necessary transplanting of Celery^ choosing, if possible, 
a showery day in which to do this; • or in the absence of the shower, always 
transplant at as late an hour in the day as possible, well soaking 
the soil around at night, and giving another moderate watering in the early 
morning. Cauliflowers will need, perhaps, more direct and constant artificial 
waterings than any other crop, because if they are not attended to in this wise, 
they quickly ‘ button,’ or run to flower, whilst in a very young state, and before 
they get at all useful. Ground must now be prepared for winter crops of Spinach^ 
Onions, Lettuces^ Cabbage, Endive^ &:c. ; prepare all alike, well trenching that for 
the former, where practicable, and taking advantage of a damp period upon which 
to make a sowing of each, to insure as early a supply as possible. Make a special 
sowing of Spinach (Prickly) as near to August 11 as possible ; this for the mid¬ 
winter and very early spring crop. Sow Chervil (Turnip-rooted), insuring the 
seeds being always new, or of the current season’s growth. Make also further 
small sowings of the kinds of Saladings mentioned above about the 23rd of the 
month ; also of Cabbages^ the seedling plants from which may remain in the seed¬ 
beds during the winter, to insure a successional spring supply, and perhaps, to 
fill up gaps in the earlier and more permanent beds or plantations. Make another 
sowing of Carrots (Short Horn) about the second week in the month, for early 
spring drawing. Mould up Brussels Sprouts^ Broccoli^ and all winter green crops, 
and proceed with the earthing-up of the first Celery rows. 
Procure the customary materials for Mushroom-beds, keeping them dry until a 
sufiScient quantity has been got together, and then making up the beds forthwith. 
It is not necessary to have so much heat in the materials at this early date, 
and the beds may, therefore, be spawned more quickly, always bearing in mind 
that spawn works or runs more readily in moderately dry materials. 
As the season advances, give fresh and increasing bottom-heat to Cucumbers 
and Melons, affording air nightly, and as the heat becomes felt, the more liberally. 
Cut over, or thin-out, all the older vines of those Cucumber-plants which have 
become somewhat exhausted by bearing, removing therewith also many of the 
older leaves, and with the room gained encouraging the younger shoots, and parti¬ 
cularly the young leaves, to occupy and fill up the spaces. Encourage, in fact, 
a growing period, independently of any thought of fruit for a week or two, and the 
supply will be forthcoming more abundantly in consequence for some time after¬ 
wards. A thorough good soaking should be given to the bed just at the “ nick ” 
of time, at which the renewed bottom-heat is likely to make itself felt. 
Encourage young (7wcw??i5er-plants to form sturdy growth for the early autumn 
planting in houses intended for the midwinter and very early spring supply of 
fruit. Give all Cucumber-houses a thorough cleansing, whitewashing, &c., forth¬ 
with.— ^WiLLiAM Eablhy, Valentines. , ^ 
