Sowing for the main supply of the year should be in progress soon, and with the soil in a crumbly state it may be done during the latter half of March.

Broad Beans may be sown at the depth and distance previously advised.

Broccoli

If a supply of Broccoli is wanted in autumn a packet of seed may be sown now, an early variety, such as Self-protecting Autumn or Michaelmas White, being chosen. These, and Greens generally, may be sown in rows a foot apart, drawn in fine soil on a reserve plot. The seed should be sprinkled in very thinly, and covered with about half an inch of soil. The soil between should be hoed to keep down weeds, and the seedlings thinned if they come very thick.

Borecole Or Kale

The various kinds of this vegetable are useful for winter, as they are very hardy, and are rarely killed in the most severe winters. Seed may be sown now, and treated the same as Broccoli. Dwarf Green Curled is a good variety.

Brussels Sprouts

An invaluable vegetable for autumn and early winter, seed of which may be sown now, like Broccoli; Sutton's Exhibition is a splendid variety.

Carrots

A few rows of Intermediate Carrot may be sown. This type is the most generally useful, as it grows to medium size, is of good shape, and thrives on most soils. But those who have the choice of different kinds of soil should give Carrots light, very friable ground, without rank manure. Rough, lumpy, damp, and freshly-manured soil does not suit them. The rows may be eighteen inches apart, the seed sown thinly an inch deep, and the seedlings thinned by stages until they stand about four inches apart. While hoeing between the rows is good, it is advisable to keep the soil near the tops of the young plants close and firm, in order to exclude the Carrot fly, which would otherwise go down and lay eggs, with the result that maggots hatching therefrom would injure the crop.

Celery

Seed of Celery for winter and spring supplies may be sown now. Mild bottom heat, such as that of a hot bed under a frame, favours germination, but the plants will come through, although a little slower, in a greenhouse. Prepare fine soil in a box or pan, as previously advised, sow very thinly, and cover about half an inch. When the seedlings are two inches high they may be set four inches apart in boxes, and kept until early June, or such time as ground is available for making the trenches. Standard Bearer is a good red variety. The Turnip-rooted (Celeriac) is good for cooking.

Chicory

Gardeners grow this vegetable mainly as a winter salad, but the Brussels or "Witloef" makes a delicious spring vegetable when forced and cooked like Seakale. Seed of Chicory may be sown now to yield roots in autumn, which, lifted then and put into boxes or large pots, will push foliage suitable for salads.

Cucumbers

I have already spoken of sowing Cucumbers for early crops. The plants thus raised are generally grown in houses, later supplies only being taken from frames. They (the house plants) ought not to be stopped, but the growth tied to a stake inserted in the pot. When the plants are about a foot high they may be planted in mounds of soil made up two feet apart on slates on the stages. Three points should be observed in connection with these mounds: (1) they should be only just large enough to cover the roots, more soil being added as the plants grow; (2) the soil should not be in fine particles, but in lumps; (3) it should be warmed by being placed in position in the house a few days prior to planting. Seeds may now be sown for yielding plants to grow in frames. They should be raised in warmth, such as on a hot bed, in a propagator, or in a warm house, and have the tip pinched off when they have made two pairs of rough leaves, to encourage them to form side shoots. When the plant is put out, which should be on a mound of earth in the centre of a manure bed in the frame, the side shoots can be trained over the bed in different directions, and overcrowding thus avoided. Improved Telegraph is a suitable variety.