Now put a bar-rowful of good loam and dung mixed in the centre of the bed in a heap like a cone, and if there be more than one light, a heap under each; make a hole in the centre of this heap like a basin, and plant the ball of earth which contains the plants in it, so that the surface of the ball shall be about six inches from the level soil, and refresh them with water. As the plants grow the roots will protrude through the sides of the cone or heap, and fresh mould must be added round it to cover the roots, and so continue for the present. While speaking of the cucumber, we take the opportunity of introducing to the notice of our readers "Terbs' Universal Travelling - Pot," one of the greatest boons ever offered to those who have occasion to send plants of melons, vegetable marrows, tomatoes, capsicums, etc, to a distance. The advantages derived from its use are many, namely; - A great saving in packing, no moss or similar material being required. A great saving in space, these covers occupying far less room than the ordinary flower-pot. A great saving in weight, and consequently a considerable reduction in carriage.

A great saving in expense, the price of these covers being much less than ordinary flower-pots. You will see by a glance at the engravings how they are to be used: - you turn a plant out of the ordinary flower-pot, and while holding the ball in one hand you place one of the covers over it, as represented at Fig. 9, and when firmly placed in its position, fold down the flaps as shown at Fig. 10. They are made of strong brown paper, lined with a water-proof material to retain the moisture about the roots, thus preventing the plants suffering through any delay in transit. They are made in sizes varying from two and a half to six inches.

Fig. 9.

Fig. 10.

Capsicums

These should be sown at the same time as the cucumbers (at the beginning of the month), and on the same hot-bed.

Gaelic

Plant in drills a foot apart, and six to nine inches from root to root.

Herbs

Sow seeds of angelica, sweet basil, bush basil, borage, carraway, curled chervil, clary, dill, fennel (also take offsets from the root), hyssop (also take cuttings), pot marjoram, sweet or knotted marjoram, pot marigold, rosemary, rue (also take offsets), summer savory, common thyme and lemon thyme, on open border. Balm, burnet, lavender, pennyroyal, sage, and tarragon, may be increased by cuttings and offsets.

Kohl-Rabi

Towards the end of the month a small quantity of this may be sown in drills fifteen to eighteen inches from each other. The plants, when large enough, should be thinned out to two feet asunder in the rows.

Leeks

A further supply may be sown in case the former sowing is not considered sufficient.

Lettuces

More of these may be sown; indeed, these, like peas, should be sown in small quantities and continued every month so long as the supply is required. A few of the most forward plants may be tied, but as a rule we consider it bad practice, inasmuch as the hearts are apt to rot if not used quickly; besides, we have kinds now that grow close-hearted without artificial assistance.

Onions

Sow the main crop. Let the ground be well dunged and dug, and sow as before. You may plant out a few large ones for seed, either large Portugal, Spanish, or Tripoli.

Parsley

The large-rooted kinds may be sown now; they afford a delicious dish. For the purpose of insuring fine roots it is necessary to thin them well as soon as up, so as to give them plenty of room to grow.

Peas

These should still be sown for succession. The second earlies are the best to sow now. See to the sticking and earthing up of such as are sufficiently advanced to require it.

Potatoes

Plant more of these for a fuller crop than the last. Middling potatoes, whole, are far better for the cottager than cut sets of larger ones. It is a fallacy to conclude that the largest potatoes have the largest eyes. There is no fallacy in preferring a whole potato to a cut set; if they do not go quite as far as cut sets, you have only to plant them wider apart, and get a heavier crop to each. If you have any well-rotted dung, dig trenches eight inches deep, two feet apart; put dung three or four inches thick in the trenches, and the potatoes upon it; draw down earth upon them to cover them well three inches.

Salsify

Sow about the middle or end of the month in rows one foot apart, on a piece of ground deeply trenched, with a good foundation of manure at the bottom of each trench, but not a particle of manure in the body of the soil that will be used for covering it. In order to insure large and straight, well-flavoured roots, they should be encouraged to go downwards after the stimulant, which they will have to do if applied as directed.

Sea-Kale

Sow the seeds in a small bed, and cover an inch; refresh with water when it gets too dry; cover with a pot, and surround with hot stable dung, any established plant that you wish to force.

Shallots

These may be treated in precisely the same manner as advised for garlic.

Small Salad

This may be sown from time to time as required, on a warm border, and be covered with a hand-glass.

Spinach

Sow the prickly-seeded, which does not run so soon as the round. Any already up should be thinned by hand, or with the hoe, to four inches apart in every direction.

Tomatoes

These may be sown on the same bed, at the same time as cucumbers, if you stand in need of them.

Turnips

Sow a few, and then thin out as soon as they have two rough leaves to a distance of six inches from each other in every direction.

Vegetable Marrows

These should be sown on a hot-bed, to make which is easy enough, and should bo done as follows: - Secure a good quantity of manure, and if it is long and green, turn it two or three times, taking care it is always moderately moist, but never positively wet. If the stuff is dry, well sprinkle it at every turn, and let it steam for a time to take the rankest fire out of it. Then make it up in a good square heap, taking care not to beat it down, but allow it to settle of its own accord. Put on a foot-depth of light, rich soil, after the frame is in its- place, and wait a few days to sow the seed. As soon as the heat has become steady and comfortable, sow on the bed, or in pans, as preferred, the quantity necessary. Make no attempt to hurry the growth, for undue haste produces weak plants ; plenty of air and light at every favourable opportunity, a short and healthy plant.

Words Op Advice

Activity amongst the vegetable creation is the order of the day, or rather the month; and as such it behoves the gardener to be sharp in return for nature's endeavour to help him. In a word, he must encourage the growth of his crops by all the means at his disposal. Thinning and weeding the different seed-beds, so as to admit moisture and air to the roots, and light and sun to the foliage of the tender occupants, is very important, but not more so than affording proper shelter in severe, and sufficient moisture m dry, hot weather.