Occupations > Abercrombie's improved practical gardener; with a monthly calendar for the flower garden

INTRODUCTION.
erties. Rain water should always be used if it
can be obtained, the defect of which must be
supplied by such as has stood exposed until it
has become impregnated with the sun’s rays.
The time of watering must be regulated by the
weather being cold or warm; watering in an
evening should generally commence towards the
end of May, and continue till the latter end of
September, or, as the nights are for being favour¬
able and mild, but at all other seasons morning is
the best time.
Most or all kitchen crops are gathered by de¬
grees, beginning as soon and continuing to gather
as long as possible. At the same time no part of
a crop should be gathered until it has attained
some degree of maturity, nor after it has begun
to decay. In respect to the degree of maturity,
it frequently depends on the particular tastes of
families; as in the case of cabbages, some esteem¬
ing them most while open and green, and others
not until they are fully headed and blanched.
The same difference in taste as to most other
kitchen crops may be noticed. The operation of
gathering kitchen crops is performed either by
cutting, as in the case of cabbages; by pulling or
breaking, as in the case of peas, beans, &c.; or by
pulling or rooting, as in the case of onions, tur¬
nips, potatoes, celery, &c. In the performance
of these operations due regard should be had to
those plants, &c. (if any) that are to remain, as
in the case of pulling onions, turnips, &c. As
soon as each crop is over, the roots and other