GREEN PLANTS AND SALADS IN a normal year there is free growth of leaves in the autumn until the plants are overtaken by frost, which usually halts progress and hardens off the vegetables. This year drought was still a real thing until about a month ago in many districts, and vegetables attempted to grow again when rain came. For example,brussels sprout plants are belately making rather loose buttons
instead of hearting them up. In these circumstances it is advisable to trim offahe side leaves more severely than usual and to cut out the tops of
the more precocious plants. The rain will do good to late savoys and enable them to grow good hearts; hut it may equally well cause hearted drumhead cabbages to burst. Sometimes only the outer leaves are burst away from the stem, giving the heart a withered exterior; but the inside will be tight and sound. Young " spring" cabbage recently planted has had a tussle with wind before the roots were quite anchored. Go round systematically and heel all the plants in firmly. In order to protect the cauliflower type of broccoli, take out a spadeful of earth on the North side of each plant and press it in that direction, away from the sun.
Salads are specially welcome in winter. Do not forget to keep on sowing mustard in frames and greenhouses.