==Swede.==—­There are several advantages in growing Swedes as one of the garden crops.  They are hardy in constitution and prolong the supply of a wholesome vegetable.  In districts where Turnips are unsatisfactory, Swedes prove successful, and are appreciated for their delicacy of flavour when grown from stocks which have been carefully selected for the purpose.  The culture is in all respects the same as for Turnip.  The date of sowing depends on the district.  In the north it is safe to sow at the beginning of May, but in the midlands and southern counties of England the end of May or beginning of June is early enough.

==Vegetable marrow==

==Cucurbita Pepo ovifera==

The Vegetable Marrow does not, in a general way, obtain the right kind of attention in gardens.  It is very generally grown and is much valued as a summer vegetable.  But too often the aim of the cultivator is to obtain large Marrows, that at the very best are coarse and troublesome to the cook and are always wanting in substance and flavour, instead of smallish Marrows, which are easily dressed, elegant on the table, and combine with a substantial and somewhat glutinous pulp a most delicious flavour.  Two fears beset the average gardener:  he is afraid to grow small sorts, and he is afraid to cut them when quite young.  When he can overcome these fears he will appreciate the smaller Marrows that have of late years been secured by patient labour in cross-breeding, for while they are of the highest quality, they are also early and productive, far surpassing all the larger Marrows in quickness and usefulness.  The market grower we do not pretend to advise, for he must grow what he can sell; and if the smaller Marrows are insufficiently appreciated in gardens, we cannot hope to see them on sale in shops.

The Vegetable Marrow will grow in any good soil, and although a tender plant, it is so accommodating that if the seed is sown on a piece of newly dug clay land in the latter part of May, or early in June, the plants will thrive and produce a heavy crop the same season.  We put this as an extreme case, but we do not recommend such a careless mode of growing this valuable vegetable.  The fact is, it pays better to grow it well than to grow it ill; and in a country where land and labour are costly, and the summer very uncertain, it is best to take such a thing in hand scientifically, and provide for it as many favourable conditions as possible.  Three conditions are imperative:  a moderate bottom heat from fermenting material; a kindly, loamy soil, quite mellow, in which the roots can run freely; and a sufficiency of water, for this is a thirsty plant.  But the excessive use of manure is undesirable, as this only forces a rank growth of foliage at the expense of the fruit.