Clean and light to handle are the Vacapots which are thin-walled containers divided into 24 detachable units, each a inches square and a inches deep so that they fit exactly into a 2 inch seed tray. The Vacapots are tilled with compost and one seedling is planted in each. When ready to move to larger pots or when planting out, the plants are removed with the soil ball intact or each compartment may be detached and sold without disturbing the roots.

If planting out, do not do so until the plants have been well hardened and, so that they do not remain too long in the pots or boxes, timing is all-important. Seed is sown so that there will be time for the plants to have made substantial growth before being set out, though the length of this period will depend upon the hardiness of the plants and climatic conditions in which they are to grow. For example, northern gardeners should not plant out tomatoes until June rst. unless they can be covered with cloches (when they may be planted three weeks earlier than if unprotected) but in either case the plants must have been well hardened. This is done by placing them towards the end of April in a cold frame to which air is admitted on all mild days. The frame should be kept closed at night until early May when the lights are raised by inserting a brick or piece of wood between the lights and the frame boards. By the month end, the lights may be removed altogether. At this time, tomato plants should be about 6 inches tall, rich green, sturdy and short jointed.

Cauliflowers and other plants raised in a warm greenhouse will be hardier and may be removed to a cold frame by April 1st. for hardening and planting out at the month end. By then, the plants should be about 4 inches tall, sturdy and bright green. They should be in the same condition if purchased from a garden shop or nurseryman. If yellowish green and too tall (drawn), this will signify that the plants have been sown too soon or may have been raised in too warm a temperature. Again, they may not have been hardened.

Early crops and plants set out in the open, may be raised in frames by sowing direct into a prepared seed bed which has been brought to a fine filth and into which peat or old mushroom bed compost has been incorporated. Vegetable plants should be sown early in March and after hardening, may be planted out in April. In the more favourable parts of the south and west seed is sown a month earlier in frames (or under cloches) and the plants set out about April rst; or a sowing may be made directly into the open ground early in March. For an early crop of frame cucumbers or marrows, seed is sown in spring over a hot bed made in a frame. This is made by composting straw with Adco M as used for mushroom growing, or from farmyard manure. Additional heat will be obtained if some poultry manure is added to the straw during composting. Straw will take about three weeks to compost and should be placed in the frame to a depth of about t 5 inches and covered with 5-6 inches of soil to prevent loss of heat. When the temperature has fallen to 80°F., the seed is sown in the soil or in pots inserted into the soil. The frame is kept closed to maintain a humid condition and hasten germination. A mild hot bed may be used for a crop of early turnips, radishes or carrots which will be sweet and succulent. Afterwards, the compost may be used on the land.