18 JANUARY 1957, Page 30

THE SHALLOT BED

Very early shallots are inclined to be at the mercy of the weather, inquisitive birds and scratching cats. It is, however, timely to plant them in the next four or five weeks. They should be firmed into a well- manured bed, leaving twelve inches between the rows and eight between sets, and should be inspected after particularly high winds and heavy downpours of rain until they are rooted.