,,note ,,to ,,the ,,ppver ,,and ,,wwer ,the tables have been left as a replica of the original because there is no way to ensure a clear reading if the size is reduced4 ,,the ,,vegetable ,,garden ,illustration3 ,a ,,good ,,collection ,,of ,,home-,,grown ,,vegetables ,illustration3 ,,lettuce ,,maturing ,,in ,,home-,,made ,,cold ,,frame ,the ,vegetable ,garden ,,what1 ,,when1 ,,and ,,how ,,to ,,plant ,reprinted from ,the ,farmer's ,cyclopedia ,,garden ,,city ,,new ,,york ,,doubleday1 ,,page ,,company #aiag ,copyright1 #aiab1 by ,,agricultural ,,service ,,company ,,washington1 ,d4 ,c4 ,all rights reserved ,,table ,,of ,,contents ,,page ,its ,importance #c ,location #e ,plan and ,arrangement #e ,fertilizers #g ,preparation of the ,soil #i ,time of ,planting #aj ,selection of ,seed #aj ,sowing and ,planting #aa ,tools #ae ,mulching #ae ,irrigation #ah ,thinning #ai ,transplanting #ai ,setting in the ,open ,ground #bj ,protection of ,plants #ba ,harvesting1 ,packing and ,shipping #bb ,canning ,vegetables on the ,farm #bc ,storing #bg ,early ,plants in ,hotbeds #bi ,handling ,plants #cj ,frames ,used in ,truck ,growing #ca ,ventilation #cc ,soils and ,fertilizers #cd ,watering ,crops #cd ,garden ,products3 ,anise #ce ,artichoke #ce ,asparagus #ce ,beans #dj ,beans1 ,lima #df ,beets #dg ,borage #dh ,broccoli #dh ,brussels ,sprouts #di ,cabbage #di ,calabash #ea ,cantaloupe #eb ,cardoon #ec ,carrot #ed ,cauliflower #ed ,celeriac #eg ,celery #eg ,cetewayo #fd ,chayote #fd ,chervil #fd ,chicory #fd ,chile #fe ,chive #ff ,citron #ff ,collards #fg ,corn ,salad #fg ,cress #fg ,cucumbers #fg ,dandelion #ga ,dill #gb ,egg ,plant #gb ,endive #gb ,fennel #gc ,garlic #gc ,ginger #gc ,herbs #gc ,horse ,radish #gd ,ice ,plant #gc ,kale #gd ,kohl-,rabi #gd ,leek #ge ,lettuce #ge ,lleren #ge ,martynia #gf ,melon--,muskmelon #gf ,melon--,watermelon #ha ,mustard #hb ,nasturtium #hb ,new ,zealand ,spinach #hc ,okra #hc ,onions #he ,parsley #ie ,parsnip #ie ,peas #ie ,peppers #if ,physalis #if ,potato #ig ,pumpkin #aaf ,radish #aaf ,rhubarb #aaf ,ruta-,baga #aag ,salsify #aag ,scolymus #aag ,skirret #aag ,sorrel #aah ,spinach #aah ,squash #aah ,stachys #aah ,sweet ,basil #aai ,sweet ,corn #aai ,sweet ,marjoram #aai ,sweet ,potato #aai ,swiss ,chard #abh ,thyme #abh ,tomatoes #abh ,turnips #acg ,vegetable ,marrow #acg ,quantity of ,seed to ,plant #ach ,composition of ,roots #adj ,authorities ,consulted #adj ,,list ,,of ,,illustrations ,a ,good ,collection of ,home-,grown ,vegetables4 ,lettuce ,maturing in ,home-,made ,,cold ,,frame ,frontispiece ,,facing ,,page ,liquid ,manure is ,one of the ,best ,acting ,fertilizers #h ,the ,wheel ,hoe is the ,handiest ,garden ,tool #af ,the ,easiest ,running ,wheel ,hoe ,valuable for ,maintaining a ,dust ,mulch #af ,temporary ,hotbeds in a ,city ,back ,yard #cj ,showing ,vegetables ,growing in ,hotbed #cb ,celery ,banked ,with ,earth to ,blanch ,it #fb ,japanese ,climbing ,cucumbers1 ,nearly ,six ,feet ,from the ,ground #fh ,well-,grown ,cucumbers #fh ,thorough ,cultivation of the ,growing ,crop is an ,essential of ,successful ,potato ,raising #aaj ,,the ,,vegetable ,,garden ,,the ,,vegetable ,,garden ,perhaps the most characteristic feature of ,northern and ,eastern farms is the home vegetable garden4 ,even where no orchard has been planted1 and where the ornamental surroundings of the home have been neglected1 a fairly well-kept garden in which are grown a number of the staple kinds of vegetables is generally to be found4 ,in many cases the principal interest in the garden is manifested by the women of the household and much of the necessary care is given by them4 ,a small portion of the garden inclosure is generally devoted to the cultivation of flowers1 and a number of medicinal plants is invariably present4 ,throughout the newer parts of the country it is seen that the conditions governing the maintenance and use of the vegetable garden are somewhat different1 and1 while a number of vegetable crops may be grown somewhere on the farm1 there is wanting that distinction so characteristic of the typical ,new ,england kitchen garden4 ,it would be impossible to make an accurate estimate of the value of crops grown in the kitchen gardens of the ,united ,states1 but from careful observation the statement can safely be made that a well-kept garden will yield a return ten to fifteen times greater than would the same area and location if devoted to general farm crops4 ,a half acre devoted to the various kinds of garden crops will easily supply a family with #ajj worth of vegetables during the year1 while the average return for farm crops is considerably less than one-tenth of this amount4 ,a bountiful supply of vegetables close at hand where they may be secured at a few moments' notice is of even more importance than the mere money value4 ,fresh vegetables from the home garden are not subjected to exposure on the markets or in transportation and are not liable to become infected in any way4 ,many of the products of the garden lose their characteristic flavor when not used within a few hours after gathering4 ,by means of the home garden the production of the vegetable supply for the family is directly under control1 and in many cases is the only way whereby clean1 fresh produce may be secured4 ,the home vegetable garden is worthy of increased attention1 and a greater number and variety of crops should be included in the garden4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee47 ,the development and extension of truck farming in the ,atlantic coast ,states have been coincident with the development of transportation facilities throughout that section4 ,in the beginning the points affording water connection with the great consuming centers of the ,north were those at which truck farming first became established4 ,the phenomenal growth of the great consuming centers of the country has stimulated a corresponding growth and extension of the food-producing territory1 especially that capable of producing perishable truck crops4 ,the demands for vegetables out of season1 followed later by the continuous demand for fresh vegetables throughout the year by the great cities1 led first to the market gardeners located near the cities supplementing their field operations by extensive forcing-house enterprises4 ,naturally1 the products from the greenhouses were expensive and available only to the few who were able to pay fancy prices for green products out of season4 ,the improvement and extension of the transportation facilities which came with the great railway-building era of the ,united ,states made it possible to take advantage of the wide diversity of climate offered along the ,atlantic coast of the ,united ,states to furnish these perishable products to the great cities of the ,north and ,east4 ,transportation facilities1 together with cheap labor and cheap lands at the ,south1 have made it possible to produce in extreme southern locations products out of season at the ,north in competition with greenhouse products4 ,the greater land area and the smaller amount of capital involved in the production of crops at the ,south1 even though transportation charges were high1 have enabled southern growers to produce much larger quantities of the desired crops than could be grown profitably under glass4 ,it was therefore not many years before lettuce1 celery1 tomatoes1 radishes1 beets1 and bunch beans came to be regular winter and early spring products of gardens located at great distances from the centers of consumption4--7,y4 ,b4 #aijg47 ,it is only necessary to look around the village and town gardens in the ,south to become convinced of the great need that exists for information in regard to the proper care of the garden1 and particularly that part which is intended to give supplies to the table4 ,there town gardeners are very active in the early spring1 and their enthusiasm often leads them to go ahead and plant a great many things at a season too early for their safety1 so that a return of cold often compels the almost entire replanting of the garden4 ,but with the production of the early crops in the garden1 the enthusiasm of the gardeners oozes out under the influence of the summer's heat1 and the garden that at first looked so neat in its spring dress becomes merely a weed patch4 ,few people realize the advantage that long summers and sunny autumns give for the production of a constant succession of crops in the garden1 and still fewer realize that in this climate the garden need at no season of the year be abandoned to the weeds4 ,one of the greatest troubles that results from the common practice of allowing the garden to grow up in weeds after the first peas1 corn1 cabbage1 and tomatoes are secured1 is that these weeds are the places where the larv of the cut-worm hide1 and are ready to begin their destructive work as soon as the garden plants are set in the spring4 ,if the garden is kept clean and cropped continuously all the year round1 as it may and should be here1 there will be no cut-worms to bother the early plants4 ,from ,january to ,january there is no need in the ,south for any space in the garden unoccupied by crops4 ,from the time the earliest peas go into the ground in ,january up to the time it is necessary to prepare for them the following year there can be a constant succession of fresh vegetables from the garden1 by the exercise of a little forethought4 ,and this succession can be made still more perfect if there be added a frame with some hotbed sashes for the production of lettuce1 cauliflower1 radishes1 carrots1 etc41 during the colder months2 while all through the winter there can be celery1 kale1 spinach and turnips4--7,n4 ,c4 ,bul4 #acb47 ,,location4 ,the question of the proximity to the house or other buildings is of great importance when locating the garden4 ,caring for a garden is usually done at spare times1 and for this reason alone the location should be near the dwelling4 ,in case the site chosen for the garden should become unsuitable for any cause1 it is not a difficult matter to change the location4 ,many persons prefer to plant the garden in a different location every five or six years4 ,the lay of the land has considerable influence upon the time that the soil can be worked1 and a gentle slope toward the south or southeast is most desirable for the production of early crops4 ,it is an advantage to have protection on the north and northwest1 by either a hill1 a group of trees1 evergreens1 a hedge1 buildings1 a tight board fence1 or a stone wall to break the force of the wind4 ,good natural drainage of the garden area is of prime importance4 ,the land should have sufficient fall to drain off surplus water during heavy rains1 but the fall should not be so great that the soil will be washed4 ,the surface of the garden should not contain depressions in which water will accumulate or stand4 ,waste water from surrounding land should not flow toward the garden1 and the fall below should be such that there will be no danger of flood water backing up4 ,the garden should not be located along the banks of a creek or stream that will be liable to overflow during the growing season4 ,a good fence around the garden plot is almost indispensable1 and it should be a safeguard against all farm animals1 including poultry1 and should be close enough to keep out rabbits4 ,a tight board fence will accomplish1 this result and also serve as a wind-break4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee47 ,,plan ,,and ,,arrangement4 ,the garden should be planned with a view to furnishing a large assortment and continuous supply of vegetables through the entire season4 ,its size will depend primarily upon the amount of land available4 ,on the farm1 where any amount of land the owner desires can be reserved1 for a garden1 vegetables to be stored for winter as well as the summer supply1 should be grown4 ,on the village lot1 space may be insufficient to grow more than the summer's supply1 and it may also be necessary to leave out certain vegetables that require a large amount of space4 ,on a city lot1 the space available for growing vegetables is necessarily small1 and plantings must usually be confined to those vegetables which produce a large amount of edible product for the space occupied4 ,whether the garden is on the farm1 in the village1 or on the city lot1 the principles governing its planting and care are the same although the distances of planting1 methods of tillage1 and intensity of cropping may differ widely4 ,on the farm1 the saving of labor is more important than the saving of space2 even the small vegetables are planted in long rows rather than in beds2 and horse power is substituted for hand power wherever possible4 ,in the village and the city1 the vegetables must usually be planted as closely as the nature of their growth will permit1 and hand tillage employed almost exclusively4 ,much loss of time in planting a garden can be avoided by making a definite plan of the garden several weeks or even months before the planting is to begin4 ,after measuring the area to be used for the garden1 the next step is to decide what vegetables are to be grown4 ,if space is ample1 this will be determined primarily by the personal tastes of the gardener and his family4 ,however1 if only a limited amount of time and attention can be given the garden1 it may be wise not to undertake the growing of some of the more exacting crops4 ,whatever the space to be devoted to gardening1 the crops to be grown should be decided upon long before the time of planting4 ,in planning the garden1 it is well to arrange the vegetables in the order in which they are to be planted4 ,this facilitates the preparation of the land for planting1 and makes it possible to maintain the unplanted portion in a good friable condition with the least expenditure of labor4 ,in order that the vegetables may be so arranged1 it is necessary to know the proper time for planting each crop4 ,this depends primarily upon the temperature and moisture requirements of the particular crop in question4 ,if any of the small fruits1 such as raspberries1 currants1 and gooseberries1 are to be planted within the garden enclosure1 they should be included with the permanent crops4 ,the area devoted to the hotbed1 cold frame1 and seed bed should be decided upon1 but these may be shifted more or less from year to year or located in some convenient place outside of the garden4 ,where there is any great variation in the composition of the soil in different parts of the garden it will be advisable to take this into consideration when arranging for the location of the various crops4 ,if a part of the land is low and moist1 such crops as celery1 onions1 and late cucumbers should be placed there4 ,if part of the soil is high1 warm1 and dry1 that is the proper location for early crops and those that need quick1 warm soil4 ,in planning the location of the various crops in the garden1 due consideration should be given to the matter of succession in order that the land may be occupied at all times4 ,as a rule it would not be best to have a second planting of the same crop follow the first1 but some such arrangement as early peas followed by celery1 or early cabbage or potatoes followed by late beans or corn1 and similar combinations1 are more satisfactory4 ,in the ,south as many as three crops may be grown one after the other on the same land1 but at the extreme north1 where the season is short1 but one crop can be grown1 or possibly two by some such combination as early peas followed by turnips4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee47 ,,fertilizers4 ,the kind of fertilizer employed has a marked influence upon the character and quality of the vegetables produced4 ,for the garden only those fertilizers that have been carefully prepared should be used4 ,fertilizers of organic composition1 such as barnyard manure1 should have passed through the fermenting stage before being used4 ,the use of night soil generally is not to be recommended1 as its application1 unless properly treated for the destruction of disease germs1 may prove dangerous to health4 ,,barnyard ,,manure4 ,for garden crops there is no fertilizer that will compare with good1 well-rotted barnyard manure4 ,in localities where a supply of such manure can not be secured it will be necessary to depend upon commercial fertilizers1 but the results are rarely so satisfactory4 ,in selecting manure for the garden1 care should be taken that it does not contain any element that will be injurious to the soil4 ,an excess of sawdust or shavings used as bedding will have a tendency to produce sourness in the soil4 ,chicken1 pigeon1 and sheep manures rank high as fertilizers1 their value being somewhat greater than ordinary barnyard manures1 and almost as great as some of the lower grades of commercial fertilizers4 ,the manure from fowls is especially adapted for dropping in the hills or rows of plants4 ,,commercial ,,fertilizers4 ,commercial fertilizers are sold under a guaranteed analysis1 and generally at a price consistent with their fertilizing value4 ,no definite rule can be given for the kind or quantity of fertilizer to be applied1 as this varies with the crop and the land4 ,at first the only safe procedure is to use a good high-grade fertilizer at the rate of from #a1jjj to #b1jjj pounds to the acre and note the results4 ,market gardeners frequently apply as much as #b1ejj pounds of high-grade fertilizer per acre each year4 ,farmers who do not have sufficient barnyard manure for their crops should begin gradually to use the commercial fertilizers4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee47 ,,profits ,,from ,,the ,,use ,,of ,,fertilizers4 ,the aim usually in the use of artificial fertilizers is to so supplement soil supplies of plant-food as to obtain a profit1 and1 as already intimated1 the profits for the different crops will be in proportion to their economical use of the desired constituent4 ,still1 one should not be deterred from the use of fertilizing materials1 even if the conditions should render the application apparently wasteful--that is1 the farmer should estimate the increase that it is necessary for him to obtain1 in order to be regarded as profitable1 and if only this is obtained1 he should not be discouraged4 ,many persons seem to have gotten the impression that the use of fertilizers is a gamble at best1 and are not satisfied unless the returns from the investment in fertilizers are disproportionately large4 ,we very often hear the statement that by the use of certain fertilizers the crop is doubled or tripled1 as if this were a remarkable occurrence1 and partook of the nature of a mystery4 ,such results are not mysterious2 they can be readily explained4 ,in an experiment on celery it is shown that the weight of celery from an application of #djj pounds per acre of nitrate of soda is two and one-half times greater than on the land upon which no nitrate was used1 and that very great profit followed its use4 ,this result is not mysterious--the nitrogen applied1 if all had been used by the crop1 would have given a still greater increase2 it simply shows that where no extra nitrogen had been applied the plant was not able to obtain enough to make the crop what the conditions of the season and soil1 in other respects1 permitted4 ,these favorable conditions1 however1 are not uniform1 and variations in return from definite application must be expected4 ,it is quite possible to have a return of #ej per acre from the use of #e worth of nitrate of soda on crops of high value1 as1 for example1 early tomatoes1 beets1 cabbage1 etc4 ,this is an extraordinary return for the money invested and labor involved2 still1 if the value of the increased crop from its use was but #aj1 it should be regarded as a profitable investment1 since no more land is required1 and but little more capital with this return4 ,the waste of nitrogen does not result in loss4 ,,danger ,,of ,,loss ,,of ,,nitrates ,,by ,,leaching4 ,the chief difficulties in the use of nitrate of soda are due to promptness in its solubility and availability4 ,the fact that it is so soluble carries with it the very grave danger that losses by leaching may occur if the conditions of soil and crop at the time of its application are not favorable for a rapid absorption of the nitrate by the plant4 ,this danger is greater if it is applied to the soil before rapid growth1 when there is a limited number of plants that have not made much growth1 or whose roots have not taken possession of the soil1 as in the case of the vegetable crops4 ,in meadows1 on the other hand1 or in grain crops1 where there are a large number of plants per unit of area1 and in orchards or berry patches1 where there are fewer plants1 but a wider distribution of the feeding roots1 losses are not so liable to occur4 ,there may be1 therefore1 great disappointment in the returns from the use of nitrate of soda1 if opinions as to its usefulness are based entirely upon its availability4 ,nevertheless1 because no unknown conditions enter in1 in reference to its availability1 it is possible to avoid1 in a great degree1 the losses liable to occur1 and thus to secure a maximum return from the application of this form of nitrogen4 ,,the ,,influence ,,of ,,quantity ,,applied ,,and ,,method ,,of ,,application4 ,if the quantity applied is too small to meet the demands of the crop1 unless all seasonal conditions are favorable1 the chances are that the results will not be completely satisfactory1 as weather conditions are not likely to be perfect2 it may be too wet or too dry1 too cold or too hot1 and hence1 during certain periods1 the plants would not be able to obtain their food--that is1 it would be impossible for the plant to absorb always its food uniformly1 or in such amounts and at such times as would result in the best development of the plant4 ,in all cases an amount should be applied that would exceed the needed requirement under perfect conditions4 ,illustration3 ,,liquid ,,manure ,,is ,,one ,,of ,,the ,,best ,,acting ,,fertilisers ,in the second place1 if the quantity found to be necessary for a definite increase of crop1 under average conditions1 were all applied at once1 say in the early spring1 a greater opportunity would be offered for losses from leaching than would be the case if the material were given in successive dressings1 so that the losses due to the escape of the nitrogen would be minimized2 on the other hand1 if no losses occurred1 the plant might take up more than could be utilized in a normal development1 thus defeating the purpose1 because resulting in a product of less commercial value4 ,this would apply1 of course1 only in the case of those crops that are injured by abnormal development in certain directions1 as1 for example1 too large a proportion of straw in cereal grains1 too large a root in sugar beets1 etc4 ,all these difficulties may be obviated by a fractional application1 or1 in other words1 by supplying the nitrogen at the time and in the quantity best adapted for the plant and for the purpose in view in its growth4 ,the results from the use of nitrogen may be also unsatisfactory if nitrogen only of the elements essential is used4 ,the best results from the use of nitrate can come only when there exist in the soil1 or are applied with it1 sufficient amounts of the mineral elements to enable the plant to obtain a food suited to its needs--nitrogen is but one element of plant food4--7,n4 ,j4 ,a4 ,e4 ,sta41 #aeg47 ,,preparation ,,of ,,the ,,soil4 ,where there is considerable choice in the location of the garden plot1 it is often possible to select land that will require very little special preparation4 ,on the other hand1 it may be necessary to take an undesirable soil and bring it into suitable condition1 and it is generally surprising to note the change that can be wrought in a single season4 ,plowing4--,autumn is the time for plowing hard or stiff clay soils1 especially if in a part of the country where freezing takes place1 as the action of the frost during the winter will break the soil into fine particles and render it suitable for planting4 ,sandy loams and soils that contain a large amount of humus may be plowed in the spring1 but the work should be done early in order that the soil may settle before planting4 ,in the ,southern ,states1 where there is not sufficient frost to mellow the soil1 this process must be accomplished by means of frequent cultivations1 in order that the air may act upon the soil particles4 ,it is desirable to plow the garden early1 at least a few days sooner than for general field crops4 ,sandy soils will bear plowing much earlier than heavy clay soils4 ,the usual test is to squeeze together a handful1 and if the soil adheres in a ball it is too wet for working4 ,in the garden greater depth of plowing should be practiced than for ordinary farm crops1 as the roots of many of the vegetables go deeply into the soil4 ,subsoiling will be found advantageous in most cases1 as the drainage and general movement of the soil moisture will be improved thereby4 ,hand spading should be resorted to only in very small gardens or where it is desirable to prepare a small area very thoroughly4 ,smoothing and ,pulverizing the ,soil4--,after plowing1 the next important step is to smooth and pulverize the soil4 ,if the soil be well prepared before planting1 the work of caring for the crops will be very materially lessened4 ,it is not sufficient that the land be smooth and fine on top1 but the pulverizing process should extend as deep as the plowing4 ,some gardeners prefer to thoroughly cut the land with a disk harrow before plowing1 so that when it is turned by the plow the bottom soil will be fine and mellow4 ,after the plow the disk or cutting harrow is again brought into play and the pulverizing process completed4 ,if the soil is a trifle too dry and contains lumps1 it may be necessary to use some form of roller or clod crusher to bring it down4 ,for smoothing the surface and filling up depressions a float or drag made from planks or scantlings will be found serviceable4 ,,time ,,of ,,planting4 ,no definite rule can be given regarding the time for planting seeds and plants in the garden1 for the date varies with the locality and the time that it is desired to have the crop mature4 ,a little practice will soon determine when and how often sowings should be made in order to escape frost and mature the crop at a time when it will be most useful4 ,certain crops will not thrive during the heated part of the summer1 and their time of planting must be planned accordingly4 ,,the ,,selection ,,and ,,purchase ,,of ,,garden ,,seeds4 ,in order to have a good garden it is necessary to plant good seeds4 ,it is not alone essential that the seeds be capable of growing2 they must be capable of producing a crop of the desired quality1 under the conditions existing where the gardening is to be done4 ,some varieties of vegetables are restricted in their adaptations1 while others thrive over a wide range of territory and under widely different conditions of soil and climate4 ,if the behavior of different varieties in a given locality is not known1 the safe plan to follow in selecting varieties for planting is to choose mainly those that have proved themselves adapted to a wide range of conditions and have thereby become recognized as standard sorts4 ,the newer varieties may be tested in small quantities until their suitableness for a given place and purpose has been determined4 ,particular care should be taken to select varieties that are capable of yielding a product of high quality4 ,such varieties are numerous1 and some are better for one region than another4 ,it is always a safe plan to have a little more seed on hand than is actually needed to plant the area desired4 ,sometimes the first planting of a given crop is destroyed by frost or insects1 making replanting necessary4 ,in such a case1 delay in replanting could be avoided by having the seeds on hand4 ,the additional expense is slight compared with the value of the crop4 ,in the case of many seeds1 an ounce costs but little more than a packet2 and in such cases1 it is the part of wisdom to purchase an ounce1 even though a packet might contain sufficient seed to barely plant the desired area4 ,the more expensive seeds may be purchased in smaller quantities1 with less margin between the actual amount required and the quantity purchased4--7,u4 ,ill4 ,b4 #aed47 ,,seed ,,sowing4 ,garden seeds should always be sown in straight rows regardless of where the planting is made4 ,if a window box is employed for starting early plants in a dwelling1 the soil should be well firmed and then laid off in straight rows about #b inches apart4 ,the same method holds good for planting seeds in a hotbed1 cold frame1 or bed in the garden1 except that the rows should be farther apart than in the window box4 ,by planting in straight rows the seedlings will be more uniform in size and shape1 and thinning and cultivating will be more easily accomplished4 ,in all cases where the soil of the seed bed is not too wet it should be well firmed or pressed down before laying off and marking for sowing the seeds4 ,after the seeds are sown and covered1 the surface should again be firmed by means of a smooth board4 ,no definite rule can be given for the depth to which seeds should be planted1 for the depth should vary with the kind of seed and with the character and condition of the soil4 ,in heavy clay and moist soils the covering should be lighter than in sandy or dry soils4 ,in all cases the depth should be uniform1 and when planting seeds in boxes or a bed the grooves in which the seeds are planted should be made with the edge of a thin lath4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee47 ,planting4--,the most distinctive feature of the garden on the farm should be the reduction of hand labor to a minimum4 ,in planting the garden1 therefore1 it should be laid out in long rows1 sufficiently far apart to permit the use of a horse and cultivator in tending the crops4 ,time and confusion will also be saved if the vegetables are grouped according to their cultural requirements1 and the number of plantings made as small as is consistent with the demands of the various crops4 ,each group of crops may then be planted and tended as one crop1 and the garden operations thus greatly simplified4 ,when more than one planting of a given crop is desired for the sake of securing a succession1 the second planting may be put in at the same time that other crops are being planted1 so that even in this case1 the number of plantings need not be multiplied4 ,the use of two or more varieties of the same vegetable1 differing in their time of maturity1 will also aid in keeping down the number of different plantings4 ,the arrangement of the garden as to length of rows and time of planting1 is not the only labor saving feature that should characterize the typical farmer's garden4 ,field methods should be practiced in preparing the land for planting1 and as much preliminary work done in the fall as is possible1 for the sake of both securing an early garden and reducing the amount of labor in spring4 ,after the land is cleared of refuse from preceding crops1 it should be heavily manured1 and plowed in the fall4 ,the amount of manure to be applied will depend somewhat upon the fertility of the land1 but more largely upon the trueness of the farmer's conception of the plant food requirements of garden crops4 ,the best gardens are possible only where plant is supplied much more liberally than is considered ample for field crops4 ,forty tons of manure per acre is a very moderate application for garden crops1 and this amount should be applied annually1 even on soils already rich1 if maximum crops of vegetables are to be grown4 ,the plowing under of manure in the fall hastens the drying out of the soil in the spring1 so that planting may begin earlier than if the manuring and plowing were deferred until spring4 ,this is both because the soil actually dries out earlier1 and also because no time is lost in manuring or plowing after the soil has reached workable condition4 ,it often happens that early in the spring when the cool season crops should be planted1 the soil remains in ideal condition for working only a brief period1 and then becomes so thoroughly wet by copious rains that further garden work is precluded for two or three weeks4 ,if the manuring and plowing have been done in the fall1 it is often possible to plant the early vegetables in the brief period during which the soil is fit to work1 while otherwise this entire period might be expended in making preparations1 and the actual planting necessarily deferred until the next time the soil was dry4 ,since the success of many of the early crops depends upon early planting1 the wisdom of fall preparation is apparent4 ,if the land has been manured and plowed in the fall1 and is worked at the proper time in spring1 very little labor is necessary in the preparation of a seed-bed for the early planting4 ,soil containing sufficient humus to grow vegetable crops advantageously1 can be fitted for planting without the use of hand tools1 if the precaution is taken to work it at the exact time it reaches the right degree of dryness4 ,it will then crumble readily1 and a seed-bed can be prepared by the use of a disk1 harrow1 and planker4 ,the use of these tools saves an enormous amount of labor1 and is a vast improvement over the old method of using a hoe and rake4 ,the actual planting of the garden is a simple matter1 provided a definite plan has previously been made1 so that no time is lost in deciding which vegetable to plant first1 where to plant it1 or how much to plant4 ,in the home garden1 only a small amount of seed of each kind is planted1 so that a seed drill cannot be used to advantage1 and the planting is therefore almost invariably done by hand4 ,for the small vegetables1 sown in drills1 the planting involves four distinct operations3 7#a7 making the drills1 7#b7 dropping the seed1 7#c7 covering1 and 7#d7 firming4 ,the most rapid way of making the drills in a garden to be planted in long rows is to use a marker that makes three or four drills each time it is drawn across the area to be planted4 ,with a medium weight marker1 and the soil in proper condition for planting1 the marks will be of the proper depth for planting seeds of any of the smaller vegetables usually sown in drills4 ,for peas or beans a deeper drill may be made with the plow attachment of a wheel hoe4 ,after the seed is dropped1 it is covered with a rake1 or in the case of deep planting1 with a hoe1 or a wheel hoe4 ,the soil is firmed over the seed by the use of the feet1 the back of a hoe1 or a garden roller4 ,whatever the means employed1 the firming must be thorough1 especially in light soil or dry weather2 for unless the soil is brought in close contact with the seeds1 they will not germinate4--7,u4 ,ill4 ,b4 #aed47 ,cultivation4--,by the proper cultivation of the garden there is accomplished three things3 7#a7 ,the weeds are kept out so that they do not shade or take away valuable plant food and moisture from the plants which one desires to perfect4 7#b7 ,the surface soil is brought into the best condition to resist drouth2 that is1 into the best condition for availing itself to the utmost of the stores of water in the subsoil and to prevent the evaporation of this water from the surface soil4 7#c7 ,the stores of insoluble plant food are made soluble by the chemical action and fermentation1 which are increased by loosening the soil1 thereby letting in the air4 ,keeping ,out the ,weeds4--,the methods best adapted for keeping the weeds out of the garden are many and varied1 and depend much upon the condition and kind of soil in which the weeds grow2 upon the kind of crop and upon the habits of the weeds themselves4 ,the most important step in making easy the prevention of weeds in the garden is the harrowing or other thorough cultivation of the land just before the planting of the seed1 to kill the young weeds4 ,if this is done thoroughly1 the weeds do not have a better chance than the crop4 ,if this is not done1 the weeds will be ahead of the crop in growth1 and if started even ever so little when the crop is planted1 the result generally is that the crop is seriously overgrown by them before it is large enough to be cultivated4 ,this is a common mistake1 and is1 perhaps1 responsible for more failures in the garden than any other factor which enters into the consideration of this subject2 and it is a very simple matter to prevent any trouble from this source if a little foresight is exercised4 ,early ,cultivation to ,kill ,weeds4--,the next most important factor in the prevention of weeds in the garden is early cultivation4 ,in the case of seeds that require a long time to germinate1 it is an excellent plan to lightly rake over the land with an ordinary fine-toothed rake1 even before the crop appears above the ground1 providing the work is so carefully done as not to disturb the seeds4 ,when the seed is sown with a drill1 the line of the row may be plainly seen even before the plants come up1 thus making it easy to commence cultivating it in advance of the weeds4 ,in case of such crops as carrots1 onions1 parsnips and beets1 which are quite delicate when young1 cultivation should begin with some hand garden cultivator1 even if it is intended later on to cultivate with a horse1 and the crop is planted with this purpose in view4 ,such close and careful work cannot be done with any horse implement now in use as with the best hand implements4 ,with proper tools1 the work may be done nearly as quickly by hand as by horse power1 and far more perfectly when the plants are small4 ,careful early cultivation is of the utmost importance1 since1 if the weeds are removed when they are young1 the work of weeding is very small4 ,if allowed to remain until well rooted1 their removal is often a very serious matter1 and frequently1 if neglected at this early stage1 the weeds become so firmly established as to make it a question whether to remove them or plow under the whole crop2 and often it is the part of wisdom to adopt the latter alternative4 ,aside from its effect in the prevention of weeds1 early cultivation is of great value in breaking up the crust that packs firmly around the tender growing stems of plants1 and that seriously interferes with their growth4 ,it is also1 like all surface cultivation1 of aid in the conservation of moisture in the soil4 ,importance of ,not ,allowing ,weeds to ,go to ,seed4--,a common source of weed infection is often found in the few weeds that are allowed to go to seed toward the end of the growing season in the maturing crop or after the crop has been gathered4 ,to some farmers it often seems a small matter to allow a few plants of pig-weed1 purslane1 tumble weed and weeds of other kinds to go to seed in the garden1 but absolute cleanliness should be the only rule in this particular1 and it is by far the most economical in practice in the long run4 ,it requires but little labor and saves much useless expense to destroy weeds that are going to seed4 ,if the preventives for weeds suggested are closely followed hand weeding will be reduced to a minimum and will often be unnecessary with any crop4 ,weed ,seeds in ,manure for the ,garden4--,the manure applied to the garden is often coarse and contains many weed seeds1 and is a fruitful source of weed infection4 ,the manure intended for the garden that contains the seeds of weeds should be piled up and allowed to ferment until the whole mass is thoroughly rotted4 ,by this means the seeds in it will be killed4 ,but in order to rot manure to best advantage1 it should be forked over occasionally when well warmed up by fermentation1 and the whole turned over1 with the outside of the pile thrown into the center4 ,if dry1 it should be watered enough to enable fermentation to continue1 and to prevent fire-fanging4 ,it is seldom advisable to use fresh manure in the garden1 and manure should only be applied in this condition when free from weeds1 and then only for some late-maturing crops1 in which case there will be time for it to rot before the crops need it4 ,all early crops need well rotted manure1 and require it in much larger quantities than do the late-maturing crops4--7,u4 ,minn4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s4 #ch47 ,general ,cultivation4--,the methods to be pursued in the general cultivation of garden crops will vary somewhat1 according to the soil1 season and crop4 ,however1 it is very important to remember that the destruction of weeds is but a small part of the work of cultivation4 ,the most important part is to so fit the soil that it may best withstand drouth4 ,this is accomplished by frequent shallow cultivation during the period of growth4 ,the first implements to use in the care of such crops as are generally cultivated by hand are those that work the soil to only a very slight depth1 close to the plants4 ,such implements may be used just as the seedlings are breaking ground4 ,as soon as the plants have gained some little strength1 implements should be used that will go deeper1 until a depth of two or three inches can be easily worked without endangering the safety of the crop by covering the plants with dirt4 ,it is doubtful if any of our garden crops should ever be cultivated more than three inches deep1 and it is very certain that many crops are injured by cultivating deeply very close to the plants1 in which case the roots are cut off near their upper ends and thus wholly destroyed4 ,cultivation in a period of drouth results in forming a mulch or blanket of dry earth on the surface of the land1 which prevents the moisture from passing into the atmosphere1 and a rather shallow blanket1 say two inches deep1 accomplishes this purpose4 ,a compact subsoil readily transmits the water upwards to the surface soil1 in the same manner that a lamp wick carries the oil to the flame4 ,at the surface the soil water is prevented from evaporating by a blanket of loose earth1 and is thus saved in the upper subsoil and lower and middle parts of the furrow slice for the roots of the crop2 loose surface soil is a good non-conductor of water4 ,during the growth of a crop1 the surface of the ground should never be left long with a crust on it1 but should be stirred after each rain or after artificially watering4 ,,tools4 ,there are a number of one-horse cultivators that are especially adapted for work in the garden4 ,these may be provided with several sizes of teeth and shovels1 and are easily transformed for various kinds of work4 ,in working the crops while they are small the harrow or smaller teeth may be used1 and later when the plants become larger the size of the shovels may be increased4 ,many gardeners1 however1 prefer to use the harrow teeth at all times4 ,when it is desirable to ridge up the soil around a crop1 the wings1 or hillers1 may be put on either side of the cultivator4 ,a one-horse turning plow is useful for running off rows or throwing up ridges4 ,aside from the horse tools in general use on the farm1 there are only one or two cultivators that will be required for the garden1 and these are not expensive4 ,the outfit of hand tools for the garden should include a spade1 a spading fork1 a cut-steel rake1 a #aj-;foot measuring pole1 a line for laying off rows1 a standard hoe1 a narrow hoe1 dibbles1 a trowel1 an assortment of hand weeders1 a watering can1 a wheelbarrow1 and if the work is to be done largely by hand the outfit should also include some form of wheel hoe1 of which there are a number on the market4 ,,mulching4 ,the term mulch as generally used means a layer of litter applied to the surface of the ground primarily for the purpose of retarding evaporation from the soil4 ,mulches are thus used as a substitute for cultivation to conserve the moisture in the soil in summer and to keep down weeds4 ,they are also used as winter and spring coverings for low-growing small fruits to retard flowering and fruiting and thus to protect them from injury by late frosts4 ,what is termed a soil mulch or dust mulch is maintained by frequent cultivation of the surface soil1 and1 like the ordinary mulch1 is an effective means of retarding evaporation4 ,among the common materials used for mulching crops are straw1 marsh hay1 and leaves4 ,these materials are usually applied to the whole surface of the soil in layers #d to #f inches deep4 ,mulching crops with straw or other litter is not very common4 ,on a large scale it is too expensive4 ,it frequently happens on a farm1 however1 that spring finds an old straw stack in the barnyard that will be practically valueless for feed the following winter4 ,can it be used profitably as a mulch8 ,this question was investigated quite thoroughly by the ,nebraska ,station4 ,experiments were made to determine how mulching vegetables compares with the most thorough cultivation as a general farm practice4 ,old straw was the material used4 ,after settling1 the layer applied was about #d inches deep4 ,a large number of different vegetables were grown4 ,in general it was found that mulching in ,nebraska gave much better results in normal or dry seasons than in wet seasons4 ,the value of the mulch in conserving the soil moisture was found to be quite marked4 ,soil samples taken one season in ,july and ,august showed the moisture content to a depth of #f inches to be #ah4b per cent1 as compared with #ag4a per cent in cultivated soil4 ,when the mulch was applied early in the season before the ground became thoroughly wet1 it often had a retarding effect on the growth of the vegetables4 ,with early spring vegetables1 like lettuce1 which require only a few cultivations1 it was found cheaper and better to cultivate than to mulch2 but with longer-growing crops that require frequent cultivation throughout the season1 such as cabbage1 tomatoes1 etc41 mulching usually proved more effective and cheaper than cultivation4 ,the fact that most vegetables1 especially the more tender kinds1 can not be mulched1 until they have become well established and the weather has become warm1 thus requiring some preliminary cultivation1 certainly increases the labor required in growing mulched vegetables over what would be necessary if the mulch could be applied earlier4 ,but1 if the impracticability of early mulching is a serious drawback to the use of mulches1 so is the impracticability of midsummer cultivation under farm conditions a serious objection to dependence upon cultivation alone4 ,for most vegetables mulching should be used to supplement cultivation rather than to displace it4 ,such cultivation as is commonly given farm gardens is better for most vegetables in early spring than mulching2 but mulching is just as surely better in midsummer than the neglect which is the common thing in farm gardens at that time of year4 ,the experiment station tests have indeed shown mulching to be better in many cases than the most thorough cultivation throughout the summer4 ,the station tests indicate that it is unwise to mulch drilled onions1 lettuce1 or sweet corn4 ,the stand of the onions and lettuce is injured by mulching1 while so few cultivations are required for sweet corn that mulching is hardly profitable1 and in wet seasons the yield was decidedly decreased by mulching4 ,with transplanted onions1 beets1 salsify1 parsley1 peas1 and melons the labor required and yield obtained were found to be about the same by either method of culture4 ,with cabbage1 tomatoes1 beans1 cucumbers1 potatoes1 and sweet potatoes1 very favorable results were secured by mulching4 ,the yields of each of these crops were considerably increased by mulching and the labor required was considerably less than in case of cultivation alone4 ,mulched cabbage produced larger heads than cultivated cabbage1 and there was less injury from rot4 ,the vigor of tomato plants was decreased by mulching1 but the yield of fruit increased4 ,the fruit was also cleaner and less subject to rot4 ,mulched cucumbers produced perfect fruits during dry periods when the fruit from the cultivated plants was small and imperfect4 ,the quality of potatoes was not hurt by mulching except in wet places4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,wheel ,,hoe ,,is ,,the ,,handiest ,,garden ,,tool ,illustration3 ,,the ,,easiest ,,running ,,wheel ,,hoe ,,valuable ,,for ,,maintaining ,a ,,dust ,,mulch ,in a special test of a #d-;inch and #h-;inch straw mulch and early and late mulching for potatoes a #d-;inch mulch applied late in summer after several cultivations gave the best results4 ,in the case of sweet potatoes the vines did not take root through the straw mulch as they do on cultivated ground1 which was considered a decided advantage for mulching4 ,on the whole this work seems to indicate that on the farm where cultivation of the garden is likely to be neglected in midsummer1 a mulch of straw can be used profitably as a substitute4 ,for the best results the mulch should not be applied until the ground has become thoroughly warmed up and after two or three cultivations have been given4 ,the mulch may then be safely applied to such vegetables as cabbage1 tomatoes1 potatoes1 and beans1 and the garden left to take care of itself the rest of the season4 ,the same plans were worked at the ,new ,jersey stations4 ,one season it was found that mulching increased the yield of sound fruits of eggplants #ff4e per cent and of tomatoes and peppers about #ac per cent each4 ,the keeping quality of cucumbers also appeared to be slightly benefited by the use of a mulch4 ,the season following1 which was considerably more rainy1 no advantage resulted from mulching4 ,in this experiment there was no noticeable difference in the effectiveness of new salt hay1 old hay1 or excelsior as a mulch4 ,several of the experiment stations have carried out experiments in mulching potatoes4 ,the favorable results obtained in such experiments in dry seasons at the ,nebraska ,station have already been referred to4 ,at the ,michigan ,station the following yields were obtained3 ,mulched1 #afg bushels of potatoes per acre2 cultivated1 #aii bushels per acre4 ,with another variety the yield of mulched potatoes was #beb bushels1 and of cultivated1 #che bushels4 ,the cost of cultivation was less than the cost of mulching1 and the profit in both instances was in favor of cultivation4 ,it should be stated1 however1 that there was a large amount of rain during this season1 and that the straw used as a mulch contained a considerable amount of grain1 which came up on the mulched plats1 both of which conditions were unfavorable to mulching4 ,at the ,oklahoma ,station the total potato crop was increased about #ej per cent by mulching1 the marketable crop nearly #ajj per cent1 and the size of the tubers about #gj per cent4 ,mulching potatoes with old shavings at the ,new ,jersey stations increased the total number of tubers on a small plat about #af per cent and the weight of the crop about #ce per cent4 ,at the ,georgia ,station mulching potatoes with pine straw was not found to be of sufficient value to recommend the practice4 ,these conflicting results secured with potatoes would seem to confirm the conclusion reached at the ,nebraska ,station that mulching is of greatest value in a dry season4 ,there is1 however1 a drawback to mulching that may not at first occur to the reader1 viz41 the danger it involves from fire4 ,in dry weather a lighted match or cigar dropped upon the mulch may easily start a conflagration that it may be impossible to stop until the orchard is destroyed4 ,it gives disaffected trespassers in the orchard an excellent opportunity to take vengeance upon the owner4 ,the cost of the mulch will of course depend much upon the price at which the material may be obtained4 ,clean wheat1 rye1 or oats straw would answer the purpose well1 and in many localities would be cheaper than marsh hay4 ,in some seasons oats sown as a second crop would grow fast enough to make mulching material by the time of frost4 ,in the vicinity of marshes the coarser marsh grasses that have no value as hay may be cut after the ground freezes in autumn and would make excellent material for mulching4 ,cornstalks have been suggested1 but they are probably too coarse to keep down weeds4 ,it has been suggested that by sowing rye in ,september1 and harvesting the crop the following ,june1 and then sowing the same ground to millet1 the rye straw with the millet would mulch an area of plums equal to that on which the two crops were grown1 and would leave the thrashed rye to compensate for the labor4 ,this is certainly worth trying by those who have no better source from which to obtain mulching4--7,nebr4 ,sta4 ,bul41 #gi1 #hj47 ,,irrigation4 ,throughout the portions of the country where rains occur during the growing season it should not be necessary to irrigate except occasionally in order to produce the ordinary garden crops4 ,in arid regions1 where irrigation must be depended upon for the production of crops1 the system best adapted for use in that particular locality should be employed in the garden4 ,wherever irrigation is practiced the water should not be applied until needed1 and then the soil should be thoroughly soaked4 ,after irrigation1 the land should be cultivated as soon as the surface becomes sufficiently dry1 and no more water should be applied until the plants begin to show the need of additional moisture4 ,constant or excessive watering is very detrimental in every case4 ,apply the water at any time of the day that is most convenient and when the plants require it4 ,by the subirrigation method of watering1 lines of farm drain tiles or perforated pipes are laid on a level a few inches below the surface of the soil4 ,this system is especially adapted for use in backyard gardens where city water is available and where the area under cultivation is small4 ,subirrigation is expensive to install1 as the lines of tiles should be about #c feet apart1 or one line for each standard row4 ,by connecting the tiles at one end by means of a tile across the rows the water may be discharged into the tiles at one point from a hose1 and will find its way to all parts of the system1 entering the soil through the openings4 ,,thinning4 ,where plants are not to be transplanted twice1 but remain in the plant bed until required for setting in the garden1 it may be necessary to thin them somewhat4 ,this part of the work should be done as soon as the plants are large enough to pull1 and before they begin to draw or become spindling from crowding4 ,when thinning plants in the plant bed it should be the aim to remove the centers of the thick bunches1 leaving the spaces as uniform as possible4 ,when thinning the rows of seedlings in the garden the best plants should be allowed to remain1 but due consideration should be given to the matter of proper spacing4 ,failure to thin plants properly will invariably result in the production of an inferior crop4 ,there is a tendency for some gardeners to leave the plants of carrots1 onions1 and similar vegetables too thick1 or to defer the thinning too long1 with the intention of making use of the thinnings4 ,usually this is a serious error1 except in the case of beets1 which can be used quite young for greens4 ,the crowded seedlings do not reach edible size as soon as they would if not crowded2 and the removal of part of the crowded plants when they are wanted for the table is likely to seriously disturb and impair the growth of those which remain4 ,a better plan is to make at least a preliminary thinning as early as possible1 leaving the plants perhaps twice as thick as they are eventually to stand2 and then to pull out every other plant after they reach edible size4 ,this method of thinning is especially adapted to beets1 carrots1 lettuce and onions4 ,the other root crops1 like parsnips and salsify1 should be thinned to the full distance at the first thinning4--7,u4 ,wis4 ,cir4 #af2 ,f4 ,b4 #bee47 ,,transplanting4 ,at the ,north1 where the growing season is short1 it is necessary to transplant several of the garden crops in order to secure strong plants that will mature within the limits of the growing season4 ,in the ,southern ,states the season is longer1 and transplanting1 while desirable1 may not be necessary1 as many crops that must be started indoors at the ,north can be planted in the garden where they are to remain4 ,transplanting should be done as soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle1 and again when the plants begin to crowd one another4 ,aside from producing more uniform and hardy plants1 the transplanting process has several other very marked influences4 ,certain crops which are grown for their straight roots are often injured by having their roots bent or broken in transplanting4 ,on the other hand1 such plants as celery1 which at first have a straight root and are grown for their tops1 are greatly benefited by transplanting4 ,in all cases transplanting has a tendency to increase the number of small roots1 and these are the main dependence of the plant at the time it is set in the open ground4 ,a large number of garden crops1 including melons1 cucumbers1 and beans1 do not transplant readily from the seed bed to the open ground1 and some special means for handling the plants must be employed where extra early planting is desired4 ,a common practice among gardeners is to fill pint or quart berry boxes with good soil and plant a single hill in each box4 ,another method is to cut sods into pieces about #b inches thick and #f inches square and place them1 root side upward1 on the greenhouse bench or in the hotbed1 the hills being planted in the loamy soil held in place by the roots of the grass4 ,when the weather becomes sufficiently warm1 and it is desired to set the plants in the garden1 the berry boxes or pieces of sod are placed on a flat tray and carried to the place where the planting is to be done4 ,holes of sufficient size and depth are dug and the boxes or sods are simply buried at the points where it is desired to have the hills of plants4 ,the boxes should be placed a little below the surface and fine earth worked in around the plants4 ,if it is thought desirable1 the bottoms of the boxes may be cut away when set in the garden4 ,,setting ,,in ,,the ,,open ,,ground4 ,a few hours before removing plants from the seed bed or plant bed they should be well watered and the water allowed to soak into the soil4 ,this will insure a portion of the soil adhering to the roots and prevent the plants from wilting4 ,if the plants have been properly thinned or transplanted it is often possible to run a knife or trowel between them1 thus cutting the soil into cubes that are transferred with them to the garden4 ,where the soil does not adhere to the roots of the plants it is well to puddle them4 ,in the process of puddling1 a hole is dug in the earth near the plant bed1 or a large pail may be used for the purpose1 and a thin slime1 consisting of clay1 cow manure1 and water1 is prepared4 ,the plants are taken in small bunches and their roots thoroughly coated with this mixture by dipping them up and down in the puddle a few times4 ,puddling insures a coating of moist earth over the entire root system of the plant1 prevents the air from reaching the rootlets while on the way to the garden1 and aids in securing direct contact between the roots and the soil4 ,previous to setting out plants1 the land should be worked over and put in good condition1 and everything should be ready for quick operations when a suitable time arrives4 ,the rows should be measured off1 but it is well to defer making the furrows or digging the holes until ready to plant1 in order to have the soil fresh4 ,the time best suited for transferring plants from the plant bed to the open ground is when there is considerable moisture in the air and clouds obscure the sun1 and if the plants can be set before a shower there will be no difficulty in getting them to grow4 ,during seasons when there is very little rain at planting time1 or in irrigated regions1 evening is the best time to set the plants4 ,it is possible to set plants in quite dry soil1 provided the roots are puddled and the earth well packed about them4 ,when water is used in setting plants it should be applied after the hole has been partially filled1 and the moist earth should then be covered with dry soil to prevent baking4 ,where water is available for irrigation it will be sufficient to puddle the roots and then irrigate after the plants are all in place4 ,plants should be set a trifle deeper in the garden than they were in the plant bed4 ,the majority of plants require to be set upright1 and where the dibble is used for planting care should be taken that the soil is well pressed around the roots and no air spaces left4 ,,precautions ,,to ,,avoid ,,attacks ,,of ,,insects ,,and ,,diseases4 ,in the control of insects and diseases that infest garden crops it is often possible to accomplish a great amount of good by careful sanitary management4 ,in the autumn1 after the crops have been harvested1 or as fast as any crop is disposed of1 any refuse that remains should be gathered and placed in the compost heap1 or burned if diseased or infested with insects4 ,several of the garden insects find protection during the winter under boards and any loose material that may remain in the garden4 ,dead vines or leaves of plants are frequently covered with spores of diseases that affect those crops during the growing season1 and these should be burned1 as they possess very little fertilizing value4 ,,protection ,,of ,,plants4 ,some plants require protection from the direct rays of the sun in summer or from cold in winter1 and there are many that need special protection while they are quite small4 ,seedlings of many of the garden crops are unable to force their way through the crust formed on the soil after heavy rains1 and it is necessary either to break the crust with a steel rake or soften it by watering4 ,in parts of the country where the sunshine is extremely hot during a part of the summer1 some plants1 especially those that are grown for salad purposes1 are benefited by shading4 ,shading is often used in the care of small plants when they are first transplanted4 ,where boards are available they can be used for protecting plants that have been set in rows in the garden by placing them on the south side of the row at an angle that will cast a shadow over the plants1 and holding them in place by short stakes driven in the ground4 ,laths1 wooden slats1 cotton cloth1 or shaded sash are frequently used to protect plant beds from the heat of summer4 ,for protecting plants from cold in winter several kinds of materials are used1 such as boards1 cloth1 pine boughs1 straw1 manure1 or leaves4 ,there are a number of crops of a tropical nature that may be grown far north1 provided they are properly protected during the winter4 ,several of the annual crops can be matured much earlier in the spring if they are planted in the autumn and protected during the winter4 ,plants of this kind can often be protected by means of boards set at an angle on the north side of the row instead of on the south4 ,a mulch of manure1 straw1 or leaves forms a good protection1 but care should be taken that the mulch does not contain seeds of any kind or serious trouble will attend the further cultivation of the crop4 ,plants are like animals in that they require air1 and care should be exercised in putting on the winter covering not to smother them4 ,coarse1 loose materials are better for a winter covering than fine1 easily compacted substances4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee47 ,,harvesting1 ,,packing ,,and ,,shipping4 ,as a rule the crop should be harvested just before it reaches maturity4 ,the time for this depends somewhat upon the distance from the market and the method of shipment4 ,remember that it costs just as much freight for a package of poor goods as for the best1 and while there is a market for good produce1 poor stuff not only does not bring good prices1 but reacts upon the superior article1 reducing its price4 ,it is1 therefore1 poor policy to ship inferior goods4 ,inspect and assort rigorously1 retaining all doubtful product for canning1 or to be otherwise disposed of4 ,better lose it entirely than send it to market to undermine the good4 ,learn what kind of package the market you are selling in prefers4 ,provide that package1 and pack the goods securely and honestly4 ,be sure the package is full4 ,not only is this more honest1 but your produce will arrive upon the market in better condition if this is done4 ,have the goods in each package as near the same size as possible1 and as near the same degree of ripeness4 ,do not make the error of placing the best on top4 ,remember that every package is examined by the buyer until he learns whether you are honest or not1 and this practice fools no one1 and only serves to make the buyer wary of your goods4 ,pack neatly in a neat clean package4 ,nail it up securely1 stencil your name and post office1 and the name of the consignee upon it1 and ship as promptly1 and by the most direct route possible4 ,notify the consignee promptly of the shipment in order that he may know it is on the way1 and have a chance to provide for its reception and disposal4 ,the shipment of perishable goods by freight in refrigerator cars is preferable4 ,very early in the season ventilated cars may give satisfaction4 ,except with a few packages of very early vegetables or fruits1 express shipments will not1 as a rule1 be found profitable4 ,not only will the charges be four or five fold1 but the packages are handled so often1 and so roughly1 that they invariably reach their destination in poor condition4 ,besides this1 there is no assurance as to the temperature being kept low1 and a low temperature1 while in transit1 is essential to the arrival of your produce upon the market in good condition4 ,careful selection1 packing and shipping cannot be too strongly urged4 ,upon the intelligence and care with which this is done1 depends1 largely1 the success of the shipper4 ,remember that after leaving your hands1 and before reaching the consumer1 these perishable goods are subjected to their greatest ordeal1 and too much care cannot be given to make this test as light as possible4 ,a proper understanding of this by the shipper would save many a disappointment1 and many a hard word for the consignee4 ,of course1 all else being equal1 it is much safer and more satisfactory to sell on the track4 ,however1 this is not always possible1 nor is it always advisable when possible4 ,it would be unjust to demand or to expect the buyer to pay you the net price of the big city market for your goods at your home town4 ,in buying from you there1 he takes the risk of transportation1 of the fluctuations of the market1 and pays all selling charges1 and it is but just and right that he should be allowed a fair margin for these risks4 ,on the other hand1 human nature is the same the world over1 and unless you watch ,mr4 ,buyer closely1 you will find he shows a decided tendency to make this margin unnecessarily large4 ,to sell on track1 intelligently and advantageously1 therefore1 you must make a close study of the market conditions4 ,it is not enough to know what stuff sold for last week4 ,you should know what it sold for the day before1 and what the conditions of supply and demand are4 ,is the crop a large one8 ,is the movement to your market large or light8 ,is the demand brisk or dull8 ,is your railroad service efficient8 ,all these questions should be considered1 and unless the farmer recognizes that the disposal of his crop is a business1 and adopts business methods1 he is sure to come to grief4 ,in order to do this1 it is necessary to have some reliable source of information4 ,for this purpose1 select some reliable commission house1 and if necessary1 pay them to furnish you daily market reports by wire during the shipping season4 ,do not begrudge the little money these telegrams will cost1 for they will frequently save you many a dollar1 even on one carload4--7,la4 ,st4 ,u4 ,a4 ,m4 ,col4 #ha47 ,,canning ,,vegetables ,,in ,,the ,,home4 ,one of the many problems that confront the ,american housewife is the supply of vegetables for her table during the winter months4 ,what can ,i have for dinner today8 is a question often heard4 ,since the advent of the modern greenhouse and the forcing of vegetables under glass1 fresh vegetables can usually be found at any time in the markets of the large cities4 ,but the cost of forcing vegetables or growing them out of season is and will continue to be very great4 ,this makes the price so high as almost to prohibit their use by people of moderate means1 except as a luxury4 ,a healthful diet1 however1 must include vegetables1 and therefore the housewife turns to canned goods as the only alternative4 ,these are sometimes poor substitutes for the fresh article1 especially the cheaper commercial grades1 which necessarily lack the delicate flavor of the fresh vegetable4 ,there is practically no danger1 however1 from contamination with tin or other metals providing the containers are made of proper materials and handled carefully4 ,in some cases the proper care is not taken in packing vegetables for market4 ,the decayed and refuse portions are not so carefully removed as they should be and the requisite degree of cleanliness is not observed in their packing4 ,happily1 however1 such carelessness is not general4 ,every housewife may run a miniature canning factory in her own kitchen1 and on the farm this is especially economical and desirable1 the economy being less pronounced in the case of city dwellers1 who must buy their fruits and vegetables4 ,enough vegetables annually go to waste from the average farm garden to supply the table during the entire winter4 ,but usually the farmer's wife cans her tomatoes1 preserves her fruits1 and leaves her most wholesome and nutritious vegetables to decay in the field1 under the impression that it is impossible to keep them4 ,this is a great mistake4 ,it is just as easy to keep corn or string beans as it is to keep tomatoes1 if you know how4 ,sterilization4--,the great secret of canning or preserving lies in complete sterilization4 ,the air we breathe1 the water we drink1 all fruits and vegetables1 are teeming with minute forms of life which we call bacteria1 or molds1 or germs4 ,these germs are practically the sole cause of decomposition or rotting4 ,the exclusion of air from canned articles1 which was formerly supposed to be so important1 is unnecessary provided the air is sterile or free from germs4 ,the exclusion of air is necessary only because in excluding it we exclude the germ4 ,in other words1 air which has been sterilized or freed from germs by heat or mechanical means can be passed continuously over canned articles without affecting them in the least4 ,if a glass bottle is filled with some vegetable which ordinarily spoils very rapidly--for instance1 string beans--and1 instead of a cork1 it is stoppered with a thick plug of raw cotton and heated until all germ life is destroyed1 the beans will keep indefinitely4 ,the air can readily pass in and out of the bottle through the plug of cotton1 while the germs from the outside air cannot pass through1 but are caught and held in its meshes4 ,this shows that the germs and their spores or seeds are the only causes of spoilage that we have to deal with in canning4 ,germs which cause decay may be divided into three classes--yeasts1 molds and bacteria4 ,all three of these are themselves plants of a very low order1 and all attack other plants of a higher order in somewhat the same way4 ,every housewife is familiar with the yeast plant and its habits4 ,it thrives in substances containing sugar1 which it decomposes or breaks up into carbonic acid and alcohol4 ,this fact is made use of in bread making1 as well as in the manufacture of distilled spirits4 ,yeasts are easily killed1 so they can be left out of consideration in canning vegetables4 ,molds1 like yeasts1 thrive in mixtures containing sugar1 as well as in acid vegetables1 such as the tomato1 where neither yeasts nor bacteria readily grow4 ,although more resistant to heat than yeasts1 they are usually killed at the temperature of boiling water4 ,as a general rule1 molds are likely to attack jellies and preserves and are not concerned with the spoiling of canned vegetables4 ,the spoiling of vegetables is due primarily to bacteria4 ,the reproduction of bacteria is brought about by one of two processes4 ,the germ either divides itself into two parts1 making two bacteria where one existed before1 or else reproduces itself by means of spores4 ,these spores may be compared with seeds of an ordinary plant1 and they present the chief difficulty in canning vegetables4 ,while the parent bacteria may be readily killed at the temperature of boiling water1 the seeds retain their vitality for a long time even at that temperature1 and upon cooling will germinate1 and the newly formed bacteria will begin their destructive work4 ,therefore it is necessary1 in order to completely sterilize a vegetable1 to heat it to the boiling point of water and keep it at that temperature for about one hour1 upon two or three successive days1 or else keep it at the temperature of boiling water for a long period of time--about five hours4 ,the process of boiling upon successive days is the one that is always employed in scientific work and is much to be preferred4 ,the boiling on the first day kills all the molds and practically all of the bacteria1 but does not kill the spores or seeds4 ,as soon as the jar cools these seeds germinate and a fresh crop of bacteria begin work upon the vegetables4 ,the boiling upon the second day kills this crop of bacteria before they have had time to develop spores4 ,the boiling upon the third day is not always necessary1 but is advisable in order to be sure that the sterilization is complete4 ,among scientists this is called fractional sterilization1 and this principle constitutes the whole secret of canning4 ,if the housewife will only bear this in mind she will be able with a little ingenuity to can any meat1 fruit1 or vegetable4 ,exclusion of the ,air4--,even after sterilization is complete the work is not yet done4 ,the spores of bacteria are so light that they float about in the air and settle upon almost everything4 ,the air is alive with them4 ,a bubble of air no larger than a pea may contain hundreds of them4 ,therefore it is necessary after sterilizing a jar of vegetables to exclude carefully all outside air4 ,if one bacterium or one of its spores should get in and find a resting place1 in the course of a few days the contents of the jar would spoil4 ,this is why the exclusion of air is an important factor1 not because the air itself does any damage but because of the ever-present bacteria4 ,all of this may seem new fashioned and unnecessary to some housekeepers4 ,persons have quite often heard it said3 ,my grandmother never did this1 and she was the most successful woman at canning that ,i ever knew4 ,possibly so1 but it must be remembered that grandmother made her preserves--delicious they were1 too--and canned her tomatoes1 but did not attempt to keep the most nutritious and most delicately flavored vegetables1 such as lima beans1 string beans1 okra1 asparagus1 or even corn4 ,so-,called ,preserving ,powders4--,there are a great many brands of so-called preserving powders on the market4 ,these are sold not only under advertised trade names but by druggists and peddlers everywhere4 ,in the directions for use the housewife is told to fill the jar with the fruit or vegetable to be canned1 to cover with water1 and to add a teaspoonful of the powder4 ,it is true that these powders may prevent the decay of the fruit or vegetable1 but they also encourage uncleanly1 careless work1 and in the hands of inexperienced persons may be dangerous4 ,while with small doses the influence may not be apparent in an adult in normal health1 with a child or an invalid the effect may be of a serious nature4 ,the proper way to sterilize is by means of heat1 and as this can be done very easily and cheaply the use of chemical preservatives in canning is not to be recommended4 ,kinds of ,jars4--,the first requisite for successful canning is a good jar4 ,glass is the most satisfactory4 ,tin is more or less soluble in the juices of fruits and vegetables4 ,even the most improved styles of tin cans which are lacquered on the inside to prevent the juice from coming in contact with the tin are open to this objection4 ,while the amount of tin dissolved under these conditions is very small1 enough does come through the lacquer and into the contents of the can to be detected in an ordinary analysis4 ,while the small amount of tin may not be injurious1 it gives an undesirable color to many canned articles4 ,tin cans can not readily be used a second time1 while glass with proper care will last indefinitely4 ,there are a great many kinds of glass jars on the market1 many of them possessing certain distinct points of advantage4 ,the ordinary screw-top jar is the one in most common use4 ,although cheap in price1 these jars are the most expensive in the long run4 ,the tops last only a few years and1 being cheaply made1 the breakage is usually greater than that of a better grade of jar4 ,the tops also furnish an excellent hiding place for germs1 which makes sterilization very difficult4 ,the most satisfactory jar is the one which has a rubber ring and glass top1 held in place by a simple wire spring4 ,there are several brands of these jars on the market1 so no difficulty should be experienced in obtaining them4 ,vegetables often spoil after being sterilized because of defective rubbers4 ,it is poor economy to buy cheap rubbers or to use them a second time4 ,as a general rule black rubbers are more durable than white ones4 ,buy a good grade of jar4 ,the best quality usually retails at from a dollar to a dollar and twenty-five cents a dozen4 ,the initial expense may be1 therefore1 somewhat high1 but with proper care they should last many years4 ,the annual breakage should be less than #c per cent on the average4 ,in selecting a jar always give preference to those having wide mouths4 ,in canning whole fruit or vegetables and in cleaning the jars the wide mouth will be found to be decidedly preferable4 ,containers for ,sterilizing4--,a tin clothes boiler with a false bottom made of wire netting cut to fit may be used as a container for sterilizing4 ,the netting is made of medium-sized galvanized wire 7,no4 #af7 with one-half inch mesh4 ,a false bottom is absolutely necessary1 as the jars will break if set flat upon the bottom of the boiler4 ,narrow strips of wood1 straw1 or almost anything of this nature may be used for the purpose1 but the wire gauze is clean and convenient4 ,there are several varieties of patent steamers or steam cookers in common use4 ,these have either one or two doors and hold a dozen or more quart jars4 ,they are ideal for canning1 but they are somewhat expensive and can be easily dispensed with4 ,a common ham boiler or clothes boiler with a tight-fitting cover will answer every purpose4--7,f4 ,b4 #cei47 ,selection and ,preparation of ,vegetables4--,the first step in successful canning is the selection and preparation of the vegetables4 ,never attempt to can any vegetable that has matured and commenced to harden or one that has begun to decay4 ,as a general rule1 young vegetables are superior in flavor and texture to the more mature ones4 ,this is especially true of string beans1 okra1 and asparagus4 ,vegetables are better if gathered in the early morning while the dew is still on them4 ,if it is impossible to can them immediately1 do not allow them to wither1 but put them in cold water1 or in a cold1 damp place and keep them crisp until you are ready for them4 ,do your canning in a well-swept and well-dusted room4 ,this will tend to reduce the number of spores floating about and lessen the chances of inoculation4 ,,storing4 ,the assortment of vegetables which can be made available for winter use is much larger than is ordinarily supposed4 ,no less than thirty distinct kinds of vegetables can be preserved for winter use by proper methods of storing1 canning1 and pickling4 ,of these1 at least twenty may be kept in the fresh state1 without canning or pickling4 ,besides the staple crop1 potatoes1 the list includes the root crops 7beets1 carrots1 horse-radish1 parsnips1 winter radish1 ruta-baga1 salsify1 turnips71 kohl-rabi1 cabbage1 celery1 leeks1 chicory1 parsley1 onions1 dry beans1 pumpkins1 squashes and sweet potatoes4 ,the vegetables most commonly canned are rhubarb1 tomatoes1 corn1 peas and string beans2 those commonly preserved by pickling are cauliflower1 cucumbers 7both green and ripe71 citron1 green peppers and green tomatoes4 ,when vegetables are to be canned or pickled1 it is not usually necessary to grow them especially for that purpose1 except to make sure that a suitable variety is planted in sufficient quantity4 ,when the vegetables have reached the right stage of maturity and the supply is abundant1 part of the crop is simply canned or pickled without special regard to the particular time in the season it may be done4 ,however1 with vegetables to be preserved in the fresh state for winter use it is essential that they be planted at such a time that they will reach the right stage of development at the proper season for storing4 ,this means that in the case of some of the crops they will be planted considerably later than if designed for summer use1 since the product is of better quality if not allowed to continue growth after reaching the desired stage of development1 and this stage should not be reached before the arrival of the storage season4 ,since most vegetables usually keep best if put into storage comparatively late1 it should be the aim of the gardener to mature the vegetables for winter use as late in the season as he can1 and yet have them harvested before they are injured by cold4 ,of the vegetables stored for winter1 some require entirely different conditions in storage than do others1 so that attempts to store all vegetables under the same conditions would result only in failure4 ,in order that the root crops may be stored without wilting1 rotting or starting into growth1 they must be kept cool1 fairly moist1 and away from contact with circulating air4 ,cabbage may be successfully stored under the same conditions4 ,onions must be kept at a low temperature1 but differ from the root crops in that they must be in a dry atmosphere and have free circulation of air4 ,in a moist atmosphere1 under high temperature1 they would either rot or sprout4 ,vegetables that are expected to continue growth while in storage1 such as celery1 leeks1 ,brussels sprouts1 chicory and parsley1 must be planted in dirt and the roots kept moist4 ,air should circulate freely about the tops1 and the temperature must be low4 ,on the other hand1 sweet potatoes1 pumpkins and squashes demand a high temperature and dry atmosphere1 with free circulation of air4 ,the conditions of storage favorable to the different crops are secured in various ways4 ,market gardeners use outdoor pits or specially constructed cellars for their root crops1 cabbage and celery4 ,onions are commercially stored in slatted crates piled in tiers in frost-proof houses provided with means for ventilation so that the temperature can be maintained at slightly above freezing4 ,sweet potatoes and squashes are also stored in specially constructed houses1 in which the temperature can be controlled2 but since a high temperature is demanded for these crops1 artificial heat is usually employed4 ,circulation of air about these products in storage is facilitated by the use of slatted bins1 and allowing ample space between the bins and the side walls of the building4 ,for home use the root crops and cabbage can best be stored in outdoor pits for late winter use1 and in the cellar for use early in the season4 ,the chief objection usually urged against storing root crops in the cellar is that they are likely to wilt4 ,this difficulty can be obviated by packing the roots in boxes with alternate layers of earth or sand1 and placing the boxes in the coolest part of the cellar4 ,the earth will absorb any odors in case the vegetables should start to decay1 and thus avoid endangering the health of the family4 ,cabbage can be stored in the same way if the roots and outer leaves are removed and merely the heads are packed in boxes or barrels of earth4 ,cabbage intended for late winter use1 however1 will keep better in an outdoor pit than in a cellar4 ,the same is true of parsnips1 salsify1 horse-radish and some of the other root crops4 ,except where the ground is especially well drained1 the pits are usually made entirely above ground4 ,for storing cabbage in this manner1 the plants are pulled with the roots and leaves on1 and placed upside-down in regular order on a level piece of ground4 ,usually three plants are placed side by side1 with two above1 and this arrangement repeated so that the final result is a long1 low pile of cabbage showing five plants in a cross section4 ,earth is piled against and over this array of cabbage until the plants1 including the roots1 are entirely covered4 ,in a severe climate1 a layer of manure may be added when cold weather arrives4 ,for storing parsnips1 salsify and horse-radish1 which are uninjured by freezing1 the roots may be placed in a pile on the ground and covered with about six inches of earth4 ,the advantage of storing in this manner1 instead of allowing the roots to remain where they grew1 is the saving in time of digging1 when a few roots are wanted during the winter4 ,it is much easier to open the pit when the ground is frozen than to dig roots from the garden with a pick4 ,in fact1 the difficulty of digging almost precludes the use of these crops in midwinter unless they are more accessible than in the place where they grew4 ,beets1 carrots1 turnips1 ruta-bagas1 kohl-rabi and ,irish potatoes can also be stored in outdoor pits1 but they must be covered sufficiently to prevent freezing4 ,one of the best ways of handling these crops is to place them in a conical pile and cover first with six or eight inches of hay or straw1 then with earth to a similar depth4 ,if extremely cold weather is expected1 a layer of manure should be placed outside of the earth4 ,in getting vegetables from pits of this kind in midwinter1 the manure is removed slightly from one side of the pit near the bottom and a hole about a foot square chopped through the frozen earth with an old ax4 ,sufficient hay is then pulled out by means of an iron hook1 to enable a person to thrust his arm into the opening and reach the vegetables4--7,u4 ,ill4 #aed47 ,,early ,,plants ,,in ,,hotbeds4 ,the most common method of starting early plants in the ,north is by means of a hotbed4 ,the hotbed consists of an inclosure covered with sash and supplied with some form of heat1 usually fermenting stable manure1 to keep the plants warm and in a growing condition4 ,as a rule1 the hotbed should not be placed within the garden inclosure1 but near some frequently used path or building where it can receive attention without interfering with other work4 ,the hotbed should always face to the south1 and the south side of either a dwelling1 barn1 tight board fence1 hedge1 or anything affording a similar protection1 will furnish a good location4 ,the hotbed should be started in ,february or early in ,march1 in order that such plants as the tomato and early cabbage may be well grown in time to plant in the open ground4 ,there are two or three forms of hotbeds that are worthy of use4 ,a temporary hotbed1 such as would ordinarily be employed on the farm1 is easily constructed by the use of manure from the horse stable as a means of furnishing the heat4 ,select a well-drained location1 where the bed will be sheltered1 shake out the manure into a broad1 flat heap1 and thoroughly compact it by tramping4 ,the manure heap should be #h or #i feet wide1 #ah to #bd inches deep when compacted1 and of any desired length1 according to the number of sash to be employed4 ,the manure for hotbed purposes should contain sufficient litter1 such as leaves or straw1 to prevent its packing soggy1 and should spring slightly when trodden upon4 ,after the manure has been properly tramped and leveled1 the frames to support the sash are placed in position facing toward the south4 ,these frames are generally made to carry #d standard hotbed sash1 and the front board should be #d to #f inches lower than the back1 in order that water will drain from the glass4 ,three to five inches of good garden loam or specially prepared soil is spread evenly over the area inclosed by the frame1 the sash put on1 and the bed allowed to heat4 ,at first the temperature of the bed will run quite high1 but no seeds should be planted until the soil temperature falls to #hj ,f41 which will be in about three days4 ,in most farmhouses enough heat is wasted throughout the winter to sustain a small hothouse to say nothing of a hotbed4 ,hotbeds having more or less permanence may be so constructed as to be heated either with fermenting manure1 a stove1 a brick flue1 or by means of radiating pipes supplied with steam or hot water from a dwelling or other heating plant4 ,for a permanent bed in which fermenting manure is to supply the heat1 a pit #bd to #cj inches in depth should be provided4 ,the sides and ends of the pit may be supported by brick walls or by a lining of #b-;inch plank held in place by stakes4 ,standard hotbed sash are #c by #f feet in size1 and are usually constructed of white pine or cypress4 ,as a rule1 hotbed sash can be purchased cheaper than they can be made locally1 and are on sale by seedsmen and dealers in garden supplies4 ,in the colder parts of the country1 in addition to glazed sash either board shutters1 straw mats1 burlap1 or old carpet will be required as a covering during cold nights4 ,it is also desirable to have a supply of straw or loose manure on hand to throw over the bed in case of extremely cold weather4 ,during bright days the hotbed will heat very quickly from the sunshine on the glass and it will be necessary to ventilate during the early morning by slightly raising the sash on the opposite side from the wind4 ,care should be taken in ventilating to protect the plants from a draft of cold air4 ,toward evening the sash should be closed in order that the bed may become sufficiently warm before nightfall4 ,hotbeds should be watered on bright days and in the morning only4 ,watering in the evening or on cloudy days will have a tendency to chill the bed and increase the danger from freezing4 ,after watering1 the bed should be well ventilated to dry the foliage of the plants and the surface of the soil and prevent the plants being lost by damping-off fungus or mildew4 ,,handling ,,of ,,plants4 ,successful transplanting of indoor-grown plants to the garden or field depends largely upon their proper treatment during the two weeks preceding the time of their removal4 ,spindling and tender plants will not withstand the exposure of the open ground so well as sturdy1 well-grown plants1 such as may be secured by proper handling4 ,plants grown in a house1 hotbed1 or cold frame will require to be hardened off before planting in the garden4 ,by the process of hardening off1 the plants are gradually acclimated to the effects of the sun and wind so that they will stand transplanting to the open ground4 ,hardening off is usually accomplished by ventilating freely and by reducing the amount of water applied to the plant bed4 ,the plant bed should not become so dry that the plants will wilt or be seriously checked in their growth4 ,after a few days it will be possible to leave the plants uncovered during the entire day and on mild nights4 ,by the time the plants are required for setting in the garden they should be thoroughly acclimated to outdoor conditions and can be transplanted with but few losses4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,u4 ,mo4 ,col4 ,ag4 ,mech4 ,arts #cc2 ,n4 ,la4 #ha2 ,kan4 ,st4 ,ag4 ,col4 #gj2 ,s4 ,dak4 #dg2 ,u4 ,idaho #ag47 ,illustration3 ,,temporary ,,hotbeds ,,in ,a ,,city ,,back ,,yard ,,frames ,,used ,,in ,,truck ,,growing4 ,intensive gardening under sash or cloth covers has become one of the most popular and1 in certain localities where the conditions are suitable1 one of the most profitable lines of outdoor work4 ,the trucker and the market gardener of the present day have been compelled by keen competition and a constantly increasing demand for high-grade products out of season to provide special facilities for increasing and improving the product1 as well as to take advantage of every favorable natural condition4 ,many localities are especially favored with an abundance of sunshine at all seasons of the year1 and at the same time their climate1 due to the influence of large streams or near-by bodies of water1 is mild and free from extremes of temperature4 ,in such localities it would be possible to grow lettuce1 radishes1 and similar crops during the entire winter without protection were it not for a few cold days and nights4 ,a very slight covering or the application of a small amount of heat will1 as a rule1 carry the plants through in good condition4 ,this industry may readily be combined with regular truck farming1 as it furnishes remunerative employment during the winter months4 ,a comparatively small area is necessary for the frames1 but several times that acreage of land should be available1 so that the site of the frames may be changed every few years to safeguard against diseases and insect injuries4 ,cloth-,covered ,frames4--,the type of frame or bed varies with the different localities and is ordinarily no more elaborate or expensive than is necessary to protect the crops4 ,in ,north ,carolina and ,south ,carolina the type of frame generally used is that having for the sides two lines of #ab-;inch boards set on edge and held in place by means of stakes driven into the ground4 ,the covering of cheap unbleached muslin is supported on strips of wood #a inch thick and #b-a_/b or #c inches wide1 which are raised in the center by being carried over the top of a stake2 the ends are held down by nailing to the sides of the bed4 ,most of these frames are temporary and are taken apart and stored during the summer months4 ,before placing the frames in position in the autumn the soil is plowed1 thoroughly fitted1 and given a liberal dressing of well-rotted stable manure and commercial fertilizers4 ,the placing of the boards will cause some trampling of the bed1 and before putting in the ends and nailing on the rafters or strips to support the cloth it is desirable to loosen the soil again by means of a harrow or cultivator4 ,the stakes for supporting the cross strips or rafters are then driven through the center and the strips nailed in place at intervals of #d feet4 ,the ends are inclosed by means of #ab-;inch boards1 and the bed is then ready for the cloth cover4 ,the cloth is first stitched1 with the strips running lengthwise of the bed1 into one great sheet large enough to cover the entire bed4 ,this sheet is fastened on the north side of the frame by nailing over it plastering laths or similar strips of wood4 ,the cloth should not be fastened to the top edge of the board but on the side1 #a or #b inches below the top4 ,for fastening the sheet on the south side of the frame short loops of string or cloth are attached to its edge and these are looped over nails driven into the side of the bed4 ,sash-,covered ,frames4--,in the tidewater region of ,virginia the frames are covered with hotbed sash4 ,the climate of ,norfolk is a little too severe for the use of cloth except for early autumn and spring crops4 ,a number of growers in the vicinity of ,norfolk handle sash-covered frames occupying as much as #c1 #d1 or #e acres each season4 ,for the sides and ends of these frames the same class of cheap lumber as for the cloth-covered frames is used4 ,heated ,frames4--,farther north1 near ,chicago1 ,st4 ,louis1 ,cleveland1 ,detroit1 ,baltimore1 ,philadelphia1 ,cincinnati1 ,new ,york1 and ,boston1 sash-covered frames are extensively used for growing early vegetables4 ,this work is practically the same as that found at ,norfolk1 except that the frames are constructed over an excavation which is filled with fermenting manure to provide heat4 ,where manure-heated beds are extensively used for growing early vegetables a long1 shallow pit is opened1 the manure is trodden in1 and #ab-;inch boards are fastened to stakes to form the sides4 ,the board on the north side is raised a little higher than the one on the south side in order to form a slope for the glass4 ,a few strips are nailed across the bed to prevent the sides from coming in by the pressure of the manure or soil that is banked on the outside1 and the sash simply rest on the sides without any guide or supporting strips between them4 ,straw mats and board shutters are employed as a protection for the sash during cold weather4 ,temperature of ,frames4--,the temperature at which the air of the beds should be carried will depend entirely upon the crop being grown4 ,thermometers should be placed at intervals in the beds1 as it is not safe to judge the temperature by personal sensation4 ,if lettuce1 parsley1 or radishes are growing in the beds1 the temperature should not go above #gj ,f4 before ventilation is given2 on the other hand1 if the frames are filled with cucumbers1 eggplant1 or peppers1 the temperature may run #h or #aj degrees higher4 ,it should be borne in mind that any covering1 whether cloth or sash1 will exclude a part of the light1 and every precaution is necessary to prevent the plants becoming drawn4 ,the safest plan is to keep the temperature a trifle low and thus retain the plants in a strong1 thrifty condition4 ,where tender plants are being grown under cloth there is greater danger of injury from keeping them covered too tightly than from exposure to moderate cold4 ,illustration3 ,,showing ,,vegetables ,,growing ,,in ,,hotbed ,,ventilation4 ,open-,air4--,in the care of cloth-covered frames the covers are left off during bright weather and the plants subjected to open-air conditions4 ,when there is danger of cold the covers are put on at night1 and during unfavorable weather they are frequently left on during the day4 ,while the cloth covers conserve the heat1 they at the same time exclude the sunlight1 and if they are kept on too great a portion of the time the crops will become drawn and spindling4 ,with sash-covered frames the matter of ventilation is of prime importance4 ,the glass admits and holds the heat of the sun's rays1 and during bright weather it is necessary to open the frames quite early in the morning4 ,ventilation is accomplished by propping up one end or one side of the sash on a notched stick4 ,the rule to be followed is to ventilate on the side away from the wind1 so that the wind will blow over the opening and not into the bed4 ,protection of ,frames4--,the area occupied by the frames is often surrounded by a high board fence or a hedge of evergreens to break the force of the wind4 ,if a large area is devoted to frames it is sometimes subdivided by numerous cross fences to break up air currents and lessen the force of storms4 ,where no heat is applied to the frames the control over temperature will not be great except in the prevention of too high temperature by means of ventilation during bright weather4 ,in many instances straw and burlap mats are kept ready at hand for throwing over sash-covered frames to prevent loss from freezing1 but this would not be practicable on a large scale4 ,sometimes the glass is covered by shoveling one-half or three-fourths of an inch of soil over it1 but this involves considerable labor and frequently results in the breakage of a great deal of glass4 ,it is possible to ward off frost by the use of a number of orchard heaters in the frame yard4 ,these heaters burn kerosene or crude oil and give off both heat and a smudge which will prevent injury from a reasonable degree of cold4 ,crops ,grown in ,frames4--,the crops most commonly grown in frames are lettuce1 radishes1 cucumbers1 garden beets1 parsley1 eggplant1 peppers1 and snap beans4 ,the crops grown in the sash-covered frames do not differ materially from those grown under cloth4 ,in the spring1 however1 many growers devote their beds almost entirely to cucumbers and eggplant instead of to lettuce and radishes4 ,to the southward the cloth covers are sufficient to protect the more hardy crops throughout the winter4 ,to the northward the hardy crops may be grown under sash in midwinter1 and those requiring more heat are grown in the spring4 ,marketing ,crops ,grown in ,frames4--,crops grown in frames are usually superior in quality and appearance to those grown in the open and should be given more care in handling and marketing4 ,the cost of production is somewhat higher than for outdoor crops1 and it is essential that they be put up in neat packages in order to bring the highest market price4 ,the more successful growers give the work of gathering1 grading1 and packing the crop their closest personal attention and use only clean1 attractive packages for handling and shipping4 ,the packages employed for handling the frame products are generally the same as those used for marketing outdoor vegetables1 of the same kinds4 ,in a few instances a distinctive package has been employed4 ,the use of special shipping packages that would give the frame-grown produce special recognition on the markets would be a decided advantage to the grower4--7,f4 ,b4 #dfj47 ,,soil ,,and ,,fertilizers4 ,the greater portion of the work with frames is conducted on light or sandy loam soils which are naturally well drained and adapted to intensive trucking4 ,the original soil is usually employed1 but when necessary rich soil is hauled and placed in the beds4 ,the first essential is good drainage1 and if the land is not naturally well drained it should be tiled or provided with numerous open ditches to carry off the water4 ,the surface of the soil should be graded and all depressions filled in and leveled4 ,for best results the land should be subjected to two or three years of preparation by manuring and planting to leguminous crops4 ,the presence of plenty of organic matter in the soil is very important1 especially where large quantities of commercial fertilizers are to be used4 ,this organic matter may be added in the form of stable manure1 but more satisfactory results will be obtained where leguminous crops are included in the preparatory treatment4 ,for green manure nothing is better than cowpeas as a summer crop and crimson clover as a winter crop4 ,the crimson clover should be turned under about the time it comes into full bloom in the spring1 the land planted to cowpeas1 and the resulting crop plowed under or mowed for hay during the month of ,august in ample time to prepare the land for frame work during the autumn4 ,when heavy crops of green manure are turned under it is essential that lime be used to improve the mechanical condition and to sweeten the soil2 a dressing of #a1jjj pounds to the acre should be sufficient4 ,large quantities of stable manure are used in growing crops in frames1 sometimes as much as #cj to #fj cartloads to the acre4 ,the manure is generally spread in a broad1 flat pile to compost before it is applied to the soil on which frames are to be located4 ,where manure is employed for heating the beds it may afterwards be mixed with the soil for the growing of subsequent crops4 ,poultry and sheep manure is excellent fertilizer for frame work1 but the quantity obtainable is very small4 ,in the application of natural manures of all kinds it is essential that the manure should be fine2 that it be what is termed short manure4 ,,watering ,,crops4 ,to insure success in the cultivation of plants in frames it is necessary to provide some means of applying water to the soil4 ,occasionally the supply of water can be obtained from the system of some city1 but more often it must be pumped from a well or stream and stored for use in an elevated tank4 ,watering is generally done during the late afternoon1 but should be completed early enough to permit the foliage to become reasonably dry before closing the frames for the night4 ,if the plants are young and very tender it will be important to avoid too great a degree of moisture4 ,serious losses from damping-off often result from excessive moisture1 especially at night1 when evaporation is not so rapid as during the day4 ,many gardeners make the mistake of watering too often and not doing the work thoroughly4 ,under ordinary conditions twice a week will be often enough to apply water1 and in winter1 when evaporation is at its lowest point1 once a week will be sufficient4 ,in watering the sash-covered frames it is necessary either to remove the sash or to prop them up high enough to permit working under them4 ,as a rule the sash are taken off early in the morning of a bright day1 the soil is stirred1 sometimes a little fertilizer is added1 later in the day the bed is watered1 and toward night the sash are replaced4 ,,anise4 ,this is an annual4 ,leaves used as a garnish4 ,the seeds are the source of ,anise oil4 ,this plant grows well and gives a good yield of seed4 ,seeds should be soaked over night in warm water and sown thickly4--7,u4 ,idaho #aj47 ,,artichoke1 ,,globe4 ,this plant requires a deep1 rich sandy loam1 with a liberal supply of well-rotted manure1 is best suited for growing artichokes4 ,plant the seeds as soon as the soil is warm in the spring1 and when the plants have formed three or four leaves they may be transplanted to rows #c feet apart and #b feet apart in the row4 ,the plants do not produce until the second season1 and in cold localities some form of covering will be necessary during the winter4 ,this crop is not suited for cultivation north of the line of zero temperature4 ,after the bed is once established the plants may be reset each year by using the side shoots from the base of the old plants4 ,if not reset the bed will continue to produce for several years1 but the burs will not be so large as from new plants4 ,the bur1 or flower bud1 is the part used1 and the burs should be gathered before the blossom part appears4 ,if they are removed and no seed is allowed to form1 the plants will continue to produce until the end of the season4 ,,artichoke1 ,,jerusalem4 ,this useful and productive plant will grow in any good garden soil1 and should be planted three to four feet apart each way1 with three or four small tubers in a hill4 ,if large tubers are used for planting they should be cut the same as ,irish potatoes4 ,plant as soon as the ground becomes warm in the spring and cultivate as for corn4 ,a pint of tubers cut to eyes will plant about thirty hills4 ,the tubers will be ready for use in ,october1 but may remain in the ground and be dug at any time during the winter4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,u4 ,idaho #aj47 ,,asparagus4 ,this valuable plant was formerly a luxury on the tables of the rich1 but is now during the season a vegetable seen daily upon the tables of people of moderate or even small incomes4 ,it is also frequently recommended as an article of diet for the sick and convalescent4 ,to the asparagus grower there are two methods by which plants can be secured1 7#a7 by purchasing or saving the seed from which to raise them1 and 7#b7 by purchasing the plants from either a seedsman or some grower4 ,taking the second method1 as being the quickest way to start a bed as well as the most easily disposed of1 it is suggested that roots over two years old be rejected1 and only one-year-old roots selected if a sufficient number can be secured1 as the latter are much better and will in the course of a few years produce more and larger spears to the plant and yield profitable crops for a longer period4 ,it is best to deal with reliable firms2 they will be more likely to supply plants of both the kind and age desired4 ,seed4--,only reliable seedsmen should be trusted1 or the seed should be procured from some neighbor who has the desired variety and has taken proper care in producing and saving the seed1 if the first plan is to be followed4 ,if one already has an asparagus bed of the desired sort1 producing fine spears1 and of the proper age 7#h to #ab years old7 for seed production1 it is always best to save seed from it for new plantings4 ,the growing of one's own plants is preferable1 both because of the extra year intervening between the determination to plant and the actual setting out of the bed1 thereby permitting the soil of the proposed bed to be put in a better and more friable condition1 and because1 good seed having been secured and proper care given to the young plants1 a more satisfactory supply of the young roots is obtained4 ,that there are objections to growing one's own seed is undoubtedly true1 but there are also compensating advantages1 and if proper care is exercised it will pay the grower to raise his own seed 7from beds which are satisfactory7 even if seed can be bought in the open market for much less than the trouble of attending to the home grown may cost4 ,if1 however1 a grower is unwilling or unable to exercise the necessary care in the production of seed1 he would do much better not to attempt it1 but depend upon some reliable dealer1 studiously avoiding those whose claims to patronage are based upon cheapness of stock4 ,good seed are worth good money2 poor seed should not be accepted under any conditions4 ,soil4--,asparagus will grow on most soils1 and will yield large crops upon stiff soils2 but for the purpose of the grower for market1 a light sandy soil of fair fertility is much to be preferred1 both because of the earliness with which it produces marketable spears and the ease with which it is cultivated4 ,a soil on which water stands after rain1 or under which the standing subsurface water is near the surface1 into which the roots are liable to penetrate1 is to be avoided4 ,of course1 such a soil1 if otherwise suitable1 can be made fit by a thorough system of under drainage1 since an occasional overflow1 or even a submergence of the beds for several days1 is not necessarily injurious if the drainage1 either natural or artificial1 is good4 ,the soil should be free of roots1 stones1 or any trash that will not readily disintegrate or that will interfere with the growth of the spears4 ,a rather stiff but naturally well-drained soil which produces early and fine asparagus1 notwithstanding the fact that it is full of large gravel1 some of the stones being twice the size of a man's fist4 ,shade4--,fruit or other trees or high shrubs must not be allowed in the asparagus bed1 because of the shade they throw over the beds and because their roots make heavy drafts upon the soil4 ,nor should high trees1 hedges1 hills1 or buildings be so near as to throw a shadow upon the beds1 because all the sunshine obtainable is needed to bring the spears quickly to the surface4 ,the land should be protected from the north or east 7or from the direction of the prevalent winds7 and so slope that the full benefit of the sunshine will be obtained during the whole day4 ,freedom from weeds is very desirable1 even more so than great fertility1 for the latter can be produced by the heavy manuring which the future cultivation will require2 and to the end that weeds may be few1 it is well that for a year or two previous to planting the land should have been occupied by some hoed crop1 such as potatoes1 beets1 cabbages1 etc4 ,cultivation4--,in the late fall or early winter the selected area1 should be a light sandy loam as described above1 needs to be deeply plowed1 and if the subsoil is not already of an open and porous nature1 through which surface water will readily drain and the roots easily penetrate1 a subsoil plow should follow1 breaking the soil to the depth of at least #ae inches4 ,after harrowing the field1 a good compost of well-rotted horse1 cow1 sheep1 or other manure should be spread broadcast and left to the action of the weather until as early in the spring as the ground is in condition to be worked1 when the manure should be plowed in1 the surface carefully harrowed1 and the soil put in a light and friable condition4 ,as early in the spring as the condition of the ground will permit work to be done--when it is dry enough to bear plowing and the soil will break up fine--rows should be marked off #d to #f feet apart and opened up with a large plow1 going a sufficient number of times to make a furrow from #h to #ab inches deep4 ,loose soil that the plow does not throw up should be taken up with a shovel or wide-bladed hoe4 ,it is in these furrows that the crowns are to be set1 the distance to be left between plants varying1 according to the opinion of the grower1 from #ah inches to #e feet4 ,planting4--,rows should be run north and south1 so that the full benefit of the sunshine will be secured4 ,if the rows run east and west1 they will be shaded by the ridges in early spring1 when the sun is low in the south1 and later in the season they will be completely shaded on one side by the tall foliage4 ,this delays sprouting in the spring1 and prevents the best development of the plants at all times4 ,of course1 any conditions1 such as the slope of the land1 etc41 which make it inadvisable to run the rows north and south must be considered1 but southeast to northwest or northeast to southwest is better than due east or west1 or1 in short1 the natural conditions permitting1 the course should be as far from east and west as possible4 ,this is especially important to those who ridge the rows to produce white asparagus4 ,early in the spring of each year1 after the plants are old enough to cut1 there must be a ridge made over the rows to blanch the shoots1 if white asparagus is to be cut2 and once ridging is not sufficient1 but after the spears begin to appear the ridges will need renewing every week or ten days during the cutting season1 as the rains beat them down and the sun bakes a crust upon the top4 ,the grower of green asparagus has about the same work1 less the ridging and plowing down4 ,as it is necessary to keep down all weeds1 some hoeing may be necessary as supplementary to a free use of the #a-;horse cultivator4 ,after the cutting season1 a cutaway harrow run twice diagonally across the rows loosens up the soil and destroys a vast number of weeds without injury to the crowns1 although some spears may be broken off4 ,brush4--,the bushes should be cut as soon as the berries are fully colored1 as the growth will be sufficiently matured so that no injury will be done the roots by removing the tops1 thus avoiding a further drain upon the roots to mature the seed1 and preventing the dropping of seed1 followed by the springing up of innumerable young asparagus plants4 ,all brush should be promptly collected and burned1 that there may be no lodging places for insects and diseases4 ,in case the fields were not leveled1 harrowed1 and manured at the close of the cutting season1 now is a convenient time to perform this work1 although if the soil is rather too moist it is well to leave the surface firm1 that the winter rains may run off rather than penetrate to the already too damp subsoil around the roots4 ,manuring4--,in nothing relating to asparagus has there been a greater change than in the practice of manuring4 ,formerly it was thought necessary to place large quantities of manure in the bottom of the deep trenches in which the young plants were set out in order that sufficient fertility might be present for several years for the roots1 as after the plants were once planted there would be no further opportunity to apply the manure in such an advantageous place2 it was also considered necessary to use much manure every autumn to bank the beds in order that the crowns should not be injured by the winter's frost4 ,these applications1 especially that given prior to planting the young crowns1 made the outlay so great1 and that for so many years before any return would be received from the bed1 that only small plantings were possible to those who were without considerable capital4 ,although asparagus is still heavily manured1 the amount now used is much less than was formerly supposed to be necessary1 only about double the quantity ordinarily used upon root crops1 such as potatoes1 beets1 etc4 ,it is not a good practice to put manure in the bottom of the trenches or furrows when setting out the crowns1 because it is demonstrated to be rather a waste of manure than otherwise1 and besides the roots of asparagus thrive better when resting upon a more compact soil2 nor is it necessary that the soil should contain great amounts of humus or be in an extremely fertile condition when the plants are first put out1 since by the present system of top dressing a moderately fertile soil soon becomes exceedingly rich and equal to the demands which the plants make upon it4 ,considerable improvement is produced in the mechanical condition of the soil by the use of stable manure upon beds4 ,by the addition of humus1 porous sandy soil is made somewhat more binding and its ability to take up and retain moisture thereby increased2 while1 on the other hand1 cold1 heavy soils are made warmer and more porous4 ,all organic manures are suitable for use on the beds2 but care must be exercised in the use of any of these lest they be too hot and injure the plants1 especially if applied directly to the roots and immediately over the crowns4 ,where the young shoots come up through it1 fresh1 hot manure is likely to produce rust or to render the shoots unsightly and thus injure their sale4 ,especially is this true in light1 sandy soils4 ,the time of applying manure on beds1 and the position where it should be placed1 are of some importance4 ,in the use of stable manure1 both writers upon the subject and growers actually engaged in producing asparagus for the market almost unanimously state that in the autumn1 after the stalks have matured and have been cut1 manure should be applied on top of the rows4 ,some give the caution not to put it just over the crowns1 lest the shoots next spring be injured by contact with it4 ,this plan of top dressing beds during the autumn or early winter is gradually giving way to the more rational mode of top dressing in the spring and summer4 ,it was believed that autumn dressing strengthened the roots and enabled them to throw up stronger shoots during the following spring4 ,this is a mistake4 ,it is during the growth of the stalks after the cutting season is over that the crowns form the buds from which the spears of next season spring1 and it is probable that it is principally during this period that the roots assimilate and store up the material which produce these spears4 ,this being true1 the plant food added to the soil and becoming available after the cessation of vegetation in the autumn can have little1 if any1 effect upon the spears which are cut for market the following spring2 it first becomes of use to the plant after the crop has been cut and the stalks are allowed to grow4 ,in the use of hot1 or fresh1 manure it may be that the winter season is none too long to permit the fertilizing elements to become available and well distributed throughout the soil1 but if well-rotted manure is used there is danger of the fertility being leached out of the soils by the rains and melted snows of winter4 ,those growers who apply a liberal dressing of stable manure or fertilizer immediately after the cutting season supply the required nourishment to the plants at the time they most need it and can most profitably utilize it in the production of spears4 ,manure thus applied will also act as a mulch1 preventing the growth of weeds1 keeping the soil light and cool1 and preserving the moisture intact4 ,it should not be made on top of the row4 ,this suggestion the writer wishes to emphasize4 ,manuring in ,november in many cases does more harm than good1 as the mass of manure causes many roots to decay1 and those which do survive are weak and only produce small spears4 ,it would be much better to rely upon liberal supplies of food through the growing season than to give manure when the bushes are cut1 as at the former period the roots can more readily absorb the food given4 ,by feeding in spring and summer the crowns are built up for the next season's supply of grass4 ,the roots of the asparagus are perhaps always active1 but much less so in winter than at any other season1 and they will obtain as much nutriment from the soil as they can then use4 ,if heavily covered with manure sunshine is excluded1 growth is checked1 and the roots have to fight hard for existence at a time when they are none too strong4 ,in the culture of green spears the manure is best utilized by broadcasting1 this application to be followed by a thorough harrowing of the field4 ,when white asparagus has been cut1 either manuring in the trench between the ridges before disturbing them or harrowing down the ridges and then manuring broadcast is perhaps the most rational way4 ,as between manuring in the row and between the rows1 the latter should be selected as the evidently advisable one by which the feeding roots of the plants are most easily reached4 ,placing the manure in the row only reaches those feeding roots which are to be found about midway between the crowns1 as just around the crowns are nothing but storage roots1 besides it is not desirable to place manure too close to the crowns1 but manuring between the rows puts the manure right where the summer rains can carry the fertility directly down into the 7as it were7 open mouths of the feeding roots4 ,green ,crop4--,if green asparagus is desired1 the stalks need be cut only so far beneath the surface as to furnish a #i or #aj inch spear1 the major part of which1 say #f inches or more1 will be green1 and of course above ground4 ,if white asparagus is sought for1 the rows will have been ridged from #aj to #ae inches above the crowns1 and the spears must be cut as soon as they show at1 and before they peep above1 the surface4 ,this means cutting #i or #aj inches below the surface4 ,to accomplish this1 long chisel-like knives of various shapes are used4 ,cutting should be done at least every day1 and when vegetation is rapid twice each day will be necessary for white asparagus1 and is often desirable when the green sort is being cut4 ,harvesting and ,marketing4--,asparagus is one of the earliest vegetables1 especially if the roots are near to the surface or the soil above them has been temporarily removed so that the rays of the sun can easily penetrate to them4 ,some varieties are earlier than others1 and this difference in time of appearance varies from a day or two to several weeks4 ,for instance1 the ,early ,argenteuil is about ten days earlier than the ordinary asparagus grown in the same locality1 and the ,late ,argenteuil at least ten days later2 so that there would be nearly three weeks between the ,early and ,late ,argenteuil4 ,among the ordinary varieties1 however1 there is only a short period between the earliest and the latest4--7,f4 ,b4 #fa1 #bee2 ,u4 ,cal4 #afe2 ,u4 ,mo4 #dc2 ,u4 ,kans4 #gj2 ,u4 ,miss4 #aije47 ,,beans4 ,kinds4--,for convenience in reference and for discussion1 beans may be divided into two general groups--field and garden beans--which are by no means distinctly separate either in appearance or in characteristics4 ,each of these groups can again be divided into bush and pole beans4 ,bush beans of the field type are recognized1 for commercial purposes1 under three well-marked types1 known as ,kidney1 ,marrow1 and ,pea beans1 each of which may be subdivided into two groups1 colored and white4 ,the garden beans1 like the field beans1 may be divided into bush and pole types2 these again into ,kidneys and ,limas1 the term ,kidney in this case including all of the common garden beans whether of one type or another1 and this group may again be divided into wax and green pod4 ,the same subdivision may also be recorded under pole beans1 as is suggested in the following classification3 ,kidney44444444444,colored4 ,white4 ,bush44444,marrow44444444444,colored4 ,white4 ,field beans444444444 ,pea44444444444444,colored4 ,white4 ,pole or corn hill4 ,white or colored4 ,kidney4444444444,wax4 ,bush444444,lima ,green pod4 ,garden beans44444444 ,kidney4444444444,wax4 ,pole444444,lima ,green ,pod4 ,runner 7,scarlet ,runner74 ,soil4--,while clay loams or soils overlying limestone are most desirable1 sandy and even gravelly loams may be used1 but these latter soils should contain more or less humus and the gravelly soil should not be too coarse4 ,beans may be grown on heavy clay soils but the surface or underground drainage1 or both1 must be good and special attention must also be given cultural methods to produce a fine1 mellow seed bed4 ,muck soils or those with a superabundance of humus are not suitable as they tend to produce vines at the expense of the seed4 ,it is also true that this crop will not thrive on low1 wet1 poorly drained soils4 ,beans seem to produce good crops on soils somewhat deficient in nitrogen when well supplied with potash and phosphorus4 ,contrary to a somewhat prevalent notion1 beans will not produce well on very poor soils1 but require a fair degree of fertility4 ,seed4--,care should be exercised in the selection of beans for seed4 ,none but the best hand-picked beans should be used for planting1 as the success of the crop is quite largely dependent on the vitality of the seed4 ,tilth4--,since the bean is a warm-season crop and can not safely be planted until after danger from killing frost has passed1 the preparation of the soil for field beans should be deferred until the vegetation covering the area has made considerable growth1 so that it may be as completely destroyed as possible during the operations of plowing1 harrowing1 and fitting the land for the reception of the seed4 ,the short-season character of the bean crop enables the land to be occupied during the winter months by some cover crop1 such as wheat or rye1 and if the same land is used year after year for the production of beans1 the turning under of winter cover crops furnishes an important means by which the store of organic matter in the soil can be maintained1 a consideration of great moment in sections chiefly dependent upon commercial fertilizers as a source for available plant food4 ,after the land has attained proper dryness in the spring it should be plowed from #f to #h inches in depth1 and immediately compacted and harrowed1 so as to prevent the loss of moisture4 ,the surface of the seed bed should be made smooth and fine1 so that the drill or planter can be economically used upon it4 ,if dry weather follows at this season of the year1 a good practice is1 immediately preceding the planting of the crop1 to run a heavy land roller over the area1 particularly if the planting is done with an ordinary grain drill4 ,if the planting is done with a planter similar to the ordinary corn planter and the land has been rolled previously1 it is advisable to go over it with a spike-tooth harrow or some other type of smoothing harrow after the crop has been planted1 in order that the land may not possess a compacted condition from the substratum to the surface4 ,planting4--,growers have found that it is better to postpone planting the crop until as late in the season as is practicable and yet be able to safely harvest the crop before the vines are injured by fall frost4 ,the late planted crop has the advantage of escaping the most serious attacks of the bean rust4 ,while there are undoubtedly varieties which are more or less resistant to this trouble1 yet the general practice of late planting has been found to be of decided advantage4 ,in planting the field crop the distance between the rows varies from #bh to #cf inches1 according to the implements used in harvesting the crop1 #cj inches being a very satisfactory and not an unusual distance for placing the rows4 ,the seeds are so scattered as to fall from #b to #d inches apart in the row4 ,the ideal distance would be undoubtedly #f inches1 if it were possible to obtain a perfect stand of plants at this distance4 ,for distributing the seed in the row at these distances a bean planter or a check row corn planter may be set to drop the seeds in drills4 ,a common practice is to use an ordinary grain drill and stop a sufficient number of tubes to enable two or three rows of beans to be planted at the proper distance apart without the necessity of purchasing a special implement4 ,quantity of ,seed4--,the quantity required to plant an acre of beans varies with the size of the beans2 that is1 a half-bushel of small ,pea beans is sufficient to plant an acre of ground1 while a bushel of ,red ,kidney beans is hardly sufficient to plant an acre when the seed is distributed in the ordinary fashion in drills rather than in hills4 ,in planting beans of the ,pea and ,marrow types the quantity of seed varies from one-half to a bushel per acre1 depending upon the quality of the beans and upon the preferences of the planter4 ,for ,kidney beans the quantity varies from a bushel to as much as six pecks per acre4 ,ordinarily1 with rows #cj inches apart1 a bushel is a sufficient quantity for seeding an acre4 ,depth of ,planting4--,the depth at which beans should be planted is determined by the character of the soil and the season of the year at which they are planted4 ,in heavy1 retentive soils planting should be made comparatively shallow1 as the peculiar habit of growth of the bean is such that it can not readily reach the surface if planted deep in such soils4 ,upon light soils and early in the season1 planting can be made quite deep4 ,three inches is not too deep upon such soils1 but an inch and a half or #b inches is the maximum depth for planting upon retentive soils4 ,all things considered1 a satisfactory depth for planting beans is about #a-a_/b inches4 ,cultivation4--,like all other hoe crops field beans require frequent1 shallow cultivation4 ,the stirring of the soil for the purpose of holding the weeds in check and preserving a soil mulch over the area occupied by the growing crop1 is the important factor to be considered in culture4 ,at the last cultivation the plants may be slightly hilled2 that is1 the soil may be thrown toward the plants with small wings4 ,this has the advantage of leaving the plants on a slight ridge1 which facilitates the work of harvesting when such work is done by mechanical means4 ,in the cultivation of beans it is traditional that they should not be cultivated when the dew is on the vines4 ,this undoubtedly has a slight foundation for the reason that moisture is a conveyor of spores of disease and might have a tendency to distribute them more widely than would be the case if moisture were allowed to dry off the leaves without being disturbed4 ,harvesting4--,for many years the handling of hoe crops1 such as field beans1 upon an extensive scale was impossible because of the great amount of hand labor necessary to gather the crop4 ,within recent years1 however1 labor-saving devices have been invented so that now the once laborious practice of hand-pulling individual plants can be done away with by the use of a bean harvester4 ,after the plants are thrown together by the harvester it is customary for men with ordinary pitchforks1 either #b or #c tined1 to follow the harvester and place the beans in small heaps to cure for several days before storing them in barns or sheds for thrashing4 ,in some instances1 where the work is done upon a very extensive scale and where the loss from shelling is not considered sufficient to justify the employment of hand labor for bunching the beans with forks1 an ordinary horserake is employed for the purpose4 ,where the beans are to remain for a longer period and to become more thoroughly cured in the field and where the work of harvesting is done entirely by hand1 the crop is frequently placed in shocks which are built about a pole #d or #e feet in height1 both ends of which have been sharpened and one end firmly placed in the ground4 ,a small quantity of straw1 grass1 or other material is placed around the base of the stake1 and the beans as they are pulled are piled around the pole until a compact miniature stack about #d or #e feet high is formed4 ,the curing process in any case is carried far enough to prevent the vines molding after storing them in the barn prior to thrashing4 ,if the vines are thoroughly ripened in the field before harvesting1 they can be stored in from two to three days if the weather is satisfactory4 ,if1 however1 the vines have some green leaves upon them and the pods are not thoroughly dry1 the period for curing in the field is of necessity much longer than with thoroughly ripened plants4 ,storage4--,after the crop has been properly cured in the field it is customary to store the beans in barn lofts or in sheds until the weather has become quite cool before the work of thrashing is done4 ,in some instances1 however1 if the beans are thoroughly field cured they may be thrashed in the field2 but ordinarily1 in those regions where beans are extensively grown1 weather conditions will not permit of their being cured and left in the field a sufficient period to enable the entire work of harvesting and thrashing to be carried on in the open4 ,care ,necessary4--,all operations connected with the harvesting and field management of beans should be done as carefully as possible1 in order to avoid injury to the plants while in the growing condition and to prevent shelling the beans after they have ripened4 ,most varieties of beans shell more or less easily after the pods have become thoroughly matured4 ,most extensive growers of beans consider the loss by shelling resulting from the use of labor-saving machinery of less money value than the added cost of carrying on all operations by hand in the most careful way4 ,in other words1 the loss from the use of labor-saving machinery is not sufficient to justify the return to hand labor in the care and management of the crop4 ,threshing4--,beans are now threshed by a special machine or beaner which has been instrumental in materially increasing the acreage of beans grown4 ,these machines are usually introduced into localities where beans are grown commercially and offered for hire on a plan similar to that used by grain threshers4 ,cleaning and ,grading4--,while the farm operations in connection with the preparation of field beans for market usually cease with the thrashing of the crop1 the cleaning and grading of the product is a very important item and requires much hand work4 ,besides the removal of sticks and straws from the grain by the use of the fan1 the beans are passed through a machine which is provided with a broad1 slow-moving belt placed at such an angle that split beans and peas1 dirt1 and stones which are not removed by the fan adhere to the belt and are thrown out1 while the smooth1 perfect seeds fall back into another receptacle and are thus separated from the dirt and broken seeds4 ,after this the beans are usually subjected to a third operation1 which consists in removing by hand all broken and discolored seeds1 as well as foreign matter1 which were not removed in the other operations4 ,garden ,beans4--,the type as well as the variety of garden bean to be grown is determined by the purpose for which it is to be used4 ,if it is to be used as a snap or string bean for early market1 quick-maturing green or wax-podded varieties are selected4 ,if for canning purposes1 a different variety is selected1 which may have either green or wax pods1 while as a rule green beans which are required late in the season for table use belong to the pole type4 ,for early beans1 however1 the bush type is the one most commonly used4 ,fertilizers4--,while beans are quick-growing and early-maturing plants requiring an abundance of available plant food in the soil1 yet1 because of their family relations1 being legumes1 they make the soil better for having been grown upon it4 ,they are nitrogen-gathering plants1 and for this reason require only a small percentage of this element in any fertilizer used upon them4 ,while heavy applications of fertilizers containing nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash are used by truck growers in the production of beans1 as a rule such fertilizers should be relatively richer in phosphoric acid and potash than in nitrogen4 ,the production of garden beans for snap or string beans1 however1 demands a larger percentage of immediately available nitrogen than does the production of field beans for the dry grain1 as in the former case the crop occupies the land a shorter time and therefore gives it less opportunity to provide itself with a supply of nitrogen from the atmosphere4 ,the fertilizer1 if used in the form of commercial fertilizer1 may be distributed broadcast over the area occupied by the crop with a grain drill or a fertilizer distributer1 or it may be scattered along the row at the time the seeds are sown by one of the many types of seed drill having a fertilizer attachment4 ,planting4--,garden beans1 like field beans1 may be planted either in hills or in drills4 ,the customary practice1 however1 is to plant the seeds in drills so that they shall fall #b or #d inches apart in rows far enough apart to admit of cultivation with either one or two horse implements4 ,because of their peculiar habit of germination--the elongation of the part between the root and the seed leaves1 called the hypocotyl--the seed leaves or cotyledons are lifted out of the soil4 ,a large expenditure of energy on the part of the plant is necessary to accomplish this1 and the more compacted the soil and the deeper the seed is planted the more time and energy are required in accomplishing this result4 ,it is evident1 therefore1 that the shallower the beans can be planted without retarding satisfactory germination1 the better4 ,upon thoroughly fine and compacted soils the seeds are planted from #a-a_/b to #b inches deep4 ,shallower planting does not as a rule give as satisfactory germination as planting within the range above mentioned4 ,while garden beans are planted in extensive areas1 they are1 nevertheless1 frequently used as a catch crop between other plants1 such as squashes and cucumbers4 ,the bean1 being a quick-growing plant1 matures its crop and is out of the way before the entire area is demanded by the companion crop4 ,harvesting4--,from the nature of the product the harvesting of garden beans for use as string or snap beans must necessarily be done by hand4 ,their extensive culture is therefore restricted to areas in which an abundant labor supply which can be commanded at short notice is available4 ,after the beans are picked they are carried to a convenient sorting table1 either in the open or under shelter1 where they are looked over1 all diseased and broken beans rejected1 and the baskets uniformly filled and shaken down preparatory to covering them for shipment4 ,,lima ,,beans4 ,under the name of ,lima beans two distinct types are now recognized3 ,pole ,limas and dwarf1 or bush1 ,limas4 ,lima beans are of very great commercial value1 but are not sufficiently appreciated as a table food because it is not generally known that in a dry state they can be used in practically the same manner as are the common beans4 ,in reality they are richer and more delicate in flavor than the common beans1 and can be used in as many different ways4 ,the virtues of these types as green beans need only a passing mention1 and their value as an accompaniment of corn in succotash is well known to every consumer of canned goods4 ,planting4--,the common method of handling the ,lima bean in the climate of the northern tier of ,states1 outside of the irrigated belt1 is to plant from three to five beans in hills #ah to #cf inches apart1 with the rows #c-a_/b to #d feet apart1 and after all danger from cold and from insect enemies is past the beans are thinned to about three plants to the hill4 ,as the beans are exceedingly tender1 it is necessary to delay planting in the open until about a week or ten days after the time for planting the common garden beans4 ,after the second cultivation1 when the tendency to climb has manifested itself1 the plantation is supplied with poles from #e to #f feet high1 or with a trellis running from end to end of the row1 which may be made by stretching two or three wires lengthwise of the row and weaving between them strands of ordinary wool twine4 ,if the trellis is employed the beans can be planted in practically continuous rows1 so that they stand about a foot apart4 ,toward the northern limit for cultivating this crop1 one is fortunate if one-half to two-thirds of the pods which set upon the plants mature the seed4 ,farther south the crop is proportionally heavier4 ,in ,california and in other irrigated regions where there are well-marked wet and dry seasons1 the dry season1 accompanied by heavy fogs1 occurring during the summer months1 it is possible to cultivate ,lima beans somewhat as follows3 ,upon moderately rich1 somewhat sandy valley land1 cultivation can be carried out by planting the beans as soon as all danger from rains has ceased and the plantation will remain dry except for irrigation4 ,if there has not been sufficient winter rain to thoroughly moisten the land it should be well watered and allowed to dry to a good cultural condition before planting4 ,seed can then be planted in hills about #c-a_/b or #d feet apart each way1 or in drills1 the beans scattered about a foot apart in rows #d feet apart4 ,after the beans have germinated it may be necessary to cultivate them once or twice with a sweep of some type1 to destroy any weeds which may have sprung up from the moist ground4 ,all moisture should be withheld and a dust mulch over the surface preserved by running a sweep over the plantation once or twice more1 and then the vines should be allowed to take possession of the territory4 ,this obviates the necessity of using poles1 and the crop can grow to maturity under these conditions without irrigation1 without cultivation1 and without poles4 ,at harvest time a root cutter is passed under the lines of the rows1 severing the roots of the plants1 and after the plants have dried and become somewhat cured they are thrown into convenient heaps for loading on wagons and are allowed to remain in these heaps until near the approach of the rainy season4 ,then they are carried to the thrashing floors1 where they are beaten out by the tramping of animals or by driving over the heap a device somewhat similar to the ordinary cutaway harrow4 ,the dwarf ,lima beans1 because of their habit of growth1 are planted and cultivated practically the same as are field beans4 ,they are slightly hardier than pole ,limas1 and for that reason toward the northern limit of the range of this crop can be planted somewhat earlier in the season than the pole ,limas4--7,f4 ,b4 #bhi2 ,u4 ,mich4 #bei2 ,s4 ,c4 ,e4 ,s4 #aj2 ,s4 ,dak4 ,e4 ,s4 #dg1 #ia2 ,iowa ,e4 ,s4 #dg2 ,miss4 ,e4 ,s4 #aca47 ,,beets4 ,the red garden beet may be grown in any good soil1 but rich1 sandy loam will give the best results4 ,sow the seeds in the spring as soon as danger of frost has passed4 ,beets should be planted in drills #ab to #ah inches apart1 and when the plants are well up they should be thinned to #d or #e inches in the row4 ,if desirable to plant in rows #c feet apart for horse cultivation1 the seeds may be sown in a double drill with #f inches between1 leaving #cj inches for cultivation4 ,two ounces of beet seed are required to plant #ajj feet of row1 or #e pounds to the acre4 ,as a rule each seed ball contains more than one seed1 and this accounts for beets coming up very thickly4 ,the seed should be covered to a depth of about #a inch4 ,for a succession of young beets during the summer1 plantings should be made every four or five weeks during the spring months4 ,beets intended for winter storage should not be sown until late in the summer1 the crop being harvested and stored in the same manner as turnips4 ,sugar beets are often substituted for the ordinary garden beet1 especially for winter use4 ,a soil that is well adapted to growing the usual vegetables will be found good for this one4 ,it may be slightly heavier than that for the crops that are grown for their foliage1 as lettuce4 ,a good cabbage soil will be found of about the right consistency4 ,wet or soggy land will not raise a crop4 ,plow deep and prepare the ground well2 the seedlings are quite small and need considerable coaxing before they will make a good start4 ,use plenty of fertilizer of some well prepared kind4 ,rough or undecomposed material should not be used4 ,a sprinkling of powdered nitrate soda as a top dressing when the plants are one-third grown will produce a rapid growth4 ,in applying1 be careful not to apply so as to touch the foliage1 unless during a rain4 ,it is not profitable to transplant beets2 it may be done on a small scale1 but it is too expensive to practice on a large scale4 ,varieties4--,according to shape of the root one may divide beets into two classes1 viz41 ,long ,rooted and ,globular4 ,if color is made the basis of classification you have red1 white and yellow kinds4 ,extra ,early ,blood ,turnip1 ,eclipse and ,extra ,early ,egyptian are good varieties to grow for market4 ,the first named is probably the best2 the last named has the disadvantage of becoming stringy if it matures during a long1 dry spell1 or if allowed to stand too long4 ,the deep red varieties are preferred in the markets1 and those that are turnip shaped sell better than the long4 ,marketing4--,the usual method is to use barrels or large boxes2 this is a clumsy way1 and one not calculated to bring the best price4 ,the usual vegetable crate will be found handy and desirable4 ,in districts where there are pickling factories1 and near large cities1 small beets1 with greens1 are raised with profit1 but these can not be shipped to a distant market4 ,for a distant market gather tops and all2 carry to the packing-house2 remove the tops with a sharp knife1 leaving about an inch of the leaf-stalk on the beet4 ,remove the dirt1 and pack in vegetable crates4 ,the leaves put in a compost heap will pay for the trouble of hauling1 or they can be fed to domestic animals with profit4 ,the beet itself makes one of the best feeds for milch cows1 and is excellent for other domestic animals4--7,f4 ,b4 #bbe2 ,n4 ,c4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s4 #acb2 ,fla4 ,e4 ,s4 #ca2 ,u4 ,idaho #aj2 ,n4 ,h4 ,col4 #ii1 #abe2 ,n4 ,j4 ,a4 ,col4 ,rpt4 #aijj47 ,,borage4 ,the leaves are used for flavoring4 ,,broccoli4 ,broccoli is simply a variety of cauliflower that is more commonly grown for fall use1 as it is rather more hardy than the true cauliflower4 ,lee's ,sprouting ,broccoli is a branching sort that is esteemed in some places4 ,there is a great deal of misunderstanding regarding the ,cauliflower and ,broccoli4 ,both are the same in their general make up and growth1 both producing heads in the same manner and to the casual observer are taken one for the other4 ,the difference is that ,cauliflower is a more tender variety and therefore will not stand a very low temperature4 ,the seed is sown in early spring and will produce heads during the summer4 ,the ,broccoli will stand a temperature as low as #be without much injury to the plant4 ,the seed is sown in the spring1 the plants set out in ,june or early part of ,july and continue to grow until the spring following1 some varieties producing heads at intervals during winter and up to as late as ,may4 ,attention needs to be directed during the winter to such plants as are about to produce heads4 ,these should have the outer leaves turned over the head to protect it from frost to which it is very susceptible4 ,the seed may be sown and the plants treated in every way as for the cabbage4 ,they thrive well in a deep1 rich soil4 ,much better results would be had if more attention were given to the matter of deep cultivation1 that is1 in deep spading or plowing of the ground4 ,manure that has been well composted should be used plentifully and plowed in deep4 ,by so doing the roots of the plants are encouraged to penetrate deep into the soil where they can find moisture as well as food4 ,the shallow plowing in of manure has the tendency to keep the feeding roots of plants near the surface and will therefore soon dry out and turn blue1 and when once the plants are stricken with the blues no further growth will be made and they might as well be discarded4--7,oreg4 ,e4 ,s4 #gd2 ,n4 ,c4 ,e4 ,s4 #acb47 ,,brussels ,,sprouts4 ,this crop is closely related to cabbage and cauliflower4 ,instead of a single head1 ,brussels sprouts form a large number of small heads in the axils of the leaves4 ,as the heads begin to crowd1 the leaves should be broken from the stem of the plant to give them more room4 ,a few leaves should be left at the top of the stem where the new heads are being formed4 ,brussels sprouts are more hardy than cabbage1 and in mild climates may remain in the open ground all winter1 the heads being removed as desired4 ,for winter use in cold localities1 take up plants that are well laden with heads and set them close together in a pit1 cold frame1 or cellar1 with a little soil around the roots4 ,the uses of ,brussels sprouts are similar to those of cabbage1 but they are considered to be of a superior flavor4 ,they require the same treatment as cabbage4 ,the soil must be rich and requires considerable moisture4 ,the small sprouts must grow rapidly or they will be tough4 ,sow the seed in hotbed and transplant1 or scatter seed in hills and thin4 ,the plants must have plenty of room4 ,rows should be thirty inches apart and the plants not closer than two feet4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,u4 ,idaho ,e4 ,s4 #aj2 ,cornell ,u4 ,e4 ,s4 #bib47 ,,cabbage4 ,cabbage is one of the most universally cultivated of the garden plants4 ,although it is one of the coarser vegetables it finds a place in the home garden as well as in the market garden and truck farm4 ,in some sections of the ,united ,states it is extensively grown as a farm crop4 ,early cabbage is practically all consumed as a green vegetable4 ,the late crop1 on the other hand1 is handled as a fresh vegetable1 as a storage crop1 and for the manufacture of sauerkraut4 ,it is always in demand1 and under present conditions is always available1 either as the product of a southern truck farm or a northern farm1 garden1 or storage house4 ,the group of cultivated plants which has been derived from the wild cabbage presents a greater diversity of form than that derived from any other single ancestral type4 ,wild cabbage is a robust-growing broad-leaved plant enjoying the low1 moist areas near the seacoast of southern ,europe4 ,the most closely allied form now in cultivation is the collard4 ,the wide variation in the group is illustrated by the diversity of form shown in collards1 kale1 tree cabbage1 marrow kale1 cauliflower1 and ,brussels sprouts4 ,it is almost beyond the bounds of reason to believe that all these forms have been derived from a common parentage1 yet such is the fact4 ,seed4--,in no truck crop does the character of the seed count for more than in cabbage4 ,it is very essential that the crop come to marketable maturity early1 that the heads be uniform in size and character1 and that they mature so that the whole crop can be harvested at two cuttings4 ,the small saving made by the purchase of cheap or inferior seed is usually paid for a hundred times over in the lessened value of the crop4 ,a grower can not afford to risk his crop for so small a saving4 ,the best seed that can be obtained is none too good1 and anything short of this is not good business4 ,without highly viable seed of a good strain1 true to type1 the best results can not be expected4 ,for early spring cabbage in the ,south1 sow the seeds in an outdoor bed and transplant to the garden before ,january #a4 ,in the ,north1 plant the seeds in a hotbed during ,february and set the plants in the open ground as early as the soil can be worked4 ,for a late crop in the ,north1 plant the seeds in a bed in the open ground in ,may or ,june and transplant to the garden in ,july4 ,early cabbages require a rich1 warm soil in order that they may mature early4 ,for late cabbages the soil should be heavier and more retentive of moisture and not so rich as for the early crop1 as the heads are liable to burst4 ,cabbages should be set in rows #cj to #cf inches apart and #ad to #ah inches apart in the row4 ,where the plants are set out in the autumn and allowed to remain in the ground over winter1 they are usually placed on top of ridges4 ,soil4--,the soil for cabbage must necessarily vary in different localities4 ,in one area it may be of an alluvial character1 while in another it may be sedentary1 and in still another it may be characteristic glacial drift4 ,the fact that cabbage grows well in all these soils indicates its adaptation to a wide range of conditions4 ,the main thing with cabbage is an abundant supply of immediately available plant food4 ,market gardeners rely chiefly upon stable manure for their supply of plant food4 ,cultivation4--,among market gardeners it is a common expression that cabbage should be hoed every day4 ,perhaps no other crop responds more quickly to good cultivation and an ample food supply4 ,this is undoubtedly the explanation of the above quoted expression4 ,in cultivating cabbage the work should be frequent and thorough1 but the cultivation should not be deep4 ,the aim should be to destroy all competing weeds and to maintain a loose1 friable layer of soil about #b inches deep over the surface of the area devoted to cabbage4 ,storage4--,early cabbage must be used soon after it has formed solid heads1 as it will not keep during hot weather4 ,late cabbage may be buried in pits or stored in cellars or specially constructed houses4 ,the usual method of storing cabbage is to dig a trench about #ah inches deep and #c feet wide and set the cabbage upright1 with the heads close together and the roots bedded in soil4 ,as cold weather comes on1 the heads are covered slightly with straw and then #c or #d inches of earth put on4 ,slight freezing does not injure cabbage1 but it should not be subjected to repeated freezing and thawing4 ,if stored in a cellar or building1 the heads are generally cut from the stems and stored on slatted shelves or in shallow bins4 ,while in storage1 cabbage should be well ventilated and kept as cool as possible without freezing4 ,varieties4--,the varieties of cabbage used in the trucking section are practically limited to the ,wakefield type4 ,there are two strains of this type of cabbage now extensively employed3 ,the true ,jersey ,wakefield1 with its small1 acutely pointed tip and very firm1 tender flesh of high quality1 and the ,charleston ,wakefield1 which is broader1 somewhat flatter1 more obtusely pointed1 and slightly more angular in cross section than the ,jersey type4 ,the varieties which may be used for field cultivation depend upon the purpose for which the cabbage is intended4 ,if for sauerkraut or for immediate consumption1 the ,flat ,dutch type from ,american-grown seed is extensively employed in the eastern part of the ,united ,states4 ,in the irrigated section of ,colorado1 in the vicinity of ,greeley1 where cabbage is grown for sauerkraut1 a variety known as ,scotch ,cross is almost universally grown4 ,if the cabbage is intended for storage the ,danish ,ball ,head from imported seed is almost exclusively used4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee1 #dcc2 ,colo4 ,e4 ,s4 #adc2 ,md4 ,ag4 ,col4 ,e4 ,s4 #acc2 ,tex4 ,e4 ,s4 #eb1 #fi2 ,ga4 ,e4 ,s4 #ia2 ,kans4 ,e4 ,s4 #gj2 ,s4 ,dak4 ,e4 ,s4 #ia47 ,,calabash4#a ,the increasing popularity of calabash pipes made from the fruits of a ,south ,african calabash1 or gourd1 has aroused a widespread interest in the growing of this vine4 #a ,see page #cba1 for illustration4 ,calabash pipes made from imported ,south ,african gourds have been the fashion in ,england for some time and are now coming into vogue in ,america4 ,these pipes are formed from the crooked necks of a large gourd 7,lagenaria vulgaris7 belonging to the well-known group of plants which includes the cucumber1 the melons1 and the squashes4 ,pipes made from the imported gourds are expensive1 ,american dealers usually charging #c to #ab apiece for them4 ,they are the lightest pipes made for their size1 are graceful in shape1 color like meerschaums1 and are delightful smokers4 ,unlike the cheap pipes which are turned out by machinery1 no two of these calabash pipes are alike4 ,in this lies much of their charm4 ,in this1 likewise1 lies their cost1 for1 unlike the great mass of pipes turned out by machinery1 the crook of the calabash varies so that each mouthpiece must be made to fit it and each lining of meerschaum or plaster of ,paris must be specially adapted4 ,in our land of labor-saving machinery and expensive hand labor this is what makes the pipes costly4 ,the vine forms a very satisfactory cover for unsightly brush heaps or fences1 though its rather rank odor might prove objectionable if used for an arbor too near the dwelling4 ,to grow the vine for the sake of its gourds is where the chief interest lies1 however1 and to do this well it should not be trained on a trellis1 but allowed to trail over the ground4 ,if the fruits are allowed to lie on the ground they form their crooked necks quite naturally without assistance1 and while not all of them by any means make suitable necks for pipes a good proportion do4 ,it seems to induce a more perfect neck to stand the gourds up when half grown so that they rest on their big ends4 ,unless care is exercised in doing this the necks snap off1 for they are extremely brittle even when fully grown4 ,it is only when almost mature that they become hard and then they are indeed almost unbreakable4 ,much could doubtless be done to perfect the methods of culture1 insuring perhaps a greater percentage of properly crooked necks and more perfect surfaces4 ,it could not be seen that inheritance plays any material part in this matter of percentage of crooks4 ,if left to themselves the majority will crook their necks1 but some few will remain quite straight1 and this on the same vine with perfectly formed crooks4 ,the gourds should be left as long as possible on the vines to thoroughly thicken their shells4 ,if picked green the shell will be no thicker than stiff cardboard and in drying it is very liable to crack4 ,frost will injure the gourds if they are left on the vines too long4--7,b4 ,p4 ,i4 ,cir4 #da47 ,,cantaloupe4 ,cantaloupe growing1 as developed since its origin near ,rockyford1 ,colorado1 in #ahhe1 requires unusual judgment and cultural skill on the part of the farmer4 ,co-operative organization and good business management are also essential1 for only by these means can the crop be properly timed and prepared for shipment1 and necessary arrangements made with transportation and selling agencies4 ,seed4--,seed should be most carefully selected with reference to flavor and appearance of the fruit2 to good shipping characters1 including small cavities and heavy netting2 and to a tendency to produce melons of standard size4 ,early strains are desired for some situations2 but in ,arizona rust resistance is not a necessary character as this class of diseases is little to be feared under the arid conditions4 ,seed should be purchased only from most reliable sources4 ,rockyford growers are at present the principal means of supply4 ,soil4--,experience has proven that a sandy loam is the soil best suited for cantaloupes1 and that its condition of tilth and the available fertility are the prime essentials in bringing cantaloupes to quick maturity4 ,the secret of getting soil in that ashy1 mellow condition so desirable for cantaloupes is largely one of experience1 for hardly two farms can be handled the same4 ,in general1 there must be moisture in the soil over winter to get the disintegrating effect of frost1 and plowing should not be done until the ground is dry enough to pulverize mellow4 ,barnyard manure has long been the means of supplying fertility to force cantaloupes to early maturity4 ,old alfalfa ground is most excellent for cantaloupe culture4 ,bermuda sod plowed up and exposed to the sun without irrigation the preceding summer makes excellent cantaloupe ground1 the intensive cultivation necessary serving both to benefit the crop and to restrain this formidable weed4 ,planting4--,the first requisite aside from moisture for a good start is warm weather1 as cantaloupe seed cannot germinate when the ground is cold and freezing2 and if perchance the days are warm enough to germinate the seed that is planted in ,march or ,april1 the cold nights that are sure to follow will offset the advantage of early planting4 ,if there is a secret in getting early cantaloupes it is in growing the crop from start to finish with a uniform unchecked growth2 the cantaloupe does not seem to have the power to rally from a check in growth or an injury from an insect and still makes its normal development4 ,the back-set not only cuts off the production of early cantaloupes but seriously affects the size and quality of the melon4 ,there are numerous instances where unfavorable conditions of growth have produced a large quantity of pony melons1 while under more favorably growing conditions the same seed and soil have yielded standard sized cantaloupes4 ,one of the first signs of promise for early cantaloupes is a quick germination and rapid development of large cotyledons4 ,seed that germinates slowly with small1 yellow appearing seed leaves has never made early cantaloupes4 ,irrigation4--,moisture for the cantaloupe hill is generally supplied by the irrigation furrow4 ,it should always reach the seed or plant by soaking through the soil4 ,irrigation should never be allowed to over-soak or flood the ground1 as the soil will then become hard and not permit a good growth4 ,the relation of irrigation to an early set of cantaloupes is a somewhat mooted question4 ,there are growers who argue the use of frequent irrigations during the setting period to secure a good set1 and there are others who prefer to keep the vines rather dry and even letting them show the need of water before they will irrigate during the setting stage4 ,there have been results that seemed to support both theories1 yet close observation would not warrant following either plan to an extreme1 but rather a medium course of supplying enough moisture for an even1 healthy growth1 which seems to be the essential condition all the way through4 ,an excess of irrigation during the hot weather in ,july will doubtless tend to grow vines at the expense of early fruit2 but the most disastrous result of too much water--having the ground so soaked that the surface is nearly all wet1 and affording the moist1 dewy condition which is favorable to its development--is in the development of rust4 ,the rust problem is a serious one in cantaloupe culture in ,colorado4 ,controlling it by proper application of irrigation is only a palliative measure1 yet a marked contrast is often seen in two portions of a field2 one over-irrigated1 and the other comparatively dry1 aside from the moisture necessary to the growth of the vines4 ,rainy weather and dewy nights afford the proper conditions for the growth of the rust spore1 and while the farmer cannot change climatic conditions1 yet by careful attention in the application of water1 having the rows well ditched1 and with adequate waste laterals to prevent over-soaking and flooding1 the surface of the ground will dry rapidly after a rain or an irrigation4 ,thus the dews at night will be less1 and in a measure alleviate the effects of rust4--7,u4 ,ariz4 ,cir4 #gg2 ,ag4 ,col4 ,colo4 #fb1 #he1 #ie and #ajh47 ,,cardoon4 ,the cardoon is a thistle-like plant1 very similar in appearance to the ,globe artichoke1 but is grown as an annual4 ,the seeds are sown in early spring in a hotbed or cold frame and the plants transplanted later to the open ground4 ,the cardoon should be planted in rows #c feet apart and #ah inches apart in the row on rich soil1 where it can secure plenty of moisture and make rapid growth4 ,toward autumn the leaves are drawn together and the center blanched in the same manner as endive4 ,if intended for winter use1 the leaves are not blanched in the garden1 but the plants are lifted with considerable earth adhering to the roots and stored closely in a dark pit or cellar to blanch4 ,the blanched leaf stems are used for making salads1 soups1 and stews4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee47 ,,carrot4 ,the culture of the carrot is practically the same as the parsnip1 except that carrots are not thinned so much and are allowed to grow almost as thickly as planted4 ,carrots should be dug in the autumn and stored the same as parsnips or turnips4 ,any surplus can be fed sparingly to horses1 mules or cattle4 ,the roots of the carrot are used at all times of the year1 mostly in soups1 but they may be boiled and served with butter or creamed4 ,carrots are planted in rows #af inches apart and the plants thinned out to #d inches in the row4 ,chantenay is an excellent table carrot of medium size and dark orange color1 slightly tapering and abruptly terminating with a short1 fine taproot4 ,the flesh is orange colored1 brittle1 juicy and mild flavored4 ,what it lacks in size it makes up in quality and good shape4 ,scarlet ,intermediate1 somewhat larger than ,chantenay1 is of good size for table use4 ,in shape more tapering and with a longer taproot4 ,it is dark orange colored2 flavor and quality good4 ,flesh is quite brittle and orange colored with a white center4 ,to these two are added two varieties principally grown for stock feed1 similar varieties being grown for table use in many parts of ,europe1 and more especially those of the ,white ,belgian variety4 ,both varieties are of slender shape1 #a-a_/b to #b inches in diameter1 holding their size well1 although averaging #ab inches in length1 #c to #d inches of which grows above ground and which as a consequence is colored light green on the outside4 ,white ,belgian is the sweeter of the two1 and while the flesh is somewhat coarse1 the flavor of it1 when well stewed and mashed1 is sweeter and not unlike that of the parsnip4 ,victoria1 the other variety1 is of the same texture1 fairly sweet and with a more pronounced carrot flavor1 the flesh instead of white1 being light orange colored4 ,this vegetable can be grown to perfection in ,porto ,rico almost any time of the year4 ,it prefers a rich loam and grows very well on a heavy clay which is not too wet1 but a light sandy soil is not well adapted to it4 ,for fertilizer1 stable manure will do when nothing else is available1 but a commercial fertilizer1 rich in potash and phosphoric acid1 is much to be preferred for this crop4--,f4 ,b4 #bee1 #bie2 ,mich4 ,e4 ,s4 #bj2 ,n4 ,c4 ,e4 ,s4 #acb2 ,u4 ,idaho ,e4 ,s4 #aj2 ,p4 ,r4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s4 #g4 ,,cauliflower4 ,this plant requires a very rich1 moist soil4 ,land that will produce only a fair crop of cabbage is unfit for cauliflower4 ,if the land is very rich and well fertilized it may be reasonably expected that the returns from the crop of cauliflower will more than repay the cost of putting the land in good condition4 ,seed4--,no more important element enters into the success of the cauliflower crop than the quality of the seed and to the seed alone is often due the difference between success and failure1 profit and loss4 ,the best seed that can be secured is the cheapest at any reasonable price1 and it should always be obtained from a well-known1 reputable seedsman4 ,seed-bed4--,this should be carefully prepared4 ,the soil should be enriched with a liberal application of commercial fertilizer1 or thoroughly decomposed stable manure4 ,after the fertilizer is applied it should be thoroughly worked in to a depth of three or four inches4 ,from a few days to two weeks should elapse before the seed is sown for there is great danger in planting seed too soon after applying commercial fertilizer as the seed is likely to be destroyed by the action of the mineral substance unless it has been dissolved and thoroughly incorporated with the soil4 ,the time between the application of the fertilizer and the sowing of the seed will depend upon the amount of rainfall and it is often better to wet down the seed-bed each day for four or five days before planting and not to depend upon the uncertain rainfall4 ,the rows should be about three inches apart4 ,in six or seven days the young plants should begin to appear and the ground between the drills should be cultivated4 ,do not allow the soil to dry out as the cauliflower plant from seed to head should never be checked4 ,neither should the bed be kept too wet1 else there is danger of damping off4 ,the bed should be carefully watched and if the disease does break out it may be checked by removing the diseased plants1 working the soil1 scattering dry sand and sulphur along the rows and withholding water until the surface soil becomes dry4 ,it might be pointed out here that about six months must be allowed from the sowing of the seed until the crop matures4 ,transplanting4--,the plants should not be allowed to remain long in the seed rows4 ,if left too long they will soon crowd and become weak and spindling4 ,when they have reached the height of one inch1 they should be pricked off and set in another portion of the bed4 ,they may be set in rows four inches apart with the plants one and a half to two inches apart in the rows4 ,here they should remain until ready for the field4 ,if care has been exercised all the way through1 the plants will be short1 stocky and vigorous4 ,by the time they are four or five inches high or when the leaves have lapped they are ready for the field4 ,it is not best to let them get too large1 because there is often a delay of a few days in order to obtain good climatic conditions for setting out4 ,if left too long in the seed bed1 greater care must be exercised in transplanting1 else the plants may suffer a severe check and will button or break irregularly instead of forming smooth well shaped heads4 ,soils and ,preparation4--,work should be started on the ground at least a month before the plants are set out4 ,the cauliflower is a deep rooted plant1 consequently the soil should be prepared deeply4 ,it is not advisable to turn under the good surface soil and to obviate this ground may be plowed shallow and then stirred and opened with a bull-tongue to a depth of seven or eight inches4 ,after this the surface should be cultivated to a depth of two or three inches4 ,give thorough preparation by frequent cultivation before the fertilizer is applied1 preparatory to setting out the plants4 ,setting ,out4--,it is best that the plants be set out either just before or immediately after a rain1 but if this can not be done they should be set out late in the evening and watered1 giving each plant about a quart of water4 ,a cloudy day is much preferable to a clear one and if the day on which the plants are set out is followed by cloudy weather1 so much the better4 ,the ground should be leveled or smoothed over1 for which purpose a roller or float may be used4 ,after this the ground may be marked off4 ,two markers should be constructed1 one with the teeth three feet apart1 the other with the teeth two feet apart4 ,these may be made of wood after the pattern of an ordinary garden rake4 ,in place of a marker a line may be used or the ground may be checked off with a light hand plow4 ,only a limited number of plants should be removed from the seed-bed at one time4 ,the leaves should be cut back about one-half or one-third1 using for the purpose a large pair of shears4 ,sprinkle the plants with water as soon as removed from the bed1 place in a shallow box or basket and keep them shaded from the sun4 ,cultivation and ,care4--,the field should be frequently cultivated and the ground should be scarified at least every week and after every rainfall4 ,the best tool for cultivating is an ordinary cultivator and the ground should not be worked to a greater depth than two and one-half or three inches4 ,this will preserve a surface mulch of dry earth and prevent loss of moisture by evaporation4 ,as soon as the heads commence to form the leaves should be drawn together at the top and loosely tied near their tips with a piece of cord or twine4 ,rafia makes a good substitute for twine and is preferable because there is less danger of cutting the leaves4 ,the practice of breaking down the leaves over the head has been tried1 but found not quite so satisfactory4 ,if the heads are left uncovered they become yellow through the action of the sun and rain but when the leaves are drawn together and tied1 they bleach out pure white1 and curd-like4 ,gathering4--,cauliflower may be cut before it is mature1 but the flavor is not so well developed as it is when the heads are full grown4 ,for winter shipment heads from four to six inches in diameter are of a desirable size and the market will take them fully as well or better than large ones4 ,the field should be picked over at least every two or three days during the season1 though heads will remain in good condition for nearly a week if the weather be cold4 ,examine the head by separating the leaves on the side4 ,as soon as the head is well rounded up in the center and developed so as to force the leaves outward1 and assumes a grained appearance1 it will be found to be fully matured4 ,the heads should be cut1 preferably1 when dry4 ,if moist they are likely to decay in transit4 ,the best time of day is the afternoon if they are intended for long distance shipment4 ,about an inch of stem should be left on the head and three rows of leaves4 ,after cutting1 the heads should be carefully placed in a wagon and carried to the packing house or on dry pleasant days packing may be done in the field4 ,packing4--,the package recommended for general use is the ordinary lettuce basket4 ,before packing1 the leaves should be cut back to stubs4 ,each head should be carefully wrapped in a large sheet of white glazed paper4 ,the baskets should be packed snug and tight without bruising the heads1 and only those of uniform size should be placed in each basket4 ,never place different sizes in the same package and always discard inferior or injured heads2 the compost heap is the place for them4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,fla4 ,e4 ,s4 #ei2 ,tex4 ,e4 ,s4 #eg2 ,cornell ,u4 ,e4 ,s4 #bib47 ,,celeriac4 ,this vegetable1 which is also known as turnip-rooted celery1 or knot celery1 is closely related to our ordinary celery1 being indeed a cultural variety of the same original plant grown under conditions which have developed the root rather than the stalk4 ,in ,europe it is by far the most common form of celery1 but has never been extensively cultivated in the ,united ,states1 though it is found in the larger markets4 ,the roots are white and more or less globular in shape1 closely resembling turnips in appearance4 ,this vegetable deserves to be more widely known1 being extremely hardy and of easy cultivation4 ,it is mostly used for flavoring soups1 except by the ,germans who use it in the same manner as potatoes for potato salad4 ,planted #g or #h inches apart and #c feet between the rows it will yield abundantly1 and succeed best where celery will4 ,the edible portion develops into a bulbous root weighing #d to #f ounces when trimmed1 and these bulbs when properly packed away in the cellar will keep almost until spring4 ,where the ground but slightly freezes1 the plants may be safely left unharvested for spring use4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee1 #bie2 ,mich4 ,e4 ,s4 #bj47 ,,celery4 ,the ideal climatic conditions for the production of celery are bright sunshine1 pure air1 cool nights1 and a well-distributed rainfall of about #h inches during the growing period in the field or garden4 ,soils4--,in the production of celery for domestic use1 a rich1 mellow1 sandy loam will give the best results4 ,the soil of the seed bed should contain plenty of leaf mold and should be passed through a sieve having not less than six meshes to the inch4 ,the soil of the transplanting bed need not be sifted so fine1 and some well-rotted barnyard manure should replace a part of the leaf mold2 in other respects it should be the same as that of the seed bed4 ,any fertile1 well-drained soil will grow celery1 but a loose1 sandy loam is preferable4 ,if nothing but clay soil is available1 it may be made to produce good celery by the liberal application of well-rotted barnyard manure4 ,on clay soils there is likely to be injury caused by the soil becoming washed into the hearts of the plants while they are yet small4 ,fertilizers4--,for the production of the home supply of celery there is no fertilizer that is so satisfactory as well-rotted barnyard manure4 ,in many localities the supply of manure is limited1 and it may be necessary to depend almost entirely upon commercial fertilizers4 ,if fresh stable manure is used1 it should be plowed under in the autumn4 ,if the manure is well rotted1 it may be plowed under early in the spring or used as a top-dressing a short time before planting in order to bring the manure to the surface4 ,from #aj to #bj tons of manure to the acre should be applied each year that the land is planted to celery4 ,the application of lime will improve most soils4 ,following the use of stable manure an application of #a1jjj pounds of ground quicklime as a top dressing will be beneficial4 ,soils that are liable to leach during the winter can be held by planting to rye and the crop turned under quite early in the spring4 ,when applied to clay soils the lime has a tendency to lighten them1 and sandy soils are rendered more retentive of moisture by the addition of lime4 ,an application of #ejj to #hjj pounds of common salt to the acre is considered desirable by some growers4 ,celery will take up a limited quantity of salt1 and its flavor is improved thereby4 ,one to #b tons of high-grade fertilizer to the acre may be profitably applied on most soils in addition to the stable manure and lime4 ,as a rule1 the quick-acting fertilizers are used1 and a mixture suitable for growing celery should contain about #f per cent of nitrogen1 #e per cent of available phosphoric acid1 and #aj per cent of potash4 ,time and ,method of ,plowing4--,as a rule the land should be plowed several weeks before planting4 ,at the ,north it is desirable to plow the celery land in the autumn and allow the soil to lie exposed to the action of frost during the winter4 ,at the ,south it will be necessary to plow but a short time before planting4 ,the plowing should be very thorough1 and in most cases with a somewhat heavier plow than that generally used for other crops4 ,smoothing and ,pulverizing4--,a few days before the land is required for planting1 the surface should be cut with a disk or cutting harrow1 followed by such tools as are necessary to pulverize the soil to a depth of #e or #f inches4 ,just before planting1 the land should either be rolled or gone over with a float1 or drag1 made by nailing together planks or scantlings1 in order to secure an even surface for planting4 ,marking ,rows4--,the rows in which the celery plants are to be set should not be marked until a short time before planting1 in order that the soil may remain fresh4 ,a marking device similar to the ordinary corn marker may be used1 but some form of roller with a number of projecting pegs to form holes in which to set the plants is desirable4 ,a device of this character can be constructed by replacing the wheel of an ordinary wheelbarrow with a roller having a series of pegs4 ,selection of ,seed4--,the first and most important consideration when preparing to grow a crop of celery is the securing of good seed1 not merely seed of which a large percentage will germinate1 but that having strength and vigor sufficient to give the seedling a good start4 ,as the seeds of celery are very small1 it is necessary that only a small percentage of the number usually sown should actually grow in order to secure an abundance of plants2 but as low germination and the necessary vigor are seldom both to be found in the same packet of seed that seed which has a high percentage of germination is preferable4 ,sowing for an ,early ,crop4--,for sowing seed during the early part of the season1 the plan best suited to the requirements of the farmer or amateur grower of celery is to secure a wooden flat or tray about #af by #bd inches in size and #c inches deep1 with several small holes in the bottom for drainage4 ,after filling with sifted soil level it off even with the top1 and either shake down the soil or press it down by means of a board before the seeds are sown4 ,either sow in drills #b inches apart or scatter broadcast1 and cover the seed by sprinkling through a fine sieve a very small quantity of leaf mold or sand4 ,this tray can be placed in the window of a moderately warm room in the dwelling1 and the soil should be watered by sprinkling very lightly as often as necessary to keep the surface from showing dryness1 but the soil should not become waterlogged4 ,sowing for a ,late ,crop4--,the method now in use by most large growers is to prepare a tract of land by pulverizing with horse tools and then raking by hand1 after which the seed is sown broadcast by means of a wheelbarrow grass-seed drill4 ,the soil is sometimes pressed down with a plank after the seeds are scattered1 but some growers maintain that there is a decided advantage in leaving the soil slightly uneven1 as the seeds fall into the shaded places and are protected from the direct rays of the sun4 ,the seed will become sufficiently covered by rains or by watering4 ,should more than #bj per cent of the seed usually sown germinate1 it is necessary to thin out to prevent overcrowding1 with its attendant injury4 ,to prevent the surface of the soil becoming too dry1 it may be necessary to partially shade the young plants during the warm days of early summer1 but the shading should never be so dense as to cause them to become drawn4 ,transplanting4--,in case the grower adopts the plan of transplanting twice1 the seedlings will be ready for the first handling in from four to six weeks from the time the seed is sown4 ,the seedlings may be transplanted to trays or to beds in the open ground4 ,this transplanting answers two purposes3 7#a7 ,the seedling plant of celery has a straight root1 or taproot1 which is broken in transplanting1 causing a large mass of fibrous roots to be formed4 ,in the case of a plant allowed to remain in the seed bed until planting-out time this taproot has gone far down into the soil and the plant has formed very few side roots2 consequently it suffers a great shock in the process of planting in the field1 and a large number of plants will need to be replaced4 7#b7 ,when transplanting twice is practiced there is no necessity for thinning1 and a more uniform lot of plants is obtained4 ,two handlings can not be recommended when celery is grown on a large scale1 as the cost of labor is too great4 ,it is better to have a surplus of plants and to renew those that fail4 ,watering4--,when the seed bed is prepared1 the soil of which it is composed should contain as much moisture as possible and yet be in good condition to handle4 ,after sowing and covering the seeds the bed should be sprinkled lightly4 ,during the period between seeding and the appearance of the plants the bed should be watered only as often as it shows indications of dryness2 however1 the surface should never become dry4 ,during the first few days a moist cloth may be spread over the surface of the seed bed in order to conserve the moisture1 but this covering should be removed before the seedlings begin to appear4 ,after the plants are up1 care should be taken not to water too heavily1 as the seedlings are liable to damp off2 but the ground should never become so dry as to check their growth4 ,celery requires the most water while making its greatest growth1 which occurs late in the summer4 ,as the crop approaches maturity the water should be applied sparingly1 and it should be withheld altogether for some time before blanching4 ,among the methods of applying the water1 the most simple and usually the most desirable practice1 especially where the surface of the soil is even1 is to run the water along the rows by means of small furrows1 #h or #aj inches distant on either side of the row4 ,this method is well adapted to use on a gentle slope with the rows running up and down the incline4 ,when the water is sprinkled over the entire surface it should be done late in the day1 so that the soil may1 during the night1 absorb the moisture and prevent a crust being formed1 as would be the case were the water applied under the direct heat of the sun4 ,growing ,without ,irrigation4--,for a home supply of celery it is often possible to select a rather moist but well-drained piece of land whereon it may be grown without artificial watering4 ,in this case the plants should be set while the atmosphere is filled with moisture1 preferably between gentle showers1 and the moisture afterwards retained in the soil by frequent shallow cultivation or by the application of a mulch around the plants4 ,this method can not be followed in climates where irrigation is necessary for the production of crops1 but is applicable in regions that have an ordinary rainfall during the growing season4 ,planting4--,for domestic use1 where plenty of land is available1 it will be found most economical to plant in single or double rows #d1 #e or #f feet apart1 with the plants #e or #f inches apart in the row4 ,if the space is limited1 solid beds about #e feet wide will be found suitable1 with the plants set #g or #h inches apart each way4 ,by planting in rows the crop may be worked with a horse cultivator or a wheel hoe and the banking more easily done1 and thus the cost of production is lessened4 ,with the solid-bed system the work must all be done by hand4 ,if possible1 the planting should be done when the soil is rather moist and the atmospheric conditions suitable to the subsistence of the plants until the roots can again furnish sufficient moisture to supply them4 ,the bed should be thoroughly watered a few hours before the plants are removed1 and a knife or trowel should be run between the plants so that they may be lifted with a clump of earth and with most of their roots attached4 ,mulching4--,in muck soils it will not be found necessary to mulch the ground around the plants after setting1 but some kind of a covering is desirable on sandy and clay soils4 ,as soon as the plants are in position and before any water is applied1 cover the ground for a distance of #h or #aj inches on either side with any finely divided material that will shade the top of the soil and prevent a crust being formed after watering2 half-rotted manure is preferable for this1 as it aids the growth by its fertilizing qualities4 ,good celery can be grown on clay upland with but one watering--at the time of planting--provided that plenty of mulch is applied as soon as the plants are set4 ,the roots of celery1 after it is once transplanted1 run close to the surface1 and the mulch will protect them from the heat of the sun4 ,among materials that may be used for a mulch may be mentioned pine needles1 leaves of any kind1 straw1 cornstalks run through the cutter1 clippings from the lawn1 etc41 none of which1 however1 are as good as barnyard manure4 ,have the material to be used as a mulch near at hand1 and as the plants are set cover the soil around them to a depth of #b inches1 bringing the mulching material up close to the plant1 but being careful to allow none to get into the heart4 ,apply the mulch before watering1 if possible4 ,where celery is planted in single rows and mulched it will only be necessary to maintain shallow cultivation between the rows1 not allowing the cultivator teeth to come nearer the plants than the edge of the mulch4 ,where no mulch is used the cultivation may be carried a little closer to the plants1 but should be very shallow1 and at no time should deep cultivation be practiced1 as the roots are to be found very near the surface of the soil4 ,if a mulch is used no hand cultivation will be required1 either along the side or between the plants in the row1 except to pull any weeds that may spring up4 ,where no mulch is used it will be necessary lightly to stir the surface with a wheel hoe or iron rake1 to prevent a crust being formed after each rain or watering4 ,keep the surface of the soil smooth and in no case allow lumps of earth to remain near the plants4 ,blanching4--,in its original wild state the stems of celery are tough1 full of woody strands1 of a rank flavor1 and green in color1 being similar to the outside stems or trimmings of our present varieties4 ,the object of blanching is to secure leafstalks free from woody strands1 crisp and tender1 and without the rank flavor found in those that are green4 ,of the cultivated plant there are two classes of varieties1 the large-growing1 or giant1 and the dwarf sorts4 ,these are again divided into those which must be blanched by excluding all the light and those which are in a measure self-blanching4 ,of the former the ,giant ,pascal variety is a type1 and of the latter the ,golden ,self-,blanching variety is a good illustration4 ,blanching is accomplished by the same general method that is employed for destroying the coloring matter in any plant tissue1 that is1 by excluding the light and allowing the growth to proceed in the dark4 ,the particular method to be adopted must be determined largely by the time when the crop is to be used4 ,if for early use or marketing1 the blanching must be completed where the plants are grown2 but if the celery be for winter use the blanching may take place after the crop has been removed from the field and placed in storage4 ,in fact1 it is best to blanch as little as possible before storing when the product is to be kept until late1 as the keeping qualities are better while it is unblanched4 ,when planting for early use it is necessary to choose one of the self-blanching varieties1 such as may be conveniently blanched by the use of boards or other similar means4 ,for early blanching on a small scale1 such as would be employed on the farm or in the garden of the amateur horticulturist1 there are several methods4 ,one of the most common is by means of boards placed on edge along each side of the row4 ,after the boards are in position it is a good plan to run a celery hiller between the rows and to throw a little soil against the lower edges of the boards to close any openings that may result from the uneven surface of the soil4 ,two or three weeks' time will be required to complete the blanching of the early varieties1 and the boards must be kept in position until the crop is removed from the ground1 after which they may be used again two or three times during the season4 ,if the celery is allowed to remain in the boards too long after it has reached a marketable stage1 it loses in weight and flavor and is liable to be injured or even destroyed by the attacks of blight4 ,this is especially true during the earlier part of the season1 when the weather is warm4 ,at the end of the season the boards should be piled flat1 with strips inserted at every fourth or fifth course1 and the whole pile roofed over to shed off rain2 treated in this manner they will last from ten to twelve years4 ,perhaps the most satisfactory way of blanching early celery on a small scale is by means of ordinary farm drain tiles of about #d inches inside diameter1 placed over the plants after they have become almost fully grown4 ,to facilitate the work of placing the tiles over the plants1 some of the outside leaves should be pulled away and the main part of the plant loosely tied together by means of a soft string1 or1 better1 with what is known as paper twine1 being a string made by twisting a strip of soft paper4 ,this string will lose its strength as soon as it becomes wet1 and will offer no resistance to the further growth of the plant4 ,if the common1 unglazed tiles are used the evaporation from their surface has a tendency to keep the plant cool during the heat of the day1 and a very crisp and tender product is the result4 ,this method of blanching is desirable also on account of its cleanliness1 as celery treated in this way will need very little washing before marketing4 ,the most common method for blanching celery on a small scale is that of banking with soil1 and it is by this means that the finest flavor can be obtained4 ,where the plants are set in single rows the soil can often be partially thrown up by means of a plow1 or1 better1 by a celery hiller4 ,before the plow or banking machine is used a small quantity of dirt must be placed around the plants by hand to hold them in position while the earth is being thrown around them4 ,this may also be accomplished by tying up the plants with paper twine1 as previously recommended for use in connection with tiles4 ,storing4--,the plan usually adopted where but a small quantity of celery is to be stored for winter use is to bank up with earth and cover the plants where grown4 ,place enough earth around the base of the plants to hold them in good form1 and then allow them to remain without any further banking as long as there is not danger of a hard frost4 ,celery may be safely stored in cellars provided the temperature is kept low and plenty of ventilation maintained4 ,the warmth and dampness of the ordinary cellar have a tendency to cause the celery to decay1 but these conditions can frequently be overcome4 ,celery will readily absorb any odor that may be present in the atmosphere of the storage place1 and care should be taken to provide sanitary conditions4 ,when storing in a cellar1 the plants should have most of their roots attached1 and a bed of moist sand in which to set them should be provided4 ,illustration3 ,,celery ,,banked ,,with ,,earth ,,to ,,blanch ,,it ,preparing ,celery for ,market4--,in preparing it from the rows where grown1 it is not necessary to remove the entire root from the earth1 but it may be cut off just below the surface of the soil by means of a stiff knife4 ,remove the outside leaves and trim the root evenly1 pack in boxes1 and load on the wagon for removal to the washing house4 ,the blanching boards should not be removed till necessary1 and the trimmed celery must not be allowed to lie exposed to the sun or wind for any length of time4 ,it is well also to have a piece of canvas to protect the celery while it is on the wagon on the way to the washing house4 ,in marketing from the trenches the process is practically the same as from the rows1 except that the celery is already loosened from the soil and the roots can be removed more easily4 ,upon reaching the washing room the celery is placed upon a rack consisting of wooden slats over a large trough and subjected to a spray of cold water to cool it and to remove the adhering soil4 ,after washing1 it is allowed to drain2 then it is tied in bunches of #ab or more plants each1 according to the size4 ,the bunches are packed #f in a box for first-grade celery and #h or #i for second or third grades4 ,these boxes should be practically air-tight1 and a lining of paper should be placed in them before packing the celery1 or each bunch should be wrapped separately4 ,the celery should be nearly dry before it is placed in the boxes1 and throughout the entire handling must be kept as cool as possible4 ,sanitary ,conditions4--,it is essential that the celery should be washed in pure water to prevent the transmission of disease germs4 ,any germ1 such as that producing typhoid fever1 which is found in contaminated water1 is readily carried to the digestive system of the consumer1 and may or may not produce an attack of the disease1 according to the strength of the person to resist it4 ,the washhouse and its surroundings should be kept clean and free from any decomposing materials4 ,shippers and dealers alike lose sight of the fact that the edible portion of celery is constantly being exposed to the contaminating effects of dirty wagons1 unclean cars1 and dusty markets4 ,many persons have discontinued the use of celery on account of the unclean condition in which it is served4 ,this statement holds good for all vegetables that are served in the raw state1 but it is especially applicable to celery4 ,estimates of ,returns4--,anyone contemplating making a start in celery growing will do well to first investigate the market prospects1 and unless satisfactory shipping arrangements can be made beforehand the crop should be planted only on a small scale for one or two years1 until a local trade can be established4 ,it is fair to estimate a return of #a1ejj dozen from #a acre2 and this should bring #be cents per dozen1 at the lowest average estimate2 this will yield a gross income of #cge to the acre1 leaving a net balance of #abe to cover the interest on the investment and the profit4 ,as a matter of fact1 the growers who are making a success of celery raising--and many are doing so--receive a net profit of #ajj an acre over and above the interest on the investment4 ,on the other hand1 hundreds of acres are grown annually which do not much more than pay expenses1 but this is due to the fact that the soil has become exhausted and the product is consequently undersized and inferior4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee1 #bhb2 ,cornell ,e4 ,s4 #acb2 ,colo4 ,e4 ,s4 #add47 ,,cetewayo1 ,,or ,,zulu1 ,,potatoes4 ,the ,cetewayo1 or ,zulu1 potato1 a wild variety of ,solanum tuberosum found in ,africa1 is sometimes grown as a garden vegetable for its flavor and novelty4 ,it has practically the same percentage composition as the ordinary potato4 ,when cooked1 the flesh is purple in color1 but when brought in contact with vinegar1 as in salads1 it turns red4--7,f4 ,b4 #bie47 ,,the ,,chayote4 ,the chayote suggests the cucumber rather than any other of the cultivated plants of the same family1 but is a larger and more vigorous plant1 climbing widely by means of numerous branched tendrils4 ,when grown under ordinary garden conditions the cultural requirements of the chayote may be said to be two in number3 7#a7 ,a somewhat sheltered situation and 7#b7 something to climb upon4 ,while the vine will not refuse to grow without these advantages1 the results will not be satisfactory4 ,like many climbing plants1 the chayote is very susceptible to injury from the wind1 while1 unlike many ,cucurbitaceae1 it does not seem to take kindly to creeping upon the ground1 at least in the ,tropics4 ,in the different parts of the world the chayote has been found to grow upon a great variety of soils1 though it is generally considered to thrive best in a loose sandy or loamy substratum1 providing sufficient humus or other fertilizing material be at hand4 ,although it has been found possible to secure plants from the seed when planted alone1 or even from the embryo when carefully extracted from its seed coats1 it is the universal practice to plant the entire fruit4 ,the fruit should be gathered before fully matured1 because of the tendency to germinate4 ,it is like the cucumber1 edible at any stage of growth1 and may be picked when large enough4 ,the chayote is a good shipper and may be shipped in bulk in vegetable crates1 wrapped and well packed2 cold storage will not be necessary4--7,dept4 ,ag41 ,div4 of ,botany #bh2 ,p4 ,rico ,a4 ,e4 ,s4 #g74 ,,chervil4 ,under the name of chervil two distinct plants1 known as salad chervil and the turnip-rooted chervil1 are cultivated4 ,the seeds of the salad chervil are sown in spring and the crop will thrive on any good garden soil4 ,the seeds of the turnip-rooted chervil should be sown in the early autumn1 but they will not germinate until the following spring4 ,the edible part of this plant is the root1 which somewhat resembles the carrot and is used in the same manner4 ,the leaves are used the same as parsley for garnishing and in flavoring soups4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee47 ,,chicory4 ,chicory is grown for two or three purposes4 ,the root of this plant is the common adulterant of coffee1 and large quantities are used for this purpose4 ,the commercial growing of chicory is confined to a few sections1 as the crop will not thrive on every kind of soil4 ,a deep1 rich loam1 without excessive amounts of clay or sand1 is desirable1 and soil that is not too rich in nitrogenous matter is best suited to the production of roots4 ,the roots are frequently placed in soil under a greenhouse bench or in a warm cellar and covered with a foot or more of straw1 or with a light covering of straw and then several inches of warm manure4 ,under this covering the leaves will be formed in a solid head1 which is known on the market as witloof4 ,chicory has run wild in some parts of the country and is considered a bad weed4 ,the handsome blue flowers1 which are borne the second season1 are very attractive4 ,as a pot herb chicory is used like spinach1 but the leaves should be boiled in two waters to remove the bitter taste4 ,as a salad the roots are dug in the autumn and planted in cellars or under a greenhouse bench1 where they produce an abundance of blanched leaves1 which are eaten raw4 ,the blanched leaves are also boiled and used as greens4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,u4 ,idaho ,e4 ,s4 #aj47 ,,chile4 ,the chile is used in many different ways and it is quite an important article of food among the ,spanish speaking population in the ,southwest and in ,mexico4 ,it is eaten both in the green and ripe state4 ,it may be grown on ridges or in level plats4 ,the former method is the more common in ,new ,mexico4 ,in the spring after the ground has been plowed and leveled 7the plowing of the land can be done in the fall or winter7 and just a little before planting the ridges are made4 ,these ridges may vary in height from #h to #ab inches4 ,it is better to irrigate the ridges before planting1 though this is not always done4 ,the object of irrigating before planting is to get the water mark on the side of the ridges and to settle the newly plowed soil somewhat4 ,as soon as the soil is dry enough so it can be worked1 which is generally from four to seven days1 the seed is planted usually on one side of the ridge and just above the water mark4 ,the seed is planted by hand in hills about every two feet in the row4 ,the chile does not stand freezing weather1 though it will stand a little more cold than tomatoes4 ,for the convenience of intending chile growers the following table which gives the number of hills per acre at different distances has been prepared3 ,number of ,distance4 ,hills per ,acre4 #c-a_/b feet between rows #b feet in the row #fbbb #c-a_/b feet between rows #b-a_/b feet in the row #digh #d feet between rows #b feet in the row #edde #d feet between rows #b-a_/b feet in the row #dcef ,planting4--,the seed is planted on the side of the ridge1 when the ridge method is practiced4 ,the southern exposure of the ridge is always preferable since this is usually warmer and the germination1 other factors being uniform1 is quicker4 ,if level culture is practiced there is no choice of exposure4 ,whatever method of planting is followed care should be taken not to bury the seed too deeply4 ,as a general thing the seed should not be deeper than three-fourths of an inch to an inch and a half4 ,shallower planting1 if the moisture is kept normal1 will give quicker and better germination4 ,more seed is required per acre when the planting is done by hand on the ridges than when it is drilled with a garden drill in plats4 ,thinning4--,chile started from seed planted in the field must be thinned to one or three plants to the hill4 ,when the chile has been thinned out properly the plant or plants in the hill branch out considerably and produce a heavier and better crop4 ,if too many plants are left to the hill there is a marked tendency for the plants to grow too tall and more or less top heavy4 ,the chile is thinned out when about #c to #e inches high4 ,if a good germination takes place it is more difficult to thin the chile1 because there are more small plants to the hill to be pulled out4 ,care should be had in selecting the strongest plants in the hill and in injuring as little as possible the roots of those which remain4 ,while the common way of growing chile is to plant the seed out in the field in the spring1 it can also be grown by starting the plants in cold frames early in the season and transplanting to the field as soon as danger of frost is over4 ,irrigation4--,after the irrigations to get the crop started have been given1 the frequency of the subsequent irrigations depends upon the weather and soil conditions1 and for that reason no specific statement can be made just when and how often the chile should be irrigated4 ,one thing1 however1 is important to keep in mind1 and that is that the chile plant keeps bearing as long as it is growing4 ,if the growth should be checked by the lack of irrigation the plant stops bearing and the blossoms and the very small pods are likely to drop off4 ,the grower himself should study his local conditions and decide for himself when and how much to irrigate4 ,while the chile plant resists considerable drought1 at the same time1 it should not be allowed to suffer from the lack of irrigation4 ,when the chile is grown on ridges the space between the ridges should be allowed to fill with water almost up to the plant4 ,if the water is simply turned in and allowed to rush down the furrow to the other end the ridges will remain practically dry1 necessitating frequent irrigations to keep the plants from suffering4 ,in irrigating the chile on ridges always aim to hold the water long enough in the furrow for the ridges to get fairly well soaked through4 ,in the level plat the irrigation is more simple and the soil around each hill gets wet sufficiently while the water is running down to the end of the plat4 ,when the plats are quite long and are made up of a series of squares as soon as each square is filled with water the border1 dividing that square from the next one1 is cut and the water rushes into the next square which is treated the same as the one before4--7,n4 ,mex4 ,col4 ,ag4 and ,mech4 ,arts #fg47 ,,chive4 ,this is a small onion-like plant having flat1 hollow leaves which are used for flavoring soups4 ,the chive rarely forms seeds1 and it is propagated by the bulbs1 which grow in clusters4 ,the leaves may be cut freely and are soon replaced by others4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,s4 ,dak4 ,e4 ,s4 #fh47 ,,citron4 ,the citron is a type of watermelon with solid flesh which is used for preserves and sweet pickles4 ,the rind of the watermelon is frequently substituted for citron4 ,the cultivation of the citron is the same as for the watermelon4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,u4 ,idaho ,e4 ,s4 #aj47 ,,collards4 ,the culture and uses of collards are the same as for cabbage and kale4 ,collards withstand the heat better than either cabbage or kale1 and a type known as ,georgia collards is highly esteemed in the ,southern ,states4 ,collards do not form a true head1 but instead a loose rosette of leaves1 which1 when blanched1 are very tender and of delicate flavor4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,u4 ,idaho ,e4 ,s4 #aj2 ,p4 ,rico ,a4 ,e4 ,s4 #g47 ,,corn ,,salad4 ,corn salad is also known as lamb's-lettuce and fetticus4 ,sow the seed during the early spring in drills #ad to #ah inches apart and cultivate the same as for lettuce or mustard4 ,for an extra early crop the seed may be planted during the autumn and the plants covered lightly during the winter4 ,in the ,southern ,states the covering will not be necessary and the plants will be ready for use during ,february and ,march4 ,the leaves are frequently used in their natural green state1 but they may be blanched by covering the rows with anything that will exclude the light4 ,corn salad is used as a salad in place of lettuce1 or mixed with lettuce or water cress4 ,the flavor of corn salad is very mild1 and it is improved by mixing with some other salad plant for use4 ,it is also boiled with mustard for greens4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee47 ,,cress4 ,under the name of cress there are two forms1 the water cress and the upland cress4 ,the upland cress1 sometimes called peppergrass1 is easily grown from seed sown in drills a foot apart4 ,as the plants last but a short time1 it will be necessary to make a sowing every few days if a continuous supply is desired4 ,water cress can be grown all the year in small open ditches containing running spring water4 ,it is best and most easily produced in water from rather warm springs in limestone regions4 ,a sufficient supply for family use can be grown in a small spring-fed brook1 and the plants may be started either from small pieces of plants or from seed4 ,cress is used in salads1 to which it imparts a pleasant pungency4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,u4 ,idaho ,e4 ,s4 #aj2 ,p4 ,rico ,a4 ,e4 ,s4 #g47 ,,cucumbers4 ,soil4--,the soil best adapted to the cultivation of cucumbers in the open is a light sandy loam1 one which responds quickly to temperature and fertilizer4 ,such soils are prepared early in the season and thrown into gentle undulations1 so as to produce slight ridges upon which to plant the seed to insure good surface drainage4 ,fertilizers4--,the soil for cucumbers should be made very rich by the annual application of heavy dressings of stable manure to be incorporated with the soil4 ,during the time it is not occupied by cucumbers or lettuce1 cowpeas are frequently grown upon the area and turned under prior to planting a fall crop of lettuce4 ,in addition to this1 liberal applications of a fertilizer carrying a considerable percentage of nitrogen are employed4 ,planting4--,there are almost as many methods of planting cucumbers as there are growers4 ,some plant in hills the standard distance of #f feet apart each way2 others plant in hills #f feet apart in one direction and #b or #c feet apart in the row1 while others plant in drills or broad belts #f feet apart and chop out the plants to stand about a foot apart in the row after all danger from insect depredation has ceased4 ,the methods which seem most economical under the conditions at hand will of course be adopted by the grower4 ,in outdoor culture the cucumber is frequently used as a companion crop to other crops1 like beans4 ,beans being of rapid growth come on quickly and form a partial protection or wind-break for the young cucumber plants4 ,when arranged in this way1 cucumbers are planted in drills or in hills #f feet apart and a row of beans is placed between two rows of cucumbers1 a method which insures a very complete and satisfactory use of the ground4 ,the quick maturity of the beans allows them to be harvested and entirely removed from the area before it is required for the cucumbers4 ,harvesting4--,cucumbers intended for pickling purposes are harvested when they have attained a length of from #b-a_/b to #e inches4 ,because such cucumbers are bought by weight it will readily be seen that the small-sized pickles are less profitable to the grower than the larger ones1 and in order to secure them before they have attained an unsalable size it is necessary that the picking be repeated at frequent intervals1 as cucumbers grow rapidly and a delay of twenty-four to forty-eight hours in harvesting would render many of them unsalable4 ,it is therefore necessary to have regular intervals to harvest certain areas of the patch and to continue this routine throughout the bearing season4 ,another point which is of prime importance in the management of the cucumber patch is that none of the fruits be allowed to come to maturity4 ,the ripening process1 which means the development and maturing of the seeds1 produces a heavy strain upon the growing plant1 the life and yield of the plant being in proportion to the number of fruits which are allowed to ripen4 ,if no fruits are allowed to come to maturity the plants will remain green and in an active vegetative condition longer and will produce a much larger aggregate number of fruits4 ,dill ,pickles4--,dill pickles1 which are much prized and command the highest price among pickles1 can be made from fresh cucumbers as they come from the vines1 or from vat stock which has been carried for some time at the salting station4 ,cucumbers ,grown in ,cold ,frames for ,market4--,soil for use in cold frames should be a well-enriched sandy loam of the type of the usual sandy loam4 ,if it can be dark in color1 this is an advantage4 ,if normally light1 the color can be changed by the addition of muck or by incorporating well-decomposed stable manure with the surface soil4 ,a dark color is of some advantage in helping to raise the temperature in the frames under the glass4 ,watering4--,since the glazed sash prevent the soil beneath them being moistened by natural means--that is1 by rain or dew--it is necessary that means be provided for watering or irrigating the plants4 ,this can be done by arranging pipes upon the surface of the ground or at a convenient height overhead1 so as not to interfere with cultivation1 from which water can be drawn to sprinkle the surface of the beds at desired intervals and as the plants may require4 ,the work of watering should1 however1 be very carefully done4 ,the same general precautions necessary for the care of plants in cold frames should be observed--that is1 to do the watering in the morning on bright days only1 when air can be admitted and when the sun will soon dry the moisture from the leaves of the plants4 ,in this way much can be done to protect the plants from injury from such diseases as the damping-off fungus and mildew4 ,illustration3 ,,japanese ,,climbing ,,cucumber ,,nearly ,,six ,,feet ,,from ,,the ,,ground ,illustration3 ,,well-,,grown ,,cucumbers ,ventilation4--,besides the precautions to be observed in watering plants in cold frames1 extreme care is necessary to give the plants sufficient air to keep them in a healthy condition4 ,if the atmosphere is allowed to become close and very hot1 the plants will be weakened and thus rendered more susceptible to the attacks of plant diseases4 ,forcing ,cucumbers ,under ,glass4--,forcing is a technical term used by gardeners to designate the growing of plants out of their normal season under an artificial environment4 ,the cucumber is one of the few garden plants which lend themselves to this manner of cultivation in addition to their more extensive cultivation in the open ground4 ,under the stimulus of forcing work1 two distinct types of cucumbers have been developed4 ,these are recognized in the trade as the ,english type and the ,american type4 ,the ,english type is purely a product of forcing-house conditions1 as the climate of ,england is not congenial to the growth and development of the cucumber in the open4 ,the ,american type of cucumber is primarily a product of field conditions1 and the few varieties which have been developed to meet the requirements of the forcing house are simply modifications of the existing field or outdoor forms4 ,the ,english type of cucumber is a long1 cylindrical1 uniformly green fruit1 with few seeds and a very fleshy seed cavity2 in fact1 the normal seed cavity of the forced cucumber is almost entirely wanting4 ,the triangular shape characteristic of the normal outdoor cucumber has been lost1 and the cylindrical outline almost perfected4 ,there is considerable difference in the size and length of the various ,english varieties of cucumbers4 ,the ,american type of cucumber is primarily grown in the field1 the product to be used either for pickling or for slicing4 ,forcing cucumbers in ,america is confined to those varieties which produce large fruits suitable for slicing4 ,only three or four of the better and larger field varieties are adapted to this purpose4 ,notable among these is the ,white ,spine1 the ,arlington ,white ,spine being the variety which has been especially developed for forcing4 ,the ,long ,green1 or a modification of it1 is also sometimes used1 but aside from these two varieties there are few that ever find their way into the forcing house4 ,such varieties as the ,boston ,pickling1 ,chicago ,pickling1 and the cluster varieties in general are not adapted to forcing purposes4 ,the forcing of cucumbers presupposes that an adequate forcing house or greenhouse is at hand for such work4 ,the chief desideratum in a forcing house for cucumbers is a maximum amount of light1 sufficient headroom1 and adequate radiation to maintain a temperature varying from #fe to #he ,f4 ,the amount of radiation will1 of course1 depend upon the style of heating employed1 whether steam or hot water1 and upon the location of the greenhouse1 whether at the north or the south2 the outside temperature determining to a considerable extent the amount of radiation required in the house to maintain a given degree of heat4 ,propagation4--,there are a number of methods of propagation followed by successful cucumber growers1 all of which have some advantages4 ,three of the more common practices are as follows3 7#a7 ,to plant the seeds of cucumbers in the soil of the bench where the plants are to grow and mature2 7#b7 to plant the seeds of the cucumbers in #c-;inch or #d-;inch pots filled about half full of soil and after the seeds have germinated and the hypocotyl or stem of the seedling has elongated to fill the pots well up to the seed leaves with soil2 and 7#c7 to plant the seeds in cups similar to those used for harvesting strawberries1 except that the cups for this purpose are usually made of ,georgia pine4 ,in the first case1 where the seeds are planted directly in the soil on the benches1 cucumbers are usually employed as a crop to follow lettuce1 seeds being planted in the lettuce benches before the crop is entirely removed1 heads of lettuce being taken out at proper distances to allow for the correct spacing of the cucumber plants1 and the seeds of cucumbers planted in the areas so left4 ,in the other two cases the rearing of the plants for forcing purposes can be carried on in a small house especially designed for this purpose or in a general propagating house1 thus obviating the necessity of heating and maintaining normal conditions in the growing house during the period previous to which the plants begin to run4 ,planting on the ,benches4--,as soon as the plants show well-developed runners and are #aj to #ab inches long they should be placed in their permanent position upon the greenhouse benches4 ,plants grown in pots must be carefully removed from these receptacles to the bench1 but those grown in the wooden cups above referred to can be planted1 cup and all1 in the soil of the bench4 ,the utmost care should be exercised to keep the plants of the cucumber growing rapidly at all times4 ,if cucumbers receive a severe check or are placed under conditions which are not entirely congenial to them1 they are liable to become dwarfed and stunted1 and as soon as vigorous growth ceases they become the prey of the melon aphis1 mildew1 and other pests and diseases which are so annoying to growers of cucumbers under artificial conditions4 ,distance to ,plant4--,after the plants have attained a height of #aj or #ab inches and are in a vigorous growing condition they should be placed about #ae or #ah inches apart in single rows upon the side benches of the greenhouse1 which are normally #c-a_/b feet wide1 or if planted on #h-;foot benches they should be planted about #aj or #ab inches from the edge of the bench and #ae to #ah inches apart and parallel with the edge of the bench4 ,in the broad benches1 where more than a double row can be carried1 plants can be set about #ah inches apart and in rows about #b feet apart4 ,a satisfactory plan for an #h-;foot bench will be a row parallel with and #aj inches from each edge of the bench and a double row #ah inches apart through the middle of the bench4 ,it is well1 however1 to allow as much space as possible4 ,the cucumber is a rank-growing plant and many side branches will develop if sufficient space is allowed4 ,training the ,plants4--,as soon as the plants show a tendency to run they should be trained so as to keep them from becoming unduly tangled and in order to fill all the space upon the trellis4 ,galvanized wires ,no4 #af can be run lengthwise of the house and stapled to the supports1 which should be placed about #f feet apart4 ,upon side benches which are elevated it will be necessary to train the cucumbers to the framework of the greenhouse4 ,for this purpose screw eyes about #h inches in length can be placed in the sash bars at intervals of #d or #e feet and the parallel wires to which the vines are to be tied stretched #ab inches apart lengthwise of the house through these screw eyes and firmly fastened at the ends4 ,the vines should then be loosely tied to the supporting wires with raffia or soft cotton yarn4 ,when the fruits become heavy1 as in the case of the ,english varieties1 it will become necessary to truss them to prevent their weight breaking the vines4 ,heavy fruits will cause the supporting wires or bands of raffia to break or girdle the vines unless they are supported independently4 ,the ,american varieties seldom attain sufficient size to require this precaution4 ,fruits of these varieties as soon as they are #h to #aj inches in length and #b inches in diameter are harvested for market4 ,the vines are usually sufficiently strong to withstand the weight of fruit of this size4 ,pollination4--,the cucumber1 like the other members of the gourd family to which it belongs1 bears two kinds of blossoms on widely separated parts of the plant4 ,the staminate or nonfruit-bearing flower is the first to appear and is in general borne near the base of the plant4 ,the pistillate blossom with the embryo cucumbers at its base appears later and is borne near the extremity of the newly forming and rapidly growing shoots4 ,since these flowers are normally produced in this way1 it is necessary that a transfer of pollen be made from the staminate to the pistillate flowers throughout the agency of insects or by other artificial means4 ,under greenhouse conditions and at the time of year that the cucumber is forced it is necessary to provide for pollination4 ,in small establishments this work can be done by hand4 ,the staminate blossoms are removed1 the petals turned back so as to allow the anthers to project1 and the pencil thus produced is then thrust into the cup of the pistillate flower in such a way as to distribute pollen upon the stigma of the pistillate flower4 ,in large establishments where hand pollination is out of the question a colony of honey bees is placed in each house to accomplish the work4--7,f4 ,b4 #bed1 #bee2 ,mass4 ,ag4 ,col4 ,e4 ,s4 #hg2 ,iowa ,ag4 ,col4 ,e4 ,s4 #dg47 ,,dandelion4 ,sow the seed of dandelion in spring in drills #ah inches apart1 covering it one-half inch deep4 ,thin the plants to about #ab inches apart and give good clean cultivation throughout the summer4 ,in the colder parts of the country it may be desirable to mulch slightly during the winter to prevent the plants heaving out of the soil4 ,early the following spring the plants will be ready for use as greens1 but they are greatly improved if blanched by setting two boards in the forms of an inverted letter ,v over the row4 ,the blanching not only makes the leaves more tender but destroys a part of the bitter taste4 ,dandelion greens should be boiled in two waters to remove the bitterness4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee-fh2 ,s4 ,dak4 #fh2 ,u4 ,id4 ,e4 ,s4 #aj47 ,,dill4 ,grown as fennel which it greatly resembles1 both being well known herbs used for flavoring pickles1 and both being of unsurpassed hardiness4--7,mich4 ,e4 ,s4 #bj47 ,,egg ,,plant4 ,this delicious vegetable is not so much cultivated in our gardens as it should be4 ,this has arisen largely from the difficulty of getting the plants from seed in the open ground4 ,if you have no greenhouse1 hotbed1 nor frame1 it will be best to buy the plants at setting-time from some one who grows them early in pots4 ,plants pulled from a bed are seldom worth planting1 as the egg plant is slow to recover from a serious check4 ,kind of ,soil4--,a sandy loam will be found excellent soil2 this should be well drained and have a moist subsoil4 ,land that has been drained1 if all other conditions are proper1 will make an excellent field4 ,this plant is a deep feeder1 so that the land should be plowed as deeply as possible4 ,a new field should not be taken1 while one might succeed1 the chances are not so good as on an old and well-tried piece of land4 ,be sure that all rubbish and matter that could interfere with cultivation has been removed4 ,fertilize the field broadcast2 there is little or no danger of the plants failing to get the food if it is in the soil4 ,the best way is to apply the fertilizer just before plowing the field1 and then apply a smaller amount where the plants are to stand2 work the fertilizer in well a week or two before setting out4 ,lay the land off into rows four feet apart1 and set the plants three or four feet apart in the row4 ,at convenient distances a row may be skipped to make a road to gather the crop4 ,after the crop has been planted there is little or no use for a hoe2 the plow can and ought to do the work4 ,no weeds should be allowed to show more than the seed leaves1 and the ground should be kept mellow enough to let a person sink nearly to the ankles in dry times4 ,when the fertilizer has been applied properly the roots will seek the deeper soil1 and the ordinary horse cultivator will not reach them at all4 ,eggplant raising pays best under high cultivation4 ,by replenishing the fertilizer1 plants may be kept in bearing until frost kills them in the fall1 but it will be found more profitable to renew the field1 if a summer or fall crop is desired4--7,u4 ,id4 ,e4 ,s4 #aj2 ,n4 ,c4 ,e4 ,s4 #acb2 ,fla4 ,e4 ,s4 #ca2 ,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,iowa ,e4 ,s4 #dg47 ,,endive4 ,the endive is a form of chicory4 ,sow the seeds thinly in drills1 and when the plants are well established thin to #h inches4 ,water and cultivate thoroughly in order that a good growth of leaves may be made4 ,when the leaves are #f to #h inches in length draw them together and tie them so the heart will blanch4 ,the leaves should not be tied up while wet or decay will follow4 ,the heads should be used as soon as blanched4 ,for winter use sow the seeds rather late and remove the plants1 with a ball of earth adhering to the roots1 to a cellar or cold frame1 and blanch during the winter as required for use4 ,endive is used as a salad at times of the year when lettuce and similar crops are out of season4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,u4 ,id4 ,e4 ,s4 #aj2 ,s4 ,dak4 ,e4 ,s4 #fh47 ,,fennel4 ,cultivated for the sweet aromatic foliage and fruit is an herb used for flavoring pickles4--7,mich4 ,e4 ,s4 #bj47 ,,garlic4 ,garlic is closely allied to the onion1 but will remain in the ground from one year to another if undisturbed4 ,garlic is planted by setting the small bulbs1 or cloves1 either in the autumn or early spring4 ,the culture is practically the same as for the onion4 ,the bulbs are used for flavoring purposes4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee47 ,,ginger4 ,ginger1 the underground root stock of ,zingiber officinale1 is perhaps most commonly used dry as a spice1 though the fresh root or green ginger is common in autumn1 being used in pickle making1 preserving1 and in other ways4 ,the young and tender ends of the branching root or rhizome1 called ginger buds1 are the most delicate portion as regards both texture and flavor4 ,large quantities of ginger root are preserved in rich sugar syrup1 the round stone jars of ,canton ginger being an old-fashioned confection which is still much prized4 ,the crystallized or candied ginger is even more common and is frequently served as a sweetmeat1 and is also used in making deserts of various sorts4--7,f4 ,b4 #bie47 ,,herbs4 ,to this group belong a number of plants hardly recognized as vegetables in the common use of the term1 yet of sufficient importance to entitle them to a corner in the family garden4 ,the herb garden or patch is too often considered a worthless gift or fashion handed down from grandmother's day4 ,in every well ordered garden there should be a few of the common herbs4 ,the same conditions concerning care1 cultivation1 etc41 will answer for all4 ,the site selected should be out of the way so that it may not be disturbed4 ,as the bed is to be permanent it should be made fertile and cultivated deeply4 ,in sowing classify according to whether they are annuals or perennials4 ,the plants may be grown from seed but whenever possible1 propagation by root division is much more easy and certain4 ,in autumn before frost the leaves and stems of those desired for winter use should be gathered1 tied in small bunches and hung up to dry in an airy room4 ,where the seed is desired1 it should be allowed to ripen and harvested4--7,u4 ,id4 ,e4 ,s4 #aj2 ,s4 ,dak4 ,e4 ,s4 #fh2 ,n4 ,c4 ,e4 ,s4 #acb47 ,,ice ,,plant4 ,this plant 7,mesembryanthemum cristallinum7 gets its name from the crystalline ice-like covering of the leaves4 ,in hot countries the leaves are used as a salad or boiled the same as spinach4--7,s4 ,dak4 ,e4 ,s4 #fh47 ,,horse-,,radish4 ,this plant will thrive best in a deep1 rich soil1 where there is plenty of moisture4 ,the rows should be #c feet apart and the plants #ab to #ah inches apart in the row4 ,tops cut from large roots or pieces of small roots are used for planting4 ,a comparatively few hills of horse-radish will be sufficient for family use1 and the roots required for starting can be secured of seedsmen for #be or #cj cents a dozen4 ,this crop will require no particular cultivation except to keep down the weeds1 and is inclined to become a weed itself if not controlled4 ,the large fleshy roots are prepared for use by peeling and grating4 ,the grated root is treated with a little salt and vinegar and served as a relish with meats1 oysters1 etc4 ,the roots should be dug during the winter or early spring before the leaves start4 ,after being treated with salt and vinegar the grated root may be bottled for summer use4 ,as this has always been considered strictly a cold-weather plant1 is would seem useless to try to grow it in ,porto ,rico1 but1 as it gave very favorable results at this station1 it can no doubt be produced for local consumption4 ,it is practically unknown in ,porto ,rico1 but most people acquire a taste for it1 and foreigners1 who are used to it in their native country1 will find it very gratifying that they can grow it here4 ,in the ,north it thrives in any soil from a light sand to a heavy clay1 but prefers a medium heavy loam4 ,here it grows luxuriantly in heavy clay but may not do so well in sand4 ,it is planted from cuttings of the lateral roots1 which should be from #d to #f inches long and planted at a distance of #ab to #ae inches in rows #bd to #cj inches apart4 ,root cuttings can be obtained either in spring or fall from any seed firm1 and these should be planted when received4 ,the roots can be dug when large enough for use or can be left in the ground until wanted4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee3 ,u4 ,id4 ,e4 ,s4 #aj2 ,p4 ,rico ,e4 ,s4 #g47 ,,kale1 ,,or ,,borecole4 ,there are a large number of forms of kale1 and these are thought by some to be the original type of the cabbage4 ,kale does not form a head and has convoluted leaves and thick leaf stems4 ,it is cultivated the same as cabbage1 but may be set somewhat closer4 ,this crop is very hardy and will live through the winter in the open ground in localities where freezing it not too severe4 ,the flavor of kale is improved by frost4 ,kale is used for greens during the winter1 and as a substitute for cabbage4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,n4 ,car4 ,e4 ,s4 #acb2 ,u4 ,id4 ,e4 ,s4 #aj47 ,,kohl-,,rabi4 ,kohl-rabi belongs to the same class as cabbage and cauliflower1 but presents a marked variation from either4 ,it is1 perhaps1 half-way between the cabbage and turnip1 in that its edible part consists of the swollen stem of the plant4 ,for an early crop1 plant and cultivate the same as for early cabbage4 ,for a late crop or for all seasons in the ,south the seed may be sown in drills where the crop is to be grown and thinned to about #h inches apart in the row4 ,the rows should be from #ah to #cf inches apart1 according to the kind of cultivation employed4 ,the fleshy stems should be used while they are young and quite tender4 ,prepare kohl-rabi for the table in the same manner as turnips1 which it very much resembles when cooked4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,u4 ,id4 ,e4 ,s4 #aj2 ,mich4 ,e4 ,s4 #bj2 ,n4 ,c4 ,e4 ,s4 #acb2 ,la4 ,e4 ,s4 #ij47 ,,leek4 ,this plant belongs to the same class as does the onion1 but requires somewhat different treatment4 ,leeks can be grown on any good garden soil and are usually sown in a shallow trench4 ,the plants should be thinned to stand about #d inches apart in the row and the cultivation should be similar to that for onions4 ,after the plants have attained almost full size the earth is drawn around them to the height of #f or #h inches to blanch the fleshy stem4 ,the leek does not form a true bulb like the onion1 but the stem is uniformly thick throughout4 ,leeks are marketed in bunches like young onions1 and they may be stored the same as celery for winter4 ,leeks are used for flavoring purposes and are boiled and served with a cream dressing the same as young onions4--7,n4 ,car4 ,e4 ,s4 #acb2 ,la4 ,e4 ,s4 #ij2 ,f4 ,b4 #bee47 ,,lettuce4 ,this crop attains its best development in a rich sandy loam in which there is plenty of organic matter4 ,lettuce thrives best during the early spring or late autumn and will not withstand the heat of summer4 ,in order that the leaves may be crisp and tender1 it is necessary to force the growth4 ,the usual method of growing lettuce for home use is to sow the seeds broadcast in a bed and remove the leaves from the plants as rapidly as they become large enough for use4 ,a much better method is either to thin or transplant the seedlings and allow the plants to form rather compact heads and then cut the entire plant for use4 ,in the ,southern ,states the seeds may be sown during the autumn and the plants allowed to remain in the ground over winter4 ,at the ,north the seeds may be sown in a hotbed or cold frame and the seedlings transplanted to the open ground1 or the seeding may be in rows in the garden and the plants thinned to #e or #f inches in the row4 ,lettuce may be grown in rows about #ab inches apart4 ,in order to produce crisp and tender lettuce during the summer months1 it may be necessary to provide some form of partial shading4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,n4 ,y4 ,e4 ,s4 #bjh2 ,n4 ,car4 ,e4 ,s4 #adg2 ,tenn4 ,e4 ,s4 #b2 ,purdue ,ind4 ,e4 ,s4 #ff and #hd2 ,kas4 ,e4 ,s4 #gj47 ,,lleren 7,calathea allouya74 ,this vegetable1 although cultivated in ,porto ,rico for a long time1 is not extensively known4 ,the plant at a cursory glance resembles a canna4 ,the edible tubers1 which are formed in great profusion1 can be eaten boiled like potatoes2 but1 unlike potatoes1 they do not become soft1 but appear hard and crisp after prolonged boiling4 ,lleren somewhat resembles boiled sweet corn in taste1 and most people pronounce it delicious without needing to acquire a taste for it4 ,the best soil for lleren is a rich1 moist1 well-drained loam1 which is usually benefited by an application of wood ashes or sulphate of potash2 an excess of nitrogen causes the production of large tops and few tubers4 ,the stools or roots immediately adhering to stalks are the parts used for propagating2 the tubers will not germinate4 ,lleren should be planted at intervals of #b feet in rows #d feet apart1 and cultivated like any other vegetable4 ,it requires ten to fifteen months to mature tubers1 which are #c_/d to #a inch in diameter1 and may be harvested at any time when large enough1 but can be left in the ground for a long time without spoiling4 ,it is a good shipper and if introduced into the northern market it would soon create a demand4--7,p4 ,rico ,e4 ,s4 #g47 ,,martynia 7,unicorn ,plant74 ,the curious1 long beaked fruit is used for pickles4 ,the plants are quite hardy and ornamental1 the fruit being no less conspicuous for its odd shape than the large wax-like flowers of whitish color with purple and yellow spots4--7,mich4 ,e4 ,s4 #bj47 ,,melon--,,musk4 ,soil and ,location4--,the soil for muskmelons must be well drained and contain an abundance of humus and readily available plant food4 ,if these conditions are met1 it matters little what the particular type of soil may be4 ,a knoll or ridge sloping gently to the south and protected by timber on the north and west furnishes an ideal site for melons4 ,such a location will usually produce earlier melons than a north or west slope and is better than a level area because the soil dries out more quickly after a rain1 thus permitting more timely tillage in a wet season1 and resulting in the production of melons of better flavor4 ,it is only in dry seasons that low1 flat land1 unless thoroughly tile-drained1 produces good melons4 ,the condition of the soil in reference to its supply of humus has a marked influence upon the welfare of the melon crop4 ,because of its abundance of humus1 newly cleared timber land is well adapted to melon culture1 but is difficult to work on account of the stumps and roots4 ,land slightly deficient in humus can be put in condition for growing melons by plowing under a clover sod1 or a crop of cowpeas or rye1 or a coat of manure applied broadcast4 ,if melons are to be grown as one of the crops in a regular rotation1 they should constitute the crop immediately following the leguminous crop designed to add humus and nitrogen to the soil4 ,in regions where winter wheat and clover are grown1 a rotation of wheat1 clover and melons is highly satisfactory4 ,another good rotation would be3 oats1 clover1 melons1 corn4 ,in regions where clover does not thrive and wheat and oats are not grown1 a rotation of corn1 cowpeas1 and melons may be employed1 or the rotation extended by seeding to grass after the melons are harvested4 ,even with careful attention to rotation and the incorporation of humus by plowing under catch crops or manure1 ordinary farm land--including good corn land--is not sufficiently rich to produce a satisfactory crop of melons without the use of fertilizing material in the hills4 ,it is only on garden soil that has been made exceedingly rich by repeated applications of manure1 that it is wise to attempt to grow melons without special treatment of the hills4 ,manure for the ,hills4--,the manure for use in the melon hills is ricked up in the fall in long low piles1 about eight feet wide and two or three feet deep4 ,the sides of the pile are made as nearly perpendicular as possible and the top is flattened so that rains will soak in instead of running off4 ,sometimes a layer of dirt about three inches deep is placed on top of the manure to help retain the moisture4 ,early in the spring1 work is commenced on the manure to put it in condition for use4 ,the pile must be cut down and the manure turned and mixed until it is thoroughly decomposed and of fine texture4 ,formerly this work was done by hand with a fork1 and entailed a large amount of labor4 ,now some of the large growers do all this turning of the manure with a disk and plow4 ,the pile is worked three or four times at intervals of one or two weeks4 ,time of ,planting4--,the melon is a warm season crop1 and unless the soil is warm and the weather favorable the seeds will not germinate nor the plants grow4 ,it is therefore usually unwise to plant in advance of the normal season in the hope of securing an early crop4 ,occasionally1 such plantings do well1 but usually the stand is poor1 necessitating much replanting1 and the early plants which do survive are likely to be so badly stunted by reason of the cool weather that they do not mature their crop much in advance of the later plantings which have had the benefit of warm weather from the start4 ,preparations for ,planting4--,melon ground should be plowed early in the spring1 or replowed if it was broken in the fall4 ,after plowing1 it should be thoroughly pulverized by the use of a disk or harrow1 or both1 and then kept in good1 friable condition by occasional working until planting time arrives4 ,shortly before planting is to begin1 the field should be furrowed out both ways with a single-shovel plow or a one-horse turning plow4 ,the furrows should be about six inches deep1 and as far apart as the hills are to be placed4 ,on some soils melon vines make only a moderate growth and the hills may be planted as close as four feet apart each way2 but on rich soil1 where they make a stronger growth1 they should be at least five by five1 and in some cases six by six4 ,after the land is furrowed out the rotted manure is applied at the intersections of the furrows4 ,from a quart to a half-peck of manure is used for each hill1 depending upon the quality of the manure and also the quantity available4 ,the manure is dropped into the bottom of the furrow1 and either mixed thoroughly with the soil there1 and covered with a layer of pure soil in which to plant the seed1 or is merely covered with the soil without any mixing4 ,the latter method seems to give fully as good results as the former1 especially when a small quantity of manure is used1 and is a great saving of labor4 ,in either case1 especial care should be taken to compact the soil over the manure so that when the seed is planted it will not suffer from lack of moisture by reason of any vacant air space in or about the mass of manure4 ,sometimes the manure is covered with soil by merely plowing a furrow on each side of the furrow containing the manure1 but unless the soil is in exceedingly fine condition1 this method is not as satisfactory as using a hoe and giving each hill individual attention4 ,in making the hill1 some planters compact the soil with the hoe1 while others use the feet4 ,when ready for planting1 the hill should be practically level with the general surface of the field4 ,if too low1 the hill will become water-soaked in case of rain and the seeds or plants injured2 if too high1 there is likely to be insufficient moisture to insure proper germination and growth4 ,planting the ,seed4--,if the hills have been made more than a few minutes before the seed is dropped1 the top layer of dry soil should be scraped aside with a hoe so that the seed may be placed in immediate contact with moist soil4 ,the area thus prepared for planting the seed should be at least six inches across1 and should be smooth and level4 ,from ten to fifteen seeds should be scattered uniformly over this area1 and covered with about half an inch of fine1 moist soil4 ,this should be firmed with the back of the hoe and then covered with a sprinkle of loose dirt to serve as a mulch4 ,if a heavy rain packs the top of soil and a crust is formed before the plant appears1 it is wise to go over the field and carefully break the crust over each hill by means of a garden rake4 ,the method of preparing the hills and planting the seed described above applies to field rather than garden conditions and to soils of medium rather than excessive fertility4 ,in a market garden where the soil is exceedingly rich as a result of repeated manuring for onions or cabbage1 and is in fine tilth1 it is a common practice to sow the melon seed in drills six to eight feet apart1 by means of a garden seed drill4 ,this is done without any special preparation of the soil where the plants are to stand1 or application of fertilizing material other than manure applied broadcast before plowing4 ,thinning4--,while ten to fifteen seeds are planted per hill for the sake of insuring a full stand1 only two1 or at most three1 plants are left to make the crop4 ,thinning is usually deferred until the plants have become fully established1 and the struggle against the striped beetle is nearly over4 ,however1 the plants must be thinned before they begin to crowd badly1 or those which are to remain will be stunted in growth4 ,usually the thinning is completed by the time the plants have four rough leaves4 ,if the seed has been well scattered in planting1 so that each plant stands apart by itself1 the superfluous plants may be pulled with the fingers1 but extreme care must be taken to avoid disturbing the roots of the remaining plants4 ,sometimes the plants are cut off with a knife or shears1 instead of being pulled1 and thus all danger of disturbing the roots is avoided4 ,if the seeds have been sown with a drill as in market gardening practice1 the plants are usually thinned to one in a place at distances of two to two and one-half feet in the row4 ,transplanting4--,since it is impossible to increase the earliness of the crop to any great extent by early planting in the field1 growers have adopted the transplanting method4 ,this makes it possible to plant the seed three or four weeks earlier than would otherwise be feasible1 and to grow the plants under controlled conditions of temperature and moisture during their most critical period4 ,it also simplifies the matter of protection from striped beetles4 ,the main objections to this method are the expense for sash1 and the difficulties attending the transplanting4 ,a melon plant will not survive transplanting if the root system is disturbed4 ,for this reason the seed is sown on inverted sod1 in pots or in dirt bands4 ,the dirt bands are used almost exclusively by commercial growers4 ,these are thin strips of wood veneer1 three inches wide and eighteen inches long1 scored at intervals of four inches so that they can be bent without breaking4 ,when folded ready for use1 each band resembles a small strawberry box without the bottom4 ,these bands are placed close together in a hotbed and filled level full with fine1 rich soil4 ,with a block of wood shaped for the purpose1 the soil within the bands is pressed until it is #a_/b to #c_/d inch below the top of the band4 ,if only part of the dirt is put in at first1 and is pressed down firmly1 then the rest of the dirt put on and pressed1 the soil in the band will be more compact throughout and will hold together better in the transplanting than if the dirt were pressed only once4 ,unless the soil used was very moist1 the bed is then thoroughly watered4 ,next1 three seeds are placed in each band4 ,these are covered with fine1 loose soil deep enough to fill the band4 ,this soil is not firmed4 ,the hotbed for melon plants should have full exposure to light and be maintained at a high temperature--about #he degrees ,f4 during the day and #fe to #gj degrees at night4 ,as much ventilation should be given as the weather will permit1 and care exercised to avoid overwatering4 ,as soon as the plants are well started1 they are thinned to two in a band by cutting off the extra plant with a sharp knife4 ,when the plants are about four weeks old from the planting of seed they will be in the right condition for transplanting to the field4 ,they are then compact1 stocky plants with about four rough leaves4 ,if allowed to remain longer in the bed they begin to stretch for light and are of little value for planting1 for the long naked stems1 unable to support themselves and unaccustomed to direct sunlight1 would easily be sun-burned1 and the plants seriously checked if not killed outright4 ,cultivation4--,whether the melons are transplanted from a hotbed or grown from seed planted in the field1 the tillage of the crop should begin as soon as the plants can be seen4 ,in the case of transplanted plants1 this will be the same day that they are set in the field4 ,the early tillage should be deep1 and as close to the plant as it is feasible to run the cultivator4 ,the object of this deep tillage is to establish a deep root system so that the plants will not suffer so severely from dry weather later in the season4 ,in the case of a field planted crop it is not feasible to cultivate so close to the plants early in the season because of the danger of tearing out the little plants4 ,for this deep tillage a one-horse five-shovel cultivator1 often weighted with a rock1 is the tool most commonly used4 ,it is customary to follow this with a boat or a #ad-tooth cultivator to more fully pulverize the soil4 ,tillage is usually given after each rain or at least once each week so that the soil is maintained in a loose friable condition4 ,in addition to the cultivation with a horse1 much hand hoeing is required close about the plants4 ,any crust forming after a rain1 is broken1 and fresh1 moist soil drawn up about the plant4 ,crab grass and weeds appearing in the hill are removed by hand4 ,most growers cease tillage and lay-by the crop as soon as the vines have run enough to interfere with the cultivator4 ,the experience of a few growers who have turned the vines and kept them in windows so that tillage could be continued until the picking season opened1 indicates that a departure from the old method is likely to insure better development of the melons and a longer picking season1 though the first fruits may not ripen so early4 ,there is another distinct advantage in this turning of the vines1 in that the gathering of the crop is greatly facilitated and there is no injury to the vines from tramping4 ,seed4--,no matter what variety of melon is grown1 it is extremely important that pure seed be planted if good melons are to be produced4 ,the melon deteriorates very rapidly under careless methods of seed selection4 ,none but the very choicest specimens of the desired type1 from productive vines1 should be selected for seed4 ,it is unsafe to cut seed from a field in which more than one variety of melon is grown2 for seed from such a field would likely be very badly mixed1 and the product undesirable for market4 ,if a grower has sale for all his good melons1 it may be cheaper for him to purchase his seed than to save it4 ,but here again there is danger of procuring inferior seed1 for much of the melon seed on the market is cut without careful selection1 in order to meet the demand for cheap seed4 ,even cull melons are used to supply this demand4 ,such seed is expensive at any price4 ,the difference in the cost of good seed and poor seed is insignificant when compared with the advantages to be derived from the use of seed which can be depended upon to produce melons of a given type4 ,picking4--,there is considerable difference of opinion as to the exact stage of maturity at which melons should be picked for shipment4 ,if allowed to become too ripe before picking1 they become soft by the time they reach the market1 and often must be sacrificed in order to effect an immediate sale4 ,if picked too green1 the melons reach market in firm condition1 but are lacking in flavor1 and are not desired by the best trade4 ,it is a nice point to pick melons at such a degree of ripeness that they will reach the market in firm condition1 and yet possess the requisite flavor4 ,the farther from market the melons are produced1 the less mature they must be when picked4 ,furthermore1 the rapidity of softening after picking varies with the temperature to which the melons are subjected4 ,the cooler they can be kept after picking1 the longer they can be allowed to remain on the vines and the better flavor they will have4 ,it is1 therefore1 essential that the melons be placed in the shade as soon as possible after picking1 and be kept shaded until they are loaded into the car4 ,for the same reason1 riper melons can be shipped under the refrigeration than in ventilated cars4 ,it is also true that melons shipped during excessively hot weather1 unless under refrigeration1 will soften more rapidly than those shipped during cooler weather4 ,the condition of the vines and the rapidity of ripening of the melons in the field will also have a bearing upon the stage of maturity at which they should be picked4 ,early in the shipping season1 when the vines are in full vigor and the melons ripening slowly1 the fruits may safely be left upon the vines until more mature than would be safe later in the season when the plants have become somewhat weakened1 or1 by reason of excessive heat1 the melons are ripening very rapidly4 ,melons should not be picked at the same degree of maturity under different conditions of ripening1 methods of transportation1 and distances from market4 ,while it is true that no rule can be given for picking melons that will apply under all conditions1 and that the grower must exercise judgment in reference to each day's picking1 the ideal will be attained when the conditions are such that the melons will reach the market in the best condition if picked as soon as the fruit will part readily from the stem when the latter is pressed with the thumb or finger4 ,there is a tendency among some growers to pick considerably before this point has been reached1 in order to run no risk of the melons becoming soft in transit4 ,in fact1 some growers make a practice of picking the melons before a crack appears about the stem or any change of color takes place1 even on the under side of the fruit4 ,market ,demands4--,while various types of muskmelon may be disposed of upon a local market1 there are certain types which are recognized as standards in the large city markets2 and it is seldom wise to attempt to force upon a general market a variety not recognized as a standard in that particular market4 ,in the ,chicago market the sorts most in demand are the ,netted ,gem1 or ,rocky ,ford type1 and the ,osage4--7,ill4 ,e4 ,s4 #abd1 #aci2 ,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,s4 ,dak4 ,e4 ,s4 #fg2 ,n4 ,hamp4 ,e4 ,s4 #gj1 #if2 ,n4 ,y4 ,e4 ,s4 #bjj2 ,n4 ,mex4 ,e4 ,s4 #fc47 ,,melon--,,watermelon4 ,the cultivation of the watermelon is practically the same as for the muskmelon1 except that the plants grow larger and require more room for development than those of the muskmelon4 ,watermelons require that the soil should contain a larger percentage of sand than muskmelons1 and that the land should be quite rich4 ,watermelons should be planted #aj feet each way between the hills1 or in drills #aj feet apart and thinned to #c feet apart in the drills4 ,the watermelon seedlings must be protected from the cucumber beetle until the foliage becomes toughened4 ,watermelons readily group themselves into six classes based upon the color or characteristics of the skin or external appearance4 ,it does not necessarily follow that in the proposed classification the fruit of each variety will all be of the same form to which it is referred2 for1 as every melon grower knows1 the fruits in each hill vary more or less2 but if everything is normal and favorable for their development the characteristic form or that typifying the variety will predominate4 ,the larger the experience of the grower1 the easier it is for him to understand these various types4 ,in order to get the true type of each variety1 it is important that the seeds be secured directly from the seedsman who first introduced them thus avoiding complications or errors4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,n4 ,h4 ,e4 ,s4 #hf2 ,ind4 ,e4 ,s4 #abc2 ,n4 ,mex4 ,e4 ,s4 #fc2 ,s4 ,dak4 ,e4 ,s4 #fg47 ,i4 ,light ,green ,sweet ,heart ,type ,class 7oval shape7 ---- ---- 7medium shape7 ,monarch ,type1 7,long shape7 ,,ii4 ,medium ,green ,icing ,type1 ,class 7oval shape7 ---- ---- 7medium shape7 ,jackson ,type1 7long shape7 ,,iii4 ,dark ,green ,black ,spanish ,type ,class 7oval shape7 ---- ---- 7medium shape7 ,boss ,type1 7long shape7 ,,iv4 ,light ,striped ,kolb's ,gem ,type1 ,class 7oval shape7 ,cuban ,queen ,type1 7medium shape7 ,rattlesnake ,type1 7long shape7 ,v4 ,dull ,striped ,pride of ,georgia ,type1 ,class 7oval shape7 ,christmas ,type1 7medium shape7 ,favorite ,type1 7long shape7 ,,vi4 ,mottled ,green ,nabob ,type1 ,class 7oval shape7 ,phinney ,type1 7medium long shape7 ,,mustard4 ,almost any good soil will produce a crop of mustard4 ,the basal leaves of mustard are used for greens1 and as the plants require but a short time to reach the proper stage for use frequent sowings should be made4 ,sow the seeds thickly in drills as early as possible in the spring1 or for late use sow the seeds in ,september or ,october4 ,the forms of white mustard1 of which the leaves are often curled and frilled1 are generally used4 ,mustard greens are cooked like spinach4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,mich4 ,e4 ,s4 #bj2 ,la4 ,e4 ,s4 #ij47 ,,nasturtium4 ,the hardiness and unsurpassed beauty of this plant should make it a favorite near every home4 ,the seed pods just before beginning to ripen make a delicious flavoring for pickles4--7,mich4 ,e4 ,s4 #bj2 ,s4 ,dak4 ,e4 ,s4 #fh47 ,,new ,,zealand ,,spinach4 ,the plant known as ,new ,zealand spinach is not a true spinach1 but grows much larger and should be planted in rows #c feet apart1 with the plants #ab to #ah inches apart in the row4 ,some difficulty may be experienced in getting the seeds to germinate1 and they should be soaked one or two hours in hot water before planting4 ,new ,zealand spinach is satisfactory for growing in warm climates1 as it withstands heat better than the ordinary spinach4 ,the fleshy leaves and tender stems are cooked the same as spinach4 ,,okra 7,gumbo74 ,this plant may be grown throughout the greater portion of the ,united ,states1 but only one crop can be produced during a season in the northern part of the country4 ,in the region around ,new ,orleans successive plantings are made and a constant supply is maintained4 ,the plant is of a tropical nature and will not endure frost1 but the pods begin to be produced very soon after the plants start into rapid growth and continue to form for several weeks1 especially if all pods are removed while young and no seeds allowed to ripen upon the plants4 ,soil and ,its ,preparation4--,the soil upon which okra can be most successfully grown is a rich mellow loam1 plowed rather deeply and well worked over with pulverizing tools4 ,after the seedlings become established and the roots get a firm hold of the soil1 the growth is very rapid and a large amount of available plant food1 especially of a nitrogenous nature1 is required4 ,quick-acting commercial fertilizers may be applied in moderate quantities1 but these should be well mixed with the soil4 ,the same conditions that will produce good cotton or corn will be found suitable for the production of okra4 ,planting the ,seed4--,throughout the ,northern ,states planting should be done as early as possible in spring1 or as soon as the soil is warm enough for the planting of general garden seeds4 ,in the ,southern ,states1 where a continuous supply is desired1 successive seedings of four or five weeks apart should be made4 ,plant in rows #c-a_/b feet apart for the dwarf types1 and #d-a_/b feet for the larger-growing varieties4 ,scatter the seeds in drills1 or plant loosely in hills1 as with corn1 and cover to a depth of #a or #b inches1 according to the compactness and moisture content of the soil4 ,the seeds may be planted with any good seed drill1 but when placed in hills they should be separated #c or #d inches to allow space for the development of the stems4 ,if the soil is reasonably warm1 germination will take place within a few days1 but should there be a heavy rainfall in the mean time the soil should be lightly cultivated between the rows and the crust broken over the seed by means of an iron rake4 ,cultivation4--,as soon as the plants are well established they may be thinned to three or four in a hill1 or1 if grown in drills1 to #ab or #ad inches for the dwarf and #ah to #bd inches for the larger growing varieties4 ,where vacant places occur from failure in germination they may be filled in by transplanting4 ,cultivate as in the case of corn or cotton1 keeping the ground well stirred and the surface soil loose1 especially while the plants are small4 ,after the leaves begin to shade the ground1 very little cultivation is necessary except to keep the land free from weeds4 ,a poor soil and insufficient moisture will yield pods of inferior size and quality1 and irrigation may often be desirable in order to produce a marketable crop4 ,okra is sometimes grown as a mixed crop with cotton1 the okra being removed before the cotton begins to mature2 but this practice is not to be recommended1 as both crops draw heavily upon the nitrogenous matter of the soil4 ,the okra plants will usually continue to grow until late in the season1 but after a time the pods are not so large or tender as those produced earlier in the season4 ,as the pod is the only part of the plant ordinarily used for food1 it is desirable to secure a rapid and continuous growth in order to produce the greatest quantity of marketable pods4 ,gathering and ,marketing4--,as soon as the plants begin to set fruit the pods should be gathered each day1 preferably in the evening4 ,the flower opens during the night or early morning and fades after a few hours4 ,the pollen must be transferred during the early morning1 and the pod thus formed will usually be ready for gathering during the latter part of the following day1 although the time required to produce a marketable pod varies according to the age of the plant and the conditions under which it is grown4 ,the pods should always be gathered1 irrespective of size1 while they are still soft and before the seeds are half grown4--7,f4 ,b4 #bcb47 ,cultivation for ,seed4--,if okra is to be grown for seed alone1 only one variety should be planted1 or if more than one variety is grown each should be separated from the other by at least one-fourth mile to prevent mixing4 ,when several varieties of okra are grown near each other no seed should be saved except that produced by the method of bagging and hand pollination4 ,to secure seed in this way is a rather simple matter when only a small quantity is required1 as the pods formed on a single day when the plants are at their best will produce enough seed4 ,the bags should be tied over the flower buds in the evening and the pollen transferred early the following day4 ,replace the bags immediately1 as an insect or the wind may at any moment bring to the flower the pollen of another variety4 ,after going over all the flowers of a variety it is well to return to the first three or four and repollinate them in order that they may receive pollen from different individual flowers of the same variety and to insure perfect fertilization4 ,before beginning upon another variety the brush used for transferring the pollen should be thoroughly cleaned4 ,if a brush is not available1 use a portion of a young leaf1 folded together between the thumb and finger1 to convey the pollen4 ,this improvised brush should be discarded and a new one adopted for each variety4 ,the bags need remain only during the day on which the pollen is transferred and may be replaced by a tag to mark the pod4 ,the seed should remain on the plant until fully ripe4 ,the common bumblebee is a frequent visitor to the flowers of the okra1 and a single bee was on one morning observed to pollinate over #ejj flowers1 comprising more than #ej separate samples4 ,in this instance practically every flower in the field was visited and pollinated1 although no pollen had previously been transferred4 ,this observation demonstrated the necessity of great care to prevent cross-pollination4 ,our variety tests with okra have shown that seed growers have not always succeeded in keeping the varieties separate1 and as a result there has been a gradual blending together of all the sorts4 ,in many of the samples all the sorts usually grown are represented4 ,uses4--,the principal use of okra is in soups and various culinary preparations in which meats form an important factor1 as in the so-called gumbo soups1 to which the young pods impart an excellent flavor1 besides giving a pleasant mucilaginous consistency4 ,the young seeds are occasionally cooked in the same way as green peas1 and the very young and tender pods are boiled and served as a salad with ,french dressing4 ,both the stem and the mature pod contain a fibre which is employed in the manufacture of paper4 ,no copper1 brass1 or iron cooking vessels should be employed in preparing okra1 as the metal will be absorbed and the pods discolored or even rendered poisonous4 ,the cooking should be done in agate1 porcelain1 or earthen ware4--7,f4 ,b4 #bcb47 ,varieties4--,there are three general types of okra1 viz41 tall green1 dwarf green1 and lady finger4 ,each of these is again divided according to the length and color of the pods1 making in all six classes or varieties1 namely1 tall green1 long pod2 tall green1 short pod2 dwarf green1 long pod2 dwarf green1 short pod2 lady finger1 white pod2 and lady finger1 green pod4 ,all variations from these are merely the results of mixtures1 no true crosses or hybrids being formed4 ,these mixtures are easily separated and referred to the parent type1 and a little attention to roguing and selection is necessary in order to keep the varieties pure4 ,it is essential that the parietal strain should be pure in order that a uniform and marketable lot of pods may be produced4--7,f4 ,b4 #bcb1 #bee2 ,u4 ,id4 ,e4 ,s4 #aj47 ,,onions4 ,the onion is exceptional in that it will thrive under a very wide range of climatic and soil conditions4 ,there is perhaps no extended area in the ,united ,states1 except the mountainous regions1 where the onion can not be successfully grown4 ,for best results a temperate climate without great extremes of heat and cold should be selected4 ,onion culture is rarely profitable in regions where the climate does not change or has no definite seasons of heat and cold or wet and dry4 ,naturally the onion does best under rather cool conditions1 with plenty of moisture during its early stages1 but requires a reasonable degree of heat1 together with dryness of both soil and atmosphere1 for its proper ripening4 ,soils4--,the essential requirements of a soil upon which to grow onions profitably are a high state of fertility1 good mechanical condition in order that the crop may be easily worked1 sufficient drainage1 and freedom from weeds4 ,if a soil has the proper mechanical properties--that is1 if it contains sufficient sand and humus to be easily worked1 is retentive of moisture and fertilizers1 and is capable of drainage--all other requirements can be met4 ,as a general rule new land is not adapted to onion growing until it has been worked one or two years with other crops4 ,onions should follow some crop that has been kept under the hoe and free from weeds the previous season4 ,corn1 beans1 and potatoes are suitable crops with which to precede onions4 ,muck and sandy soils may in some cases be brought to a suitable condition for onions the first season1 but the fitting will have to be very thoroughly performed4 ,the land should be plowed in the autumn1 then replowed in the spring1 after which numerous harrowings and doubtless some hand work will be required to get the soil in suitable shape4 ,if necessary to manure the land heavily before planting to onions1 it will be desirable to plant to some farm crop one season1 then apply the manure during the autumn in order to give it time to become incorporated with the soil4 ,owing to the value of good onion land it would not be advisable to devote it to general farm crops for any extended period1 although corn is frequently planted and oats or rye are sometimes used in the ,north4 ,cowpeas may be of great service in bringing new land into shape for planting to onions4 ,preparation of the ,soil4--,assuming that the land intended for planting to onions is capable of being brought to a good mechanical condition1 fertile1 well drained1 and reasonably free from weed seeds1 the first step in the production of the crop will be to plow moderately deep1 then harrow1 disk1 roll1 and drag until the soil is smooth and mellow to a depth of #d or #e inches4 ,on soils that are naturally well drained and where surface water can not accumulate1 the plowing may be done in large blocks1 but where the opposite conditions are found or irrigation is practiced it may be necessary to plow the land in narrow beds4 ,in the case of insufficient drainage it will be desirable to throw the soil together into beds1 leaving a double furrow between each bed to carry off surplus water4 ,where the flooding system of irrigation is practiced the beds must be leveled and a system of ditches and ridges provided for distributing and controlling the water4 ,crop ,rotation4--,onions should not be planted on the same piece of land year after year1 and some system of crop rotation should be maintained4 ,care should be taken1 however1 to use crops in the rotation that will not be exhaustive of the high fertility necessary in the onion land4 ,during the years when the land is not devoted to onions it can be planted to some truck crop that will give a return that will justify the application of large quantities of fertilizers1 or1 better to a leguminous crop to be turned under as green manure4 ,continuous cropping with onions will cause the land to become infested with both disease and insect enemies that will sooner or later injure the crop to such an extent as to render it unprofitable4 ,fertilizers4--,as the onion is an intensive crop and yields great quantities of marketable bulbs for the area planted1 the grower is justified in manuring heavily4 ,it would be difficult indeed to make the soil too rich for onions1 provided the manures are thoroughly incorporated with the soil4 ,a heavy application of fresh raw manure just before planting would have an injurious effect1 but where the manure is well rotted and uniformly applied there is nothing to be feared4 ,animal ,manures4--,there is perhaps no fertilizer so well adapted to the production of onions as plenty of clean1 well-composted stable manure1 and the quantity and frequency of application will depend upon the nature of the land under cultivation4 ,all stable manure used on onion land should be well composted before use and then spread upon the land several months before planting to onions4 ,in the ,northern ,states the manure may be applied during the autumn and well disked into the soil4 ,the land can then be allowed to lie in the rough state and exposed to the action of frost during the winter1 or it can be smoothed and seeded to rye1 in which case it will be necessary to replow during the early springtime4 ,large quantities of fresh manure applied to onion land just before planting will have a tendency to produce an overgrowth of tops at the expense of the bulbs4 ,this is especially true on irrigated lands and soils that are naturally moist4 ,commercial ,fertilizers4--,where there is an abundance of humus matter in the soil the onion crop will be greatly benefited by moderate applications of high-grade commercial fertilizers4 ,many growers follow the practice of applying only a part of the fertilizer at planting time1 reserving the balance to be put on as a top-dressing at some time during the period of cultivation4 ,this plan is especially desirable where onions are grown during the winter1 as the application of highly nitrogenous fertilizers in the autumn is liable to promote a soft growth that will be injured by cold4 ,if the fertilizer is not put on until cold weather is over1 the crop may be forced without danger of injury4 ,for this purpose only those fertilizers of a very available form will answer4 ,planting and ,thinning4--,experienced growers are frequently able by using extreme care in regulating the drills to distribute onion seed in rows where the crop is to mature so that little thinning will be necessary4 ,thinning is generally left until the time of the first hand weeding1 when all thick bunches along the rows are thinned to a uniform stand of eight or ten plants to the foot4 ,it is always well1 however1 to allow for considerable loss of plants1 and unless the plants are so thick as to actually crowd1 thinning will not be necessary4 ,transplanting4--,the transplanting process1 often spoken of as the new onion culture1 is merely a modification of the regular seeding method4 ,the objects gained by transplanting are an earlier crop1 a uniform stand1 and bulbs of more regular size4 ,where a small area is to be grown1 the transplanting process is the ideal method1 but for large acreages and where labor is difficult to obtain1 this would not be practical4 ,after transplanting1 the seedlings will require rain or watering in order that they may start1 and for this reason the transplanting process is practically limited to areas where some form of irrigation is available4 ,in growing onions by the transplanting method the seed is sown in greenhouses1 hotbeds1 cold frames1 or specially prepared beds at the rate of #c-a_/b or #d pounds for each acre to be planted4 ,when the seedlings are grown under cover1 they are given the necessary attention regarding watering and ventilation and kept growing quite rapidly until near the time for setting them in the open ground4 ,as planting time approaches1 the seedlings are hardened or prepared for transplanting by increased ventilation and exposure and by withholding water4 ,when ready to transplant1 the seedlings should be somewhat smaller than a lead pencil and rather stocky4 ,the plants are lifted from the seed bed and the roots and tops both trimmed somewhat4 ,methods of ,tillage4--,the cultural requirements of the onion are frequent shallow stirring of the soil and freedom from weeds4 ,the feeding roots of the onion run close to the surface of the soil and should not be disturbed by deep cultivation4 ,sometimes a heavy rain immediately after seeding will so pack the surface that the seedlings can not break through4 ,under such circumstances it will be necessary to slightly break the surface by means of a steel rake or a rake-like attachment on a cultivator4 ,as soon as the plants are up and the rows can be followed the cultivator should be started to loosen the soil1 which is always more or less compacted during seeding4 ,it is well-nigh impossible to produce a crop of onions without some hand weeding4 ,during favorable seasons the strictly hand work may be reduced to but one or two weedings1 but a greater number will be necessary during rainy seasons4 ,the work of hand weeding may be facilitated by the use of some of the small hand tools designed for the purpose4 ,among these tools might be mentioned the onion hoe1 the hand weeder1 and the thinning or weeding hook4 ,irrigation4--,outside of the areas where irrigation methods are depended upon for the production of general crops it is not customary to use artificial watering in the growing of onions4 ,harvesting4--,in the ,north the bulbs are allowed to become as ripe as possible before removing them from the soil4 ,growers prefer that the tops ripen down and shrivel and that the outer skin of the bulbs be dry before they are pulled4 ,to the southward1 where the onions are not cured so thoroughly1 they are often pulled about the time that the tops begin to break and fall4 ,the ripening process may often be hastened by rolling a very light roller or a barrel over the tops to break them down4 ,this process is frequently spoken of as barreling4 ,where the bulbs are practically upon the surface they may be pulled by hand and thrown in windrows consisting of eight or ten onion rows4 ,if the onion bulbs are considerably covered with soil it will be necessary to employ a one-horse plow or a cultivator with a sweep attached for lifting them4 ,in any case it will be necessary to gather them from the soil by hand4 ,after lying in the windrows for several days and being stirred occasionally with wooden rakes they are gone over and the tops removed either by twisting or cutting with ordinary sheep shears4 ,in cases where very bright color is important as with fancy ,white ,globe onions1 and this would be injured by exposure to the sun and rain1 the bulbs are cured in long1 narrow1 low ricks formed by two rows of onions laid with the bulbs regularly to the center1 tops to the outside1 the rows a few inches apart at the bottom of the rick but coming together at the top1 and the top of the rick covered by straw or boards to shed the rain4 ,as the tops are removed the bulbs are generally placed in crates for drying4 ,in some sections onion-topping machines are employed1 the bulbs being hauled from the field to a central location and run through the topper4 ,these machines remove the tops1 grade the bulbs1 and deliver them into the crates or bags4 ,if crates are not employed for curing1 the bulbs are allowed to lie in the windrows for some time1 and are then either put into sacks or hauled to slat cribs1 where they complete the curing process4 ,too long exposure to hot sunshine will injure the bulbs4 ,where the bulbs are extremely dry at the time of their removal from the soil1 they may be allowed to lie in the windrows for a few days only1 and then sorted and cleaned in the field ready for packing and marketing4 ,storage4--,in order that onions should keep well when stored they must be well ripened and thoroughly cured4 ,those that are immature1 soft1 or thick necks should never be placed in storage but sold as soon as gathered for whatever price they will bring4 ,good storage onions will rattle almost like blocks of wood when poured from one crate to another4 ,in order that the bulbs may remain bright and of attractive appearance they should not be allowed to lie exposed to the weather1 but should be hauled and stored in open sheds just as soon as they may safely be placed in one-bushel crates4 ,after the bulbs have remained in drying sheds or cribs for several weeks they will be ready for screening and removal to the storehouse4 ,in handling onions it is the rule to pass them over a screen each time they are moved1 as in this way the loose skins are removed and any soft or decaying bulbs may be sorted out4 ,the essentials for the successful storage of onions are plenty of ventilation1 storing in small quantities1 a comparatively low temperature1 dryness1 and safety from actual freezing4 ,any building wherein the above conditions may be secured will answer4 ,marketing4--,large quantities of onions are sold and shipped direct from the fields where they are grown4 ,a part of the crop is held in temporary storage until late autumn or early winter4 ,during recent years the winter storage of onions has become of great importance and the finest stock is held for late winter deliveries4 ,the ,bermuda crop from the southwestern part of the country comes upon the market during ,april and ,may1 so that most of the storage onions are disposed of before that time4 ,in marketing onions the first essential is to properly grade and clean the bulbs1 in order that they may present an attractive appearance when offered for sale4 ,ordinarily the bulbs are separated into three grades--primes1 seconds1 and picklers4 ,the primes include all those of #a-a_/d inches1 in diameter and larger1 and the seconds consist of those from #c_/d inch to #a-a_/d inches in diameter1 while all those that will pass through a #c_/d-;inch screen are sold for pickling purposes4 ,the grading is generally done in the field during the cleaning process1 but as onions shrink considerably while in storage it is necessary to regrade before placing upon the market4 ,weight of ,onions4--,the legal weight of onions per bushel varies somewhat in different ,states1 but #ef pounds of dry onions are generally considered a standard bushel4 ,important ,commercial ,varieties4--,the varieties of onions that have distinctively yellow1 white1 and red skins and are of the globular type are of greatest commercial importance4 ,among the varieties that belong to the yellow globe class are the ,prizetaker1 ,yellow ,danvers1 ,yellow ,globe1 ,danvers1 ,southport ,yellow ,globe1 and ,ohio ,yellow ,globe4 ,the principal white varieties are ,southport ,white ,globe1 ,new ,queen1 ,italian ,tripoli1 ,silver ,skin1 and ,white ,silver ,king4 ,among the more important red sorts are ,red ,globe1 ,red ,wethersfield1 and ,australian ,brown4 ,the principal ,bermuda varieties are ,red ,bermuda1 ,white ,bermuda and ,crystal ,wax4 ,the ,bermuda onions are all of the more or less flat type4 ,the red coloration of the ,bermuda onion is not distinctive like that of the ,red ,wethersfield or ,red ,globe varieties1 but is lighter in color4 ,the famous ,denia onion is somewhat of the ,prizetaker type1 is light yellow in color1 grows to a large size1 and is mild in flavor4 ,in the selection of varieties for any particular locality the soil conditions and market requirements should both be considered4 ,those adapted to the muck soils are the yellow and red sorts4 ,for alluvial and prairie soils the red and brown varieties are to be preferred1 while all kinds do well on the sandy loams and light soils4 ,a cleaner1 better grade of white onions can generally be produced on light or sandy soils than on muck or clay loams4 ,those of the ,bermuda1 ,spanish1 and ,egyptian types flourish on the deep1 rich alluvial soils of the river bottoms and delta regions4 ,certain of our markets show a decided preference for onions belonging to a particular type4 ,the red and brown varieties find ready sale on the markets of the ,middle ,west1 while onions of the yellow and white varieties are preferred in the eastern cities4 ,onions will withstand long-distance shipment1 those of the ,red ,globe type being generally more subject to injury than the yellow and brown sorts4 ,some of the white varieties also have a thin skin and are easily injured4 ,it should be the aim of every grower to employ varieties that will withstand handling and at the same time find ready sale on the market4 ,other types of onions are top onions1 multipliers1 garlic1 and leeks1 which are planted to some extent for marketing purposes4 ,bermuda ,onions4--,the production of ,bermuda onions in the ,united ,states is a comparatively new industry and has thus far been undertaken mainly in ,texas and ,california4 ,soils of a silty or alluvial nature are suited to the production of ,bermuda onions1 and those containing considerable sand are most desirable4 ,the ,bermuda requires a very rich soil for the best results1 and this can only be obtained by first selecting a good soil and then manuring heavily4 ,the ,bermuda onion as grown in this country is a winter crop2 therefore1 mild climatic conditions are required4 ,while the plants would withstand considerable freezing1 their growth is seriously checked by cold weather1 and the crop will not mature in time for the early market if grown to the northward4 ,the cultural methods employed in the growing of ,bermuda onions are essentially the same as those for ordinary onions4 ,as the greater portion of the crop is grown in a region which has no regular rainfall1 irrigation methods are employed almost universally4 ,the greater part of the crop is grown by the transplanting process and a great amount of hand labor is required4 ,bermuda onions are harvested as early as possible1 generally before the tops have become fully ripened4 ,phenomenal yields of #cd1jjj and #ce1jjj pounds of ,bermuda onions are frequently made on an acre of land1 but this is far above the general average1 which is in the neighborhood of #aj1jjj or #ab1jjj pounds to the acre4 ,many fields1 especially when planted for the first time1 do not yield as much as #aj1jjj pounds to the acre4 ,on land that has been heavily manured and planted to onions for several years the yield averages about #af1jjj pounds4 ,the best ,bermuda-onion farms are valued at #cjj to #ejj an acre4 ,in order to prove profitable1 the growing of ,bermuda onions should be conducted on a comparatively large scale4 ,the necessary land and irrigation facilities will require the initial outlay of from #aj1jjj to #cj1jjj1 and the running expenses are quite heavy4 ,labor can be secured at a low price1 but is correspondingly inefficient and often not to be had in sufficient quantities4 ,furthermore1 the markets are now pretty well supplied with ,bermuda onions1 and persons who desire to engage in their production are advised to investigate every phase of the industry before embarking too heavily in it4 ,the expansion of the ,bermuda-onion industry is limited by the facts that a large supply of bulbs can be grown on a comparatively small area1 that the distance to market is great1 that the product is perishable1 and that the markets will consume only a limited quantity at the prices at which the crop can be sold with profit4 ,green ,onions for ,bunching4--,another phase of onion culture that is of considerable importance in certain localities is the production of young bunching onions for the early spring trade4 ,in several sections along the ,south ,atlantic coast the growing of this class of onions is quite an enterprise4 ,many persons who are engaged in other lines of work follow the practice of growing a small area of bunching onions as a side issue4 ,the varieties known as multipliers and top onions are generally employed for this purpose2 however1 bunching onions are sometimes grown from ordinary sets1 from inferior and damaged large onions1 and from seed4 ,the multipliers and top onions are the only kinds adapted for this work on a large scale4 ,for growing bunching onions the bulbs or sets are planted during the autumn either in beds or in rows #ab or #ad inches apart with the bulbs quite close in the rows4 ,the bulbs will start growing within a short time and make more or less growth during the winter4 ,as soon as the weather becomes warm during the first months of spring the onions make a rapid growth and are ready for marketing about the time peach trees begin to bloom4 ,in marketing this class of onions the young shoots are pulled1 the roots trimmed1 and the outside peeled off1 leaving the stem white and clean4 ,the onions are then tied in small bunches by means of a soft white string1 the tops trimmed slightly1 and the bunches packed in crates or baskets for shipment or sale on the local market4 ,this phase of the onion industry is limited to small plantings and is well suited to the needs of the general market garden4 ,during the springtime and early summer large quantities of ordinary young onions are pulled when the bulb is about the size of a fifty-cent piece1 the roots and tops are trimmed1 and they are then bunched and sold for stewing purposes4 ,so far as known1 this class of onions is not shipped to any great extent1 but is sold mainly on local markets4 ,home ,production of ,onion ,seed4--,the bulbs1 or mother bulbs1 as they are commonly called1 for the production of onion seed should be grown in the same manner as those intended for marketing1 except that more care should be taken throughout4 ,some seed growers prefer to use #f pounds of seed to an acre for the production of seed bulbs instead of #d pounds1 as ordinarily used in growing for market1 in order that the bulbs may crowd and not become too large4 ,the planting1 culture1 and harvesting of the bulbs are practically the same as for first-class marketable stock4 ,onion-seed growing is a two-year process and two crops are constantly to be cared for4 ,after growing the bulbs the first summer they must be stored over winter and replanted the following spring for the production of seed4 ,meantime the crop for the next year's planting must be coming on in order to have a crop of seed every year4 ,the first requisite for the growing of the best seed is a clear-cut ideal of the exact shape1 form1 color1 and general characteristics sought in the variety being grown4 ,the second requisite is the growing of seed from bulbs of that exact type for the greatest possible number of generations4 ,two selections should be made1 the first to include but a small number of the very finest and most ideal bulbs from which to produce the stock seed to be used the following year for the growing of the seed bulbs1 and the second to include the bulbs from which to grow the supply of seed for the market4 ,by keeping the very best stock separate and using the product for propagation the entire strain will be gradually improved4 ,bulbs a trifle below the ideal market size1 or about #a-a_/b to #b inches in diameter1 are the most profitable for seed production4 ,bulbs that are to be used for seed productions should be allowed to become thoroughly ripe in the field4 ,after pulling they should be stored in crates under a roof where they will have plenty of ventilation and be protected from sun and rain4 ,before freezing weather begins the onions should be graded and removed to a house where both ventilation and temperature can be controlled4 ,the temperature of the storage house should at no time be so low as to cause the bulbs to become frosted4 ,a temperature of #cb ,f4 for a short period will do no harm1 but should not be allowed to continue4 ,if the bulbs become frosted1 heated1 or sweated in storage they will sprout before planting time and be greatly injured for seed purposes4 ,in general1 the storage conditions should be the same as for marketable onions4 ,the proper time to gather the seed is when the inside of the grain has reached the dough stage4 ,onion seed assumes its black color very early2 in fact1 before it has passed the watery stage and formed milk in the grain4 ,this change of color is no indication of ripeness and very often deceives the inexperienced grower4 ,the heads should be harvested just before the first-formed seed begins to shatter in handling4 ,curing the ,seed ,heads4--,any building having a tight floor and in which a free circulation of air can be maintained will serve as a curing place for onion seed4 ,in localities where rains do not occur during the curing period the seed heads are frequently dried on sheets of canvas stretched over frames or spread upon the ground4 ,for curing the seed in houses1 wire-bottomed racks or trays placed one above the other are generally employed4 ,as the seed is stirred from time to time during the curing process considerable of it will be shattered and fall upon the tray below or finally upon the floor4 ,the main essentials in the curing of onion seed are to spread the heads very thinly1 not over two heads in depth1 and to give free ventilation4 ,even at a depth of #c inches in the trays it will be necessary to stir them very often1 especially during damp weather4 ,thrashing and ,cleaning the ,seed4--,the date for gathering the seed depends upon the locality and climate1 but as a rule this will be about midsummer4 ,the thrashing and cleaning of the seed are often deferred until quite late in the autumn1 except where the curing is done in the open air4 ,where large quantities of seed are produced the thrashing is done with machines similar to regular grain thrashers1 but when grown on a small scale the seed is removed by beating with a flail4 ,after the seed has been thrashed1 there is still considerable danger of its heating or molding if left in too great bulk4 ,the usual practice is to run it through a fanning mill to remove the dust and small particles of the heads or chaff that are broken up in thrashing4 ,in former years the method of cleaning was to place the seed in a tank of water the heavy seed settling to the bottom of the tank while the chaff and lighter portions could be floated off4 ,this process is no longer used to any great extent1 owing to the improvement in cleaning machinery1 and the danger of injuring the seed by the water4 ,after the seed is fanned and most of the foreign matter removed1 it should be spread thinly on the floor or canvas and stirred from time to time4 ,about the only test that can be applied in order to detect moisture in the seed is that of feeling it with the hand1 and anyone experienced in the handling of seed will soon become expert at determining when it is safe to bag it ready for storage or shipment4 ,production of ,seed for ,onion-,set ,growing4--,frequently the seed for onion-set growing is produced from bulbs selected from the sets themselves2 in other words1 the bulbs or mother bulbs are the overgrown sets4 ,owing to the great quantity of seed employed in set growing it is desirable to secure it cheaply1 and the bulbs selected from the sets1 being small1 will produce a larger quantity of seed per bushel from mother bulbs than when grown in the usual manner4 ,the stock seed bulbs should1 however1 be well matured1 small necked1 uniform in size1 and selected according to an ideal shape4 ,onion seed from undersized bulbs is not so desirable1 even for set growing1 as that from standard bulbs4 ,the length of time that onion seed will retain its vitality depends largely upon maturity and climatic conditions4 ,well-matured seed will always keep better than poorly ripened and inferior seed4 ,under ordinary conditions onion seed loses its vitality very rapidly after the second year1 especially if stored in a damp climate4 ,it will often pay to ship the seed to a dry climate for storage4 ,production of ,onion ,sets4--,the term set1 as applied to the onion1 indicates a small1 undersized bulb which1 when replanted in the ground1 will produce a large onion4 ,this method of producing onions is perhaps the oldest and now the most universally employed for the growing of small areas of onions in the garden where an early crop is desired4 ,the common method of producing sets is to plant a large quantity of seed on a small area of rather rich land and thus procure a great number of bulbs that are undersized1 owing to crowding and lack of plant food4 ,the greater number of these bulbs do not attain sufficient size or maturity to produce seed the following season and are really plants in which the process of growth has been arrested4 ,the climatic conditions governing the production of onion sets are practically the same as those for standard onions1 although it is not necessary to plant quite so early in the spring4 ,as the essential feature of growing onion sets is the crowding together of the plants in the rows1 a large quantity of seed is required to plant an acre4 ,the quantity of seed required varies with the different localities4 ,the ideal onion set is almost globular in shape and a trifle less than half an inch in diameter4 ,the color should be bright and the surface free from smut or spots4 ,the term pickler is applied to the onion just above sets in size1 or1 in other words1 one-half to three-fourths of an inch in diameter4 ,the term boiler1 or stewer1 is applied to the size next larger than picklers1 which are too small for sale as standard onions1 or from three-fourths of an inch to #a-a_/d inches in diameter4 ,varieties ,used for ,sets4--,seed of almost any variety of onion may be used for the production of sets1 but a greater demand exists for the distinctly yellow1 white1 and red colors4 ,in the trade the sets are recognized by their color rather than by actual varietal names4 ,the demand for the yellow and the white sets is greater than for the red1 and those of the globular type are generally preferred4 ,onion sets are sometimes grown from left-over seed1 in which case a large number of varieties may be included4 ,in the principal set-growing districts1 where the seed has been locally grown for many years1 the varieties are more or less distinct from those of seedsmen's catalogues4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee1 #ced1 #dcd2 ,ariz4 ,e4 ,s4 ,cir4 #ge2 ,colo4 ,e4 ,s4 #ha1 ,cir4 #e2 ,n4 ,mex4 ,e4 ,s4 #eb1 #gd2 ,oreg4 ,e4 ,s4 #gd2 ,n4 ,y4 ,e4 ,s4 #bjf2 ,u4 ,id4 ,e4 ,s4 #bb2 ,n4 ,dak4 ,e4 ,s4 #ab2 ,s4 ,dak4 #dg2 ,mich4 ,e4 ,s4 #f2 ,kans4 ,e4 ,s4 #gj47 ,,parsley4 ,after soaking the seeds of parsley for a few hours in warm water1 they may be sown in the same manner as celery seed and the plants transplanted to the open ground4 ,at the ,north1 parsley will live over winter in a cold frame or pit1 and in the ,south it will thrive in the open ground during the winter1 but it can not withstand the heat of summer4 ,the plants should be set in rows #ab inches apart and every #d inches in the row4 ,the leaves of parsley are used for garnishings around meats and for flavoring soups4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee1 #bie2 ,n4 ,car4 ,e4 ,s4 #acb2 ,u4 ,id4 ,e4 ,s4 #aj47 ,,parsnip4 ,sow the seeds of parsnip as early as convenient in the spring in drills #ah inches to #c feet apart4 ,thin the plants to stand #c inches apart in the rows4 ,the parsnip requires a rich soil and frequent cultivation4 ,the roots can be dug late in the fall and stored in cellars or pits1 or allowed to remain where grown and dug as required for use4 ,it is considered best to allow the roots to become frozen in the ground1 as the freezing improves their flavor4 ,as soon as the roots begin to grow the following spring they will no longer be fit for use4 ,all roots not used during the winter should be dug and removed from the garden1 as they will produce seed the second season and become of a weedy nature4 ,when the parsnip has been allowed to run wild the root is considered to be poisonous4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee1 #bie2 ,mich4 ,e4 ,s4 #bj2 ,u4 ,id4 ,e4 ,s4 #aj2 ,n4 ,car4 ,e4 ,s4 #acb47 ,,peas4 ,garden peas require a rather rich and friable soil with good drainage in order that the first plantings may be made early in the spring4 ,fertilizers that are high in nitrogenous matter should not be applied to the land immediately before planting1 as they will have a tendency to produce too great growth of vines at the expense of pods4 ,land that has been well manured the previous year will be found satisfactory without additional fertilizer4 ,a sandy loam is to be preferred for growing peas1 but a good crop may be produced on clay soils2 however1 the pods will be a few days later in forming4 ,peas are easily grown and form one of the most palatable of garden products4 ,for the best results peas should be planted in the bottom of a furrow #f inches in depth and the seeds covered with not more than #b or #c inches of soil4 ,if the soil is heavy the covering should be less than #b inches4 ,after the plants attain a height of #d or #e inches the soil should be worked in around them until the trench is filled4 ,the rows for peas should be #c feet apart for the dwarf sorts and #d feet apart for the tall kinds4 ,a pint of seed will plant about #ajj feet of single row4 ,many growers follow the practice of planting in a double row with a #f-;inch space between4 ,the double-row method is especially adapted for the varieties that require some form of support1 as a trellis can be placed between the two rows4 ,brush stuck in the ground will answer for a support for the peas to climb upon4 ,three-foot poultry netting makes a desirable trellis4 ,if peas are planted for autumn use1 the earliest varieties should be employed4 ,the first plantings should be of such varieties as ,alaska or ,gradus1 which make a small but quick growth1 and may or may not be provided with supports4 ,the dwarf sorts like ,american ,wonder come on later1 require very little care1 and produce peas of fine quality4 ,the tall-growing sorts of the ,telephone type are desirable for still later use on account of their large production and excellent quality4 ,sugar peas have tender pods and if gathered very young the pods may be eaten in the same manner as snap beans4 ,in order to maintain a continuous supply of fresh peas1 plantings should be made every ten days or two weeks during the spring months1 beginning as soon as the ground can be worked4 ,in the extreme ,south peas may be grown during the entire winter4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,n4 ,c4 ,e4 ,s4 #acb2 ,mich4 ,e4 ,s4 #bj1 #aij2 ,s4 ,dak4 ,e4 ,s4 #he1 #ia2 ,del4 ,e4 ,s4 #da2 ,colo4 ,e4 ,s4 #agb47 ,,peppers4 ,plant the seed of peppers in a hotbed1 and transplant to the open ground as soon as it is warm1 or sow the seeds in the garden after all danger of frost is past4 ,when grown in the garden the plants should be in rows #c feet apart and #ae to #ah inches apart in the row4 ,the plants require about the same treatment as the tomato4 ,peppers are divided into two classes--the sweet varieties1 which are eaten as vegetables1 and the pickling varieties1 which are used for pickles or dried and powdered1 in which form they are much used in ,mexico4 ,of the sweet peppers the varieties ,sweet ,mountain1 ,ruby ,king1 and ,large ,bell are good standard varieties2 and of the pickling peppers1 the ,cayennes and ,chilies are largely used4 ,the pickling varieties are all more or less pungent and should never be prepared with bare hands1 because the burning sensation is very difficult to eliminate4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,b4 ,p4 ,i4 #f2 ,p4 ,rico #g2 ,iowa1 ,e4 ,s4 #dg2 ,n4 ,c4 ,e4 ,s4 #acb47 ,,physalis4 ,the physalis is also known as the ground-cherry or husk-tomato4 ,sow the seed in a hotbed or cold frame and transplant to the garden after danger of frost is past1 or the seeds may be sown in the row where the plants are to remain and thinned to #ab or #ah inches4 ,no particular care is required except to keep them free from weeds4 ,there are a large number of varieties of the physalis1 and the fruits vary in size and color4 ,the variety commonly used in gardens produces a bright-yellow fruit1 which is about the size of an ordinary cherry4 ,toward fall the fruits will drop to the ground and will be protected for some time by their husks4 ,if gathered and placed in a cool place the fruits will keep for a long time4 ,the physalis will self-sow and may become a weed1 but it is easily controlled4 ,a few of the volunteer plants may be lifted in the spring and placed in rows instead of making a special sowing of seed4 ,ten plants will produce all the husk-tomatoes desired by the average family4 ,the fruits are excellent for making preserves and marmalade4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,s4 ,dak4 ,e4 ,s4 #fh47 ,,potato4 ,the term potato1 when not modified by an adjective1 suggests to the mind of an ,american the so-called potato 7,solanum tuberosum74 ,when the name is modified by the word sweet1 reference is made to a different plant1 belonging to the morning-glory family and known botanically as ,ipomoea batatas4 ,attention is here directed entirely to the ,irish potato4 ,soil and ,rotation4--,the potato is grown in every ,state and ,territory1 and naturally on a great variety of soils4 ,indeed1 it has been grown on nearly every class of soils1 but this fact does not minimize the importance of selecting for the potato the kind of soil best adapted to it4 ,the ideal soil for this crop should be one so light as to offer no great resistance to the enlargement of the tubers1 so supplied with organic matter as to be rather moist without being wet1 and so rich as to furnish an unfailing supply of fertilizing ingredients4 ,a rich1 sandy loam abundantly supplied with organic matter and naturally well drained is preferable4 ,stiffer soils may be rendered suitable for the potato by drainage and by the incorporation of farm manures2 or better1 by plowing under green crops4 ,very heavy clay should be avoided if the farm contains any lighter soil4 ,recently cleared ground suits the potato4 ,sandy soils1 if not too subject to drought1 may be fitted for this plant by the addition of organic matter4 ,it is claimed that potatoes grown on sandy land are of better quality than those grown on stiffer soil4 ,the potato requires a rich soil1 but even more important than natural fertility is a proper mechanical condition of the soil4 ,artificial fertilizers may be substituted in part for natural fertility1 but they are effective only when the soil is in such a condition as to furnish a constant supply of water4 ,the potato should have the best soil on the farm1 since it is more exacting in this respect than the other staple crops and since the product of an acre is generally of greater value4 ,the success of the potato is largely dependent on the crops preceding it in the rotation4 ,if clover1 cowpeas1 or other leguminous plant is grown just preceding potatoes1 its stubble furnishes organic matter and adds to the store of available nitrogen in the soil4 ,corn after sod frequently precedes potatoes1 and this is generally regarded as the best rotation4 ,rye is sometimes sown in late summer or fall and plowed under so as to lighten a heavy soil4 ,buckwheat and other plants have also been used for the same purpose4 ,on light soils and in rather mild climates1 crimson clover for green manuring may advantageously take the place of rye where early planting of potatoes is not specially desirable4 ,one year1 or at most two years1 is as long as a field should be devoted to continuous potato culture1 although this crop is sometimes grown for more than two years in succession on the same land4 ,this latter course taxes heavily the fertility of the soil and necessitates liberal manuring2 moreover it involves considerable risk of injury from fungous diseases1 especially from potato scab4 ,a clean crop of potatoes can not1 as a rule1 be grown on land which in the preceding year produced scabby tubers4 ,the germs of the disease once in the soil must be starved out by growing on the infected field other crops1 such as grass or grain1 for several years4 ,in certain localities in the central part of the ,united ,states and elsewhere the following three years' rotation has given highly satisfactory results on farms where potatoes are extensively grown2 ,fall wheat1 in which clover is seeded in the spring2 second year1 clover1 plowed under in fall or winter2 and third year1 potatoes4 ,in some localities the uncertainty in obtaining a catch of clover renders this rotation inexpedient4 ,detailed directions for the preparation of one class of soils would not apply to others1 hence it can only be said that preparation should be deep and thorough1 and that unnecessary compacting of the soil should be avoided4 ,plowing can scarcely be too deep1 provided that much of the subsoil is not brought to the surface2 when practicable1 the depth should be gradually increased from year to year4 ,though the tubers are usually formed within #f inches of the surface of the ground1 the roots feed deeper4 ,practical experience1 as well as the extent of the distribution of potato roots in the soil1 emphasize the importance of deep and thorough preparation of the soil for this crop4 ,whether fall plowing is advisable depends on a variety of local considerations4 ,in general in a mild climate fall plowing of light land exposes it to leaching2 on the other hand1 fall plowing is sometimes necessary1 as1 for example1 when a field is badly infested with injurious insects4 ,fertilizing4--,the potato requires liberal manuring4 ,barnyard manure usually affords a large increase in the crop1 for not only does it supply nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 but it improves the mechanical conditions of the soil4 ,however1 its direct application to the potato affords conditions favorable to potato diseases1 and thus injures the quality of the crop4 ,for this reason the best practice is to apply barnyard manure to corn or grass the year before the potatoes are grown4 ,if it is considered necessary to apply it directly to the potato crop it should first be well rotted4 ,if for several years before potatoes are planted the land has been properly manured with farm manures1 or with green crops plowed under1 commercial fertilizers can be advantageously used on most soils4 ,generally1 a complete fertilizer should be used--i4 e41 one which contains nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash4 ,the farmer is justified in supplying all three of these fertilizing ingredients1 unless by previous tests he has learned that on his soil a certain one of them can be safely omitted4 ,of nitrogenous fertilizers1 one of the best for potatoes is the quick-acting nitrate of soda4 ,of phosphatic fertilizers1 superphosphate is preferred4 ,among potash fertilizers the sulphate of potash has been found to afford a better quality of potato than kainit and muriate of potash4 ,ashes1 are extensively and effectively used to supply potash to potatoes4 ,as little farmyard manure is available in the ,southern ,states where the early crop of potatoes is chiefly produced1 this seldom enters as a factor in the production of the crop4 ,commercial fertilizers of a nature especially adapted to the potato crop form the chief reliance of the growers4 ,a fertilizer carrying #c to #d per cent of nitrogen1 #f to #h per cent of phosphoric acid1 and #h to #aj per cent of potash is used at the rate of #ejj to #a1ejj pounds to the acre1 depending upon the crop which is to follow the potato crop and the liberality of the grower4 ,the fertilizer may be applied broadcast if put on at the rate of #a1jjj pounds or more to the acre4 ,when less than #a1jjj pounds to the acre are used it is almost universally applied along the line of the row1 a furrow being opened for the reception of the fertilizer2 which is scattered by hand or by a distributor which can be used to fertilize several rows at a time4 ,after the fertilizer has been distributed1 a cultivator is run along the line of the rows to incorporate the fertilizer with the soil in order to prevent its coming in contact with the seed when planted4 ,sometimes the furrow is refilled and reopened prior to the planting of the seed1 so as to incorporate the fertilizer more completely with the soil4 ,still another plan is to open the furrow1 distribute about one-half the quantity of fertilizer to be used in the bottom1 incorporate it with the soil1 plant the potatoes1 partially cover them1 and scatter the remainder of the application on the seed bed above the seed4 ,planting4--,the rows should be laid off as close together as practicable without interfering with horse cultivation4 ,generally the seed pieces should be dropped in furrows made in the level field and not on ridges4 ,however1 low ridges are advantageous for an early crop and on poorly drained land4 ,in covering the seed pieces1 whether they are planted flat or on ridges1 it is well to leave a small1 sharp ridge marking the line of the row4 ,in some localities1 however1 where excessive moisture is not feared1 the opening furrows are only partially filled after planting1 leaving a depression along the row to be filled by the use of the smoothing harrow or other implement4 ,in planting late in the season this course is sometimes advisable4 ,the pieces may be dropped by hand in the open furrow1 or a potato planter may be used1 dropping and covering the seed pieces at one operation4 ,there are several potato planters that do very satisfactory work1 but their cost restricts their use to those who plant a large acreage in potatoes or to cases where several farmers can use one together4 ,their more extended use is perhaps desirable1 since they save a considerable amount of labor and enable the potato grower to take full advantage of even a brief period of favorable weather at planting time regardless of scarcity of labor4 ,in the preparation of the ground and in planting1 the earth along the line of the row should be compacted as little as possible consistent with thorough work1 and hence the team should be made to walk between the rows whenever possible instead of along the drill4 ,there is a simple potato coverer constructed somewhat like a triangular snowplow1 with the wide end forward and a portion of the point or apex cut away so as to leave a narrow opening at the rear4 ,no special implement1 however1 is required for this purpose4 ,planting ,machines4--,planting potatoes by hand on any large scale is out of the question on account of the expense4 ,the large potato grower can of course afford the most modern machinery4 ,in a community of small potato growers it is possible for them to own machinery jointly1 and thus avoid any large expense to the individual farmer4 ,the two most expensive machines connected with potato growing are the planter and the digger4 ,a word of caution about the type of planter is perhaps desirable4 ,there are some planters which pick up the seed potatoes by means of a prong or fork which breaks the skin of the tuber4 ,this exposes the potato to any germs of potato diseases which may be present in the soil4 ,furthermore1 it carries any germ disease that may be on some of the seed potatoes to others4 ,there are planters which pick up the potatoes in such a way as not to break the skin4 ,this point is especially important in planting whole seed4 ,in planting cut seed there is still the danger of transferring the disease from one piece of potato to another4 ,whatever planter may be used1 some one should ride on the machine in order to see that it works regularly1 so as to give as nearly a perfect stand as possible4 ,the improved planters of today open the furrow1 drop the seed1 cover it1 firm the dirt over the seed1 and mark the next furrow4 ,such a planter is drawn by two horses4 ,experiments with potatoes planted in rows all the way from #cf to #db inches apart indicate that the best distance depends upon the seasonal conditions and type of soil2 it is a problem for each grower to solve for himself4 ,the distance apart the potatoes should be planted in the row also depends so much upon the variety1 the fertility of the soil1 the availability of water1 etc41 that each farmer must determine this from his own experience4 ,time of ,planting4--,each community is the best judge of the proper date for planting4 ,where potatoes are grown for the early market the aim is to plant as early as possible1 without subjecting the young plants to severe cold4 ,the crop should be planted at such a date as to bring the stage of growth during which the tubers are rapidly developing at a time when there is ordinarily an adequate supply of moisture4 ,the month when dry weather is most certain varies with the locality1 and each potato grower should so time his planting as to be least affected by drought4 ,where the growing season is long the crop that is to be stored over winter should be planted very late1 so that it may remain in the ground until cool weather4 ,on the other hand1 where the season is short1 late varieties should be planted in time to ripen before frost4 ,depth of ,planting4--,the ,toots of a young potato plant grow1 not directly from the seed piece1 but from the underground joints or nodes of the stem4 ,from these underground nodes also grow the short stems which bear the tubers at their extremities4 ,hence the seed pieces should be placed deep enough in the soil to permit several of these joints to form below the surface1 so as to afford room for an ample supply of roots and tuber-bearing stems to grow4 ,many experiments have been made to ascertain the best depth for planting4 ,the results1 with some exceptions1 favor planting not less than #d inches deep4 ,the favorable effects of deep planting were especially marked on well-prepared1 friable soil and in dry seasons4 ,very deep planting is open to objection because of the increased labor of harvesting and the danger of a deficient stand when weather conditions are unfavorable4 ,very shallow planting reduces the yield and injures the quality of the crop4 ,growing ,seed ,potatoes ,under ,mulch4--,the ,nebraska ,experiment ,station reported an interesting comparison of the value for seed purposes of potatoes grown under mulch with those grown with ordinary cultivation under like conditions1 which indicates that the mulch method offers a convenient and practical means of producing good home-grown seeds under ,nebraska conditions4 ,the theory of the method and the results obtained in the comparative tests are thus stated3 ,potatoes are a cool-weather crop4 ,it is because of this that they succeed so well in the far north4 ,moreover1 potatoes require for their best development fairly uniform conditions1 especially as regards soil moisture and soil temperature4 ,this being the case1 why should not potatoes grown under a litter mulch be especially well developed and therefore make strong seed8 ,the soil beneath a mulch not only has a moderately low temperature during summer1 but its temperature is also exceptionally uniform1 varying not more than a degree or two between day and night and only a few degrees from day to day4 ,the soil moisture beneath a good mulch is also more abundant and much more nearly uniform in amount than in case of bare ground1 even though the latter is given good tillage4 ,the value for seed purposes of tubers grown under a litter mulch has been tested during two seasons at the experiment station4 ,in #aijd a plat of potatoes was mulched with straw and an adjoining plat was given careful cultivation4 ,the soil of the two plats was practically uniform and the seed planted on the two plats was taken from the same lot of tubers4 ,seed was saved from the mulched and cultivated plats separately1 kept under the same conditions during winter1 planted on adjoining plats in the spring of #aije1 and given identical cultivation during the summer4 ,in #aijf the experiment was repeated with seed grown in mulched and in cultivated ground the year before4 ,the same precautions were observed as in the first test4 ,uniform seed was used to start with in #aije4 ,the seed saved from the mulched and from the cultivated plats was taken as it came1 without selection1 and was kept over winter under the same conditions4 ,both kinds of seed were cut in the same way1 planted in the same way1 on adjoining plats1 and treated alike as regards tillage1 spraying1 etc4 ,under these conditions any constant differences in yield between the two plats must be ascribed to the effect of the methods of culture employed the previous season4 ,the yields obtained from the mulched and from the cultivated seed were as follows3 ,cultivated seed1 #chd pounds in #aije2 mulched seed1 #efc pounds in #aije2 cultivated seed1 #abc pounds in #aijf2 mulched seed1 #agd pounds in #aijf4 ,the use of seed that had been grown under a mulch the preceding year increased the yield of potatoes #dg per cent in #aije and #da per cent in #aijf4 ,if further tests confirm the results reported here1 it would seem that mulching might be used for the production of high-grade seed potatoes at home4 ,moreover1 mulching usually results in increased yields if properly handled4 ,mulching potatoes on a large scale is of course impracticable1 but most farmers could easily mulch enough of their potato field to produce the seed that they would require the following year1 and in doing so they would not necessarily increase the cost of production per bushel4 ,time to ,cut ,seed ,potatoes4--,at least three ,american experiment stations have conducted tests to learn the effect of cutting seed potatoes several days or weeks in advance of planting4 ,the results varied somewhat according to the length of time that the cut sets remained unplanted1 but on the whole indicated no marked difference in productiveness between planting freshly cut pieces and those that had been cut for a week or less4 ,the investigations of ,kraus and of ,wollny in ,germany led to the conclusion that a slight wilting of the seed pieces increased the yield on moist soils and in wet seasons1 but reduced it on soils not retentive of water and in dry seasons4 ,on the whole it appears that the storing of cut pieces for several days1 which sometimes becomes necessary1 is attended with no great disadvantages4 ,of course due care should be taken in such instances to prevent heating1 and it may be well to dust the cuttings with gypsum 7land plaster7 to prevent excessive wilting4 ,seed ,end v4 ,stem ,end4--,when potatoes are cut in half through their smaller diameter there is a seed or bud end more or less crowded with eyes and a stem or butt end on which there are few eyes4 ,experiments to determine the relative values of cuttings from the stem end and from the seed end of the tuber have been numerous4 ,the majority of these showed that the yield was greater when the seed end was used4 ,the superior productiveness of the seed end as compared with the stem end was maintained1 whether the halves of the potatoes1 the thirds1 or smaller cuttings were employed4 ,effect of sprouting4--,the growth of sprouts before planting is made at the expense of the tubers from which they draw their support4 ,hence if these shoots are rubbed off before planting there is a total loss of the nutriment contained in them4 ,moreover1 numerous weak shoots grow from the injured eye4 ,to prevent these evil consequences of premature sprouting1 seed potatoes are stored in a dark1 dry1 cool place4 ,in spite of all precautions the tubers sometimes sprout2 but when practicable only potatoes that have not sprouted should be selected for planting4 ,if the eyes appear dormant in spring1 seed potatoes may be exposed to the light and warmth for a few days before planting so as to promote germination and prompt growth4 ,if long exposed1 sprouts will form and careful cutting and planting by hand become necessary1 so as to avoid breaking of these sprouts4 ,quantity of ,seed ,potatoes per ,acre4--,a bushel of potatoes 7#fj pounds7 may contain #bdj quarter-pound tubers4 ,when the seed pieces are planted a foot apart in #c-;foot rows an acre requires #ad1ebj sets4 ,when tubers averaging #d ounces are employed an acre requires at these distances #fj bushels for planting whole potatoes1 #cj bushels when halves are used1 and #ae bushels when quarters are planted4 ,in a number of tests the amount of seed cut to #b eyes1 spaced #a by #c feet1 averaged #ac bushels per acre1 the usual range being from #aj to #ad bushels4 ,in #ah experiments with many varieties the average amount of seed cut to single eyes was at these distances #f4c bushels per acre1 the usual range being from #e to #g bushels1 though the varieties with large tubers bearing few eyes required considerably more seed4 ,size of ,seed ,pieces4--,in the size of the seed piece planted the practice of different farmers varies widely1 some advocating a liberal use of seed and others claiming equally good results from small cuttings4 ,to aid in settling this question the ,state agricultural experiment stations have made numerous tests of seed pieces of different sizes4 ,taken separately these experiments show certain amount of divergence in results1 as might naturally be expected of tests conducted under widely different conditions4 ,however1 the majority of these tests1 and especially the figures expressing the average results of all available ,american experiments1 may be safely taken as indications of what the farmer1 under ordinary conditions1 will generally1 but not always obtain4 ,the effect of size of seed pieces on yield of crop will be treated here under three distinct heads3 7#a7 ,on the total yield2 7#b7 on the gross yield of salable potatoes1 and 7#c7 on the net yield of salable potatoes1 i4 e41 after deducting the amount of seed planted4 ,effect on ,total ,yield4--,in making up the averages below it was found practicable to use the results of #ai tests of single eyes v4 #b-;eye pieces1 #d tests of #b-;eye cuttings v4 quarters1 #ag comparisons of quarters and halves1 and #dd tests of halves v4 whole potatoes4 ,the results of other experiments less completely reported were used for the purpose of corroboration4 ,the following table shows the average results of these tests1 including potatoes of all sizes3 ,bushels4 ,per cent4 ,excess from use of-- #b-;eye pieces over #a-;eye pieces #bf #ba ,quarters over #b-;eye pieces #ae #af ,halves over quarters #bd #ah ,whole tubers over halves #ca #ah ,if there are compared all the total yields with the total yield produced by single eyes there appears an increase of #ba per cent for #b-;eye pieces1 #da per cent for quarters1 #fg per cent for halves1 and #if per cent for entire tubers4 ,the total yield resulting from planting whole potatoes is practically double that obtained by planting single eyes4 ,thus far there is considered only the total yield1 i4 e41 large and small potatoes1 and it is found that the total yield increases somewhat uniformly as the size of the seed piece is increased4 ,the farmer and gardener1 however1 have to consider other factors than the total yield1 for a heavy crop may consist very largely of tubers too small for the market1 or the great expenditures for seed when large pieces are planted may more than counterbalance the increased yield4 ,before noting the gross and net yields of large or salable tubers1 resulting from seed pieces of different sizes1 it is well to consider the causes inducing a somewhat regular increase in total yield accompanying the use of larger seed pieces4 ,several causes operate to increase the yield when large seed pieces are planted4 ,the larger the cutting the greater generally the number of eyes and the number of stalks4 ,the young shoot1 before it develops a strong system of feeding roots1 is dependent for nutriment on the material stored up in the seed piece2 hence the more abundant this supply the more vigorous the growth of the plant and this increased luxuriance is not confined to the early stages of growth1 but is marked throughout the growing season4 ,investigation has shown that severing the connection between the seed piece and the growing vine1 even after the latter is thoroughly rooted1 reduces the yield of potatoes4 ,the danger of partial or entire failure resulting from an imperfect stand is much greater with small cuttings than with large seed pieces4 ,the small pieces with extensive cut surfaces are liable to perish should the season be unfavorable1 either through excessive moisture or drought4 ,the sprouts from small cuttings being weaker reach the surface with difficulty1 or fail entirely on soil not properly prepared4 ,effect on ,gross ,salable ,yield4--,by averaging the results of the experiments referred to above1 it is found that the actual increase in the potatoes of salable size due to using larger seed pieces was as follows1 every increase in the size of the seed pieces being followed by an increased gross salable yield3 ,bushels4 ,per cent4 ,excess from use of-- #b-;eye pieces over #a-;eye pieces #bc #ba ,quarters over #b-;eye pieces #aj #ae ,halves over quarters #ae #ae ,whole tubers over halves #ad #aj ,effect on ,net ,salable ,crop4--,before concluding that the largest seed pieces are the most profitable it becomes necessary to deduct from the crop the amount of seed planted4 ,it is plain that the increased amount of seed potatoes required when larger pieces are used may more than counterbalance the increase in yield obtained4 ,the true test of profit is the market value of the crop produced1 less the cost of seed planted4 ,should the quantity of seed potatoes used be subtracted from the total yield of large and small potatoes or from the salable crop8 ,if small or unsalable seed potatoes are planted1 then the former course is the proper one1 but since large or medium tubers 7either entire or cut7 are generally selected for seed purposes1 it seems best to subtract the seed from the salable crop1 thus ascertaining the net salable yield4 ,the following table shows the actual average results for the net salable yield2 that is1 the crop after deducting the small potatoes and the seed used3 ,bushels4 ,per cent4 ,excess from use of-- #b-;eye pieces over #a-;eye pieces #ae4j #ad ,quarters over #b-;eye pieces #g4j #ae ,halves over quarters #e4j #f ,halves over whole tubers #h4e #h ,the amount of the net salable crop rose with the increase in the size of the cutting employed1 but when the whole potato was planted the figures declined on account of the large amount of seed potatoes which had to be deducted4 ,the above figures indicate a very slight advantage in planting halves rather than quarters when the price of seed and crop produced are the same4 ,as a matter of fact1 spring prices are usually somewhat higher than fall prices4 ,a high price for seed potatoes may make it profitable to plant smaller pieces 7as1 for example1 quarters7 than would be economical where seed and crop command the same price per bushel4 ,amount of ,seed ,potatoes4--,in the following diagram #ajj represents the total yield from planting single eyes4 ,the figures may be read as bushels per acre1 if it is constantly borne in mind that there are being considered soils of such character as to average #ajj bushels of large and small potatoes per acre when planted with #a-;eye pieces4 ,the first group answers the question1 ,what size of seed piece generally affords the largest yield of large and small potatoes8 ,the second group answers the query3 ,what size of seed piece generally gives the greatest yield exclusive of small potatoes8 ,the third group offers an answer to a still more important question3 ,what size of seed piece generally produces the largest yield after deducting both the small potatoes and the amount of seed planted8 ,yield from planting different seed pieces1 assuming #ajj as the total yield from single eyes4 ,,relative ,,total ,,yield4 #a eye44444444444 #ajj #b eyes4444444444 #aba ,quarters44444444 #ada ,halves4444444444 #afg ,wholes4444444444 #aif ,,relative ,,gross ,,salable ,,yield4 #a eye44444444444 #hg #b eyes4444444444 #aje ,quarters44444444 #abc ,halves4444444444 #adb ,wholes4444444444 #aeg ,,relative ,,net ,,salable ,,yield4 #a eye44444444444 #hc #b eyes4444444444 #ie ,quarters44444444 #aji ,halves4444444444 #aae ,wholes4444444444 #ajg ,taking as the correct measure of profit the yield of salable potatoes less the amount of seed used1 there is seen by the third section of the diagram that with seed and crop at the same price per bushel it was more profitable in these tests to plant halves than smaller cuttings and whole potatoes4 ,if there be taken account of the yield of small potatoes the advantage of large seed pieces is even greater than the figures in the last section of the diagram would indicate1 for the yield of small potatoes is greater with large than with small seed pieces4 ,where large quantities of small potatoes can be profitably utilized1 as1 for example1 as seed for the second crop1 the potato planter may therefore use quite large seed pieces with advantage4 ,on the other hand1 the higher price of potatoes in spring rather than in fall is an argument in favor of planting quarters rather than halves or whole tubers4 ,a number of investigators have noted that large seed pieces 7either large cuttings or entire potatoes7 afford an earlier crop than very small cuttings1 a matter of much interest to growers of early potatoes4 ,however1 some growers have reported that uncut potatoes germinate more slowly than large cuttings4 ,most of those who raise potatoes for the early market use large cuttings rather than whole potatoes4 ,in this connection it may be said that the seed-end half gives an earlier crop than the other half4 ,this suggests the expediency of cutting a potato lengthwise when halves or quarters are to be planted1 thus securing on each piece one or more of the eyes which germinate first4 ,another advantage of cutting lengthwise is that it insures a more even distribution of the eyes on the several pieces4 ,of course this system is not practicable when very small cuttings are to be made from long1 slender potatoes1 since the large amount of exposed surface would render the long pieces susceptible to injury both from moisture and dryness4 ,if it is desired to cut the potato into small pieces the operator should begin at the stem end1 and the pieces should be cut in a compact shape1 and of as nearly equal size as is practicable without leaving any piece entirely devoid of eyes4 ,there are special implements for cutting potatoes1 and their use is reported as enabling a man to cut four or five times as many bushels of seed per day as by hand4 ,the character of the work is said to be satisfactory4 ,no definite rule can be given as to the best size of seed piece1 for this depends somewhat on the distance between the hills and on the character of the soil and season4 ,another important factor in determining the proper amount of seed is variety4 ,some varieties are able to produce a crop almost as large from small cuttings as from large pieces4 ,size of ,seed ,tubers4--,a study of more than a hundred experiments testing the relative values of large1 medium1 and small uncut tubers confirms the general law that an increase in the weight of seed planted affords an increase in the total crop4 ,the yield of salable potatoes increases less rapidly than the total yield4 ,with whole potatoes as seed the salable yield reached its extreme upward limit in one test when tubers weighing about half a pound were planted2 in another when those weighing #d-a_/b ounces were employed4 ,the limit of profitable increase was reached with tubers weighing #d-a_/b and #c ounces respectively4 ,the size of seed tubers selected becomes a matter of importance when they are to be cut1 for we have seen that the heavier the cutting the larger the total yield1 and seed tubers for cutting should be of such size that their halves1 quarters1 or other divisions shall not be extremely small4 ,small ,potatoes for ,planting4--,whether or not to use uncut small potatoes for seed is an important question on which farmers are divided4 ,some present the plausible argument that the use of undersized potatoes results in degeneration4 ,if this claim is based on the results of experience it should determine practice1 but if the conclusion is simply a generalization based on the fact that large seed usually give best results the reasoning is defective1 and the question remains open4 ,the potato tuber is not a seed1 but an underground stem1 and the relations existing between seeds and their progeny do not necessarily exist between a tuber and its descendants4 ,others hold that potatoes just below marketable size1 if shapely and sufficiently mature1 may be used without serious deterioration1 and that for economic reasons their use is especially desirable1 because if not planted or used at home they must be lost or fed to stock1 for which purpose their value is usually smaller than the market price4 ,the result of tests at a number of experiment stations have uniformly indicated that small tubers uncut can be used for seed purposes without detriment to the succeeding crop4 ,it may still be urged1 however1 that the choice of small seed year after year will result in degeneration4 ,on this question the information is meager1 but two experiments1 extending over four and eight years1 respectively1 have been reported in which no degeneration resulting from the continued use of small potatoes from the preceding crop was apparent4 ,although the evidence seems fairly conclusive that small uncut seed potatoes may sometimes be used with profit1 it cannot be advised that small seed tubers be selected year after year from a crop which has been grown from small potatoes4 ,potatoes of irregular shape and injured tubers should be rejected as unfit for planting4 ,number of ,eyes and ,weight per ,set4--,many potato growers cut tubers into pieces containing one1 two1 or more eyes1 laying greater stress on the number of eyes than on the size of the cutting4 ,extensive experiments at the ,indiana station and elsewhere prove that of the two factors1 number of eyes and weight of piece1 the latter is the more important4 ,of course it is desirable that each piece1 whether large or small1 should contain at least one eye1 and it has been generally profitable for it to be of such size as to contain at least several eyes2 but whether it has one or many eyes it is important that the seed piece be heavy enough to furnish abundant nutriment to the shoots which spring from it4 ,a single eye may give rise to several stalks1 for each eye is a compound bud or cluster of buds4 ,an eye can be bisected1 and each half may then grow successfully if it is not a victim to dryness or decay1 to which its exposed condition subjects it4 ,in one series of experiments it was found that the number of stalks growing in a hill was less dependent on the number of eyes than on the size of the seed piece1 whether cut or entire4 ,in general1 as the number of eyes per piece increased each eye became less prolific in sending up stalks1 so that there was less crowding of stalks where large seed pieces with many eyes were used than would be expected from the large number of eyes planted4 ,after numerous experiments touching on almost every aspect of this subject the investigator advised that tubers be cut so as to make each piece of a constant size or weight1 whatever the number of eyes that might fall to its share4 ,cuttings per ,hill4--,a custom not uncommon among those who plant small cuttings is to drop two pieces in each hill4 ,they usually get a larger yield by so doing than by planting single pieces1 the increase generally1 though not always1 being sufficient to pay for the excess of seed4 ,this does not prove the practice profitable1 for better results may be secured by planting a single piece weighing as much as the combined weight of the two pieces which would have been dropped in one hill4 ,thus the labor of cutting is considerably reduced and1 what is more important1 larger pieces improve the chances of getting a good stand in an unfavorable season1 because they have less exposed surface than two small pieces of equivalent weight1 hence are less liable to dry out excessively when drought follows planting4 ,they are also better able to resist rotting if wet weather prevails4 ,stalks per ,hill4--,the most common objection urged against planting large seed pieces is1 next to the expense1 the danger of having the hills so crowded with stalks1 and consequently with tubers1 that a large proportion of the potatoes never develop to marketable size4 ,this objection is probably valid for entire tubers1 and also for halves planted very close in the row4 ,the evidence available does not permit us to conclude that in the case of quarters used as seed there results any injurious crowding1 and it may be questioned whether halves give rise to this trouble when planted under favorable conditions and at considerable distance apart4 ,the number of stalks that can be advantageously grown in each hill varies greatly with variety1 season1 soil1 and distance apart4 ,distance ,between ,plants4--,in deciding on the proper distance at which to plant potatoes it is necessary to take into consideration the size of the seed piece that is to be employed4 ,in general1 small seed pieces should be planted close and the distance allotted to each hill should be greater as the weight of the piece is increased4 ,close planting for small cuttings is best attained1 not by narrowing the row to less than about #b-a_/b or #c feet 7for if the distance is much less horse cultivation becomes difficult71 but by planting the seed pieces close together in the row4 ,to frame a general rule giving best distances for seed pieces of different sizes is plainly impossible1 for the distance at which the largest yields is obtained depends also on the variety1 the season1 the soil1 and the fertilizers4 ,however1 the results of some of the investigations covering this matter afford help in deciding on the proper distance under varying conditions4 ,it has been shown that if very small cuttings are used1 and if the soil is fertile1 the distance can be reduced to #f or #i inches without sacrificing the yield1 provided the season happens to be favorable1 but this is not generally advisable4 ,on rich soil cuttings of considerable size can be advantageously planted as close as #ab inches4 ,checking effects a saving of labor in cultivation1 and also in planting and harvesting1 when these latter operations are performed by hand2 hence expensive labor and the absence of machines for planting and harvesting the crop are conditions in favor of checking4 ,for planting in checks a variety can be chosen which makes a large growth of vines and which forms many tubers in each hill1 thus more completely utilizing the space at its disposal than could a variety with small vines and few tubers4 ,in checking there is danger on rich soil that some of the tubers may grow to an objectionable size4 ,potato growers in attempting to obtain a phenomenal yield1 as in contests for prizes1 almost universally plant in drills rather than in hills1 and place the seed pieces from #h to #ae inches apart4 ,the advocates of planting in drills claim that by this method a larger yield can be obtained1 and experience seems to confirm the correctness of this view4 ,the few experiments that have been made on this question are not entirely conclusive1 though the majority of them favor drills4 ,although no fixed rule regarding distance of planting can be given1 the following general considerations are widely applicable3 7#a7 ,for maximum yield of salable potatoes plant in rows as narrow as can be conveniently cultivated4 7#b7 ,crowd small seed pieces close together in the row1 increasing the distance with every increase in the size of the seed piece2 avoid on the one hand such close planting as to greatly reduce the average weight of the tubers1 and on the other such wide spacing as to leave any considerable portion of the soil unshaded by the full-grown vines4 7#c7 ,as a rule1 the richer the land the less the required distance between sets4 7#d7 ,varieties with strong growth of vines or which set many tubers in a hill should have greater distance between plants than is necessary with less vigorous varieties4 ,cultivation4--,soon after planting1 and again just as the young plants are beginning to appear above ground1 the field should be harrowed1 inclining the teeth of the harrow backward4 ,this is a cheap method of cultivation1 since a wide space is covered4 ,it is also effective in destroying small weeds1 in leveling the ridges left in planting1 in preventing the formation of a surface crust1 and in keeping the land covered with a mulch of dry earth1 thus conserving moisture within the soil below4 ,subsequent cultivation should be frequent so as to accomplish these same ends4 ,almost any pattern of cultivator may be used1 provided it is made to do shallow work4 ,however1 if the ground has become packed the first cultivation may be deeper4 ,experience and exact experiments generally favor flat or nearly flat cultivation4 ,excessive hilling during cultivation intensifies the injurious effects of dry weather4 ,it also results in breaking many of the feeding roots between the rows4 ,the frequent use of the cultivator should be substituted as far as possible for hoeing4 ,if a severe frost is apprehended soon after the plants come up1 the tops should be covered by throwing a furrow to each row4 ,mulching4--,while mulching with hay1 straw1 leaves1 or other litter frequently increases the yield and is specially valuable in tiding over a season of drought1 it is not generally practicable on farms where potatoes are grown on a large scale4 ,its place is in the garden rather than in the field4 ,it is a substitute for cultivation1 and it is generally cheaper to maintain a soil mulch by frequent cultivation than to apply litter4 ,if a mulch is employed1 it can be applied over the entire surface or in the furrow above the seed pieces1 or between the rows4 ,mulching in the furrow is not commended by the results of tests in ,colorado1 ,louisiana1 and ,michigan4 ,in striving for a large yield1 with little regard to cost1 or to insure against drought1 mulching is useful4 ,material intended to serve as a mulch should first be exposed to the weather1 so as to cause the sprouting of any seed it may contain4 ,it is better to apply a mulch after potato plants have made some growth1 as an earlier application may result in smothering some plants and in injury from late frosts4 ,harvesting and ,storing4--,the death of the vines is the signal for digging the main crop4 ,for the early market potato growers do not wait for this1 but are governed by the size of the tubers4 ,as long as any portion of the vine is green the tubers can continue to grow4 ,in gardens very early potatoes are sometimes obtained by carefully removing a few of the larger tubers from the growing plant1 replacing the soil and allowing the smaller potatoes to continue growing 7grabbing74 ,the large amount of labor required prohibits grabbing except when early potatoes are selling at a price very much higher than can be expected from the later crop4 ,in harvesting a large area a high-priced potato digger is frequently used2 hand digging with a four-tined fork is probably the best method on small areas1 though many make use of a potato hoe or of a plow4 ,careful handling always pays1 and extreme carefulness is necessary1 especially with the early crop1 to prevent injury to the tender skin of the immature potatoes4 ,in harvesting1 as well as in storage1 potatoes should be exposed to light as little as possible4 ,in storing potatoes a low temperature is required4 ,the potato tuber is uninjured by a temperature of #cc ,f41 and one authority gives the freezing temperature of potatoes #cj4b ,f4 ,warmth favors sprouting1 which injures potatoes both for planting and eating4 ,most of the farmers have potato houses or cellars constructed for storing their stock and holding the unsold portion of the crop through even the coldest weather until they can market it4 ,some growers1 especially those near town1 depend on the warehouses of the dealers alongside the railroad tracks4 ,the common type of storehouse on the farm is a cellar walled up with concrete or stonework1 about #h or #i feet deep1 with a low wooden roof above it1 giving a considerable space for the storage of tools1 barrels1 etc41 on the floor above the cellar portion4 ,these cellars are usually built on the side of a hill1 so that the potatoes are unloaded down through the floor in the fall and taken out at a lower doorway during the winter4 ,illustration3 ,photo by ,verne ,morton1 ,groton1 ,n4 ,y4 ,,thorough ,,cultivation ,,of ,,the ,,growing ,,crop ,,is ,,an ,,essential ,,of ,,successful ,,potato ,,raising ,grading4--,the grading of early potatoes is quite as important as the grading of fruits4 ,large and small tubers should not be mixed in the same barrel4 ,the pickers should be taught to gather the large and merchantable tubers in one basket and the small or seed potatoes in another1 and these if placed upon the market should go in separate receptacles and be clearly marked so as to represent the grade4 ,if a mechanical sorter is used this work will be more effectively accomplished than if left to the pickers4 ,the type of grader usually used is similar to that employed in some sections for grading apples and peaches1 although the common type of potato grader is a rotary screen which separates the earth from the tubers and allows the small tubers to fall through the large meshes of the screen before reaching the general outlet which carries away those of merchantable size4 ,the objection to a mechanical grader of this type is that it bruises the immature tubers and renders them somewhat less attractive than when not so handled and probably also shortens the length of time they can be safely held on the market4 ,marketing4--,the perishable nature of the immature potato renders it necessary to place it upon the market in such quantities only as will admit of immediate consumption4 ,producers in regions where the growing of early potatoes has been extensively developed appreciate this and have provided for this condition by organizing shippers' associations through which the crop is graded1 often trade-marked1 and distributed chiefly in carload lots4 ,the officers of the association being in constant telegraphic communication with the various markets are thus informed regarding the most satisfactory destination for every consignment which may be necessary4 ,it is the purpose of these associations1 however1 to conduct their business in such a way that the product can be sold f4 o4 b4 shipping point instead of by consignment1 and the best organized associations are usually able to do this4 ,the great advantage of such a system of selling is that it enables the brokers in a small city or town to buy direct from the producer instead of through another city broker4 ,it enables the consumer to obtain fresh products1 as they are shipped direct from the point of production to the place of consumption4 ,the plan carries other benefits which are of great moment to the producer4 ,he is enabled to sell in carload lots at shipping point1 thus saving to himself the cost of transportation1 which ranges from #g to #ae per cent of the gross selling price4 ,the exchange secures a much wider distribution of the crop1 with the result that overstocked markets are much less likely than under the consignment system4 ,transportation companies provide better service1 and claims are more promptly settled through the exchange than in the case of individuals4 ,this plan enables the producer to be his own salesman4 ,it transfers the distributing point from the city to the field1 where it should be4 ,it brings the market to the fields instead of the product to the market4 ,the exchange becomes the farmer's commission house1 and it is much easier to keep informed regarding the transactions of a home association than of a foreign concern4 ,varieties4--,the following are among the most widely known varieties3 ,early1 ,early ,ohio1 ,early ,rose1 ,beauty of ,hebron1 and ,triumph4 ,medium and late1 ,burbank1 ,rural ,new ,yorker ,no4 #b1 ,empire ,state1 ,mammoth ,pearl1 ,white ,star1 and ,dakota ,red4 ,these are standard varieties1 and though not necessarily the best1 they seem to have given general satisfaction4 ,second-,crop ,potatoes for ,seed at the ,south4--,within recent years there has been a marked increase in the use of second crop potatoes for seed throughout the southern potato-growing sections4 ,this crop is frequently grown on the same land from which the first crop of potatoes was harvested4 ,in most instances1 however1 it follows beans or cucumbers1 as the seed for this second potato crop is not usually planted until ,july or ,august4 ,the seed for this crop is1 as a rule1 saved from the early crop1 the small tubers being stored in a well-ventilated shed1 where they are protected from the direct action of the sun and from storms until about ten days or two weeks before the time of planting1 when they are spread thinly upon the ground and lightly covered with straw or litter to partially protect them from the sun4 ,under these conditions the tubers quickly green and all those suitable for seed will develop sprouts4 ,as soon as the sprouts are visible1 and before they are large enough to be rubbed off in handling1 the potatoes are ready to plant4 ,the product of this planting gives a crop of partially matured tubers which are held over winter for spring planting4 ,this practice gives excellent results in many localities and is found to be more economical than the purchase of northern-grown seed4 ,to what extent it is safe to follow this practice without renewing the seed from the ,north by the use of fully matured tubers has not been determined4 ,those following the method should carefully observe the quality and yield of the crop for the purpose of determining whether or not it is deteriorating under this treatment4 ,in general1 it is believed that it will be within the limits of good practice to secure every second or third year enough northern-grown seed to supply seed for the second crop2 in fact1 some of the most successful growers of potatoes who use second-crop seed get enough northern-grown seed each year to supply planting material for the second crop4 ,in this practice it will be economy to err on the side of safety and obtain fresh seed frequently from reliable northern sources4 ,in a majority of instances it is found that second-crop home-grown seed is slower to germinate and later in maturity than northern-grown seed1 and as quick development is an important element in the crop at the ,south1 growers are urged to consider this point carefully4 ,held-over ,seed4--,the consensus of opinion is that in southern localities it is impracticable to keep early potatoes from harvest time to the next season's planting period4 ,the conclusions of those who have given this problem careful study are that the exposure of the tubers to the sun at harvest time is the chief factor in determining their keeping qualities4 ,in other words1 it is possible to keep potatoes in the extreme ,south from season to season provided the tubers are not exposed to the sun after being dug4 ,they should be immediately carried to a protected place where there is ample ventilation and where they will receive only diffused light1 such as a cyclone or other cellar1 or the basement of a house1 or even where brush protection will prevent the sun shining directly upon them4 ,it is1 of course1 necessary that the tubers be well matured before being dug and that they be the product of disease-free plants4 ,plants killed by blight yield tubers which seldom keep well even under the most favorable conditions4 ,methods of ,securing ,extra-,early ,potatoes4--,one of the most important factors having an influence on the profitableness of market garden crops is that of earliness4 ,a difference of two or three days or a week in placing a crop on the market often makes the difference between profit and loss1 and the prices obtained for extra-early crops have stimulated cultural experiments with every kind of fruit and vegetables4 ,some interesting results along this line with potatoes have recently been reported by the ,kansas and ,rhode ,island stations4 ,at the ,kansas ,station seed tubers of four different varieties of medium-sized potatoes were placed in shallow boxes with the seed ends up in ,february4 ,they were packed in sand1 leaving the upper fourth of the tubers exposed1 and the boxes were placed in a room with rather subdued light1 having a temperature of #ej to #fj ,f4 ,vigorous sprouts soon pushed from the exposed eyes4 ,the whole potatoes were planted in furrows in ,march in the same position they occupied in the boxes4 ,the same varieties of potatoes taken from a storage cellar were planted in parallel rows4 ,the sand-sprouted potatoes took the lead from the start in vigor and strength of top and produced potatoes the first of ,june1 a week earlier than the storage-cellar potatoes4 ,at the final digging they showed better potatoes and gave a #aj per cent larger total yield4 ,in other experiments part of the potatoes was treated the same as in the first test1 except that the sand was kept moistened1 and the other part was placed in open boxes and kept in a light room having a temperature of #ej ,f4 ,the tubers placed in sand developed strong sprouts and nearly all rooted4 ,when planted in the field they outstripped both the tubers sprouted in open boxes and the storage-cellar tubers in vigor of growth4 ,the tubers started in the open boxes gave earlier yields than were obtained from the storage-cellar tubers1 but not as early as the tubers sprouted in moist sand4 ,the tubers sprouted in moist sand produced table potatoes from #g to #aj days earlier than the storage-cellar seed4 ,at the ,rhode ,island ,station medium-sized whole potatoes sprouted on racks1 in a fairly warm and light room1 gave a #bg per cent better yield at the first digging than potatoes kept in a cold cellar until planting time2 and this was increased to #dj per cent at the final digging4 ,the percentage of large tubers was also greater at each digging with the sprouted tubers4 ,the results of these experiments are suggestive4 ,the handling of seed potatoes in such manner as to secure strong1 stocky sprouts before the tubers are planted out is shown to be an important factor in increasing both the earliness and the total yield of the crop4 ,by planting only well-sprouted seed1 a full stand is assured4 ,one of the objections to this method of growing potatoes is the large amount of space required for exposing the tubers to the light for sprouting4 ,this objection has been overcome in part by the use of trays and racks4 ,at the ,rhode ,island ,station the rack used held #i trays4 ,each tray was #c-c_/d feet long and #a-a_/b feet wide1 and would hold about #a bushel of potatoes when spread out in a single layer for sprouting4 ,the bottoms of the trays were made of pieces of lath placed about #a inch apart4 ,nine trays were placed in a rack over each other1 leaving about #i inches of space between each tray4 ,this method of arrangement has the advantage of securing a very uniform distribution of light1 heat1 and air for all the trays4 ,it greatly facilitates the handling of the potatoes and lessens the danger of breaking off the sprouts and transferring to the field for planting4 ,another method of securing early potatoes in ,rhode ,island on a commercial scale is that of sprouting tubers in a cold frame and planting out as soon as danger of frost is past4 ,the tubers are cut into pieces1 not smaller than an ,english walnut1 after rejecting the two or three eyes nearest the stem end1 which have been found to start late4 ,the pieces are placed side by side in the bed1 skin side upward1 and covered about #d inches deep with fine1 rich earth4 ,their growth can be controlled by proper regulation of the cold-frame sash4 ,at planting time the tubers1 the sprouts of which should be just breaking the surface of the soil1 are carefully lifted with manure forks1 separated by hand1 and placed in well-fertilized rows1 and entirely covered with soil2 or1 if danger of frost is past1 they are placed with the apex of the sprout just at the surface of the soil4 ,about #baf square feet of cold frame is required to sprout sufficient potatoes to plant an acre in #cj to #cb inch rows1 #ab inches apart4 ,eight men can transplant an acre in a day4 ,on the ,island of ,jersey1 where early potatoes are raised in large quantities for the ,london market1 the potatoes destined for seed are placed side by side in shallow boxes and stored1 as soon as cold weather sets in1 in a light and well-sheltered loft or shed1 out of danger of frost4 ,the position of the boxes is changed from time to time so that the sprouts will be of equal length and strength at the planting season4 ,medium-sized tubers selected from the best of the crop and allowed to lie in the field in the fall until they become greenish are used4 ,potatoes on ,western ,irrigated ,farms4--,with thorough cultivation1 for potatoes planted the first of ,may1 irrigation is seldom necessary until ,july4 ,generally speaking irrigation water is cold and it is highly important not to irrigate too frequently1 since the water not only causes the soil to run together but lowers the temperature to a point that is not favorable to the growth of potatoes4 ,irrigation water is applied only when the condition of the plants indicates that they are in need of water1 as by darkening of the foliage4 ,or one may dig down in the hill and press a handful of soil in the hand2 if it fails to retain its form1 irrigation is needed4 ,care should be taken not to wait until the ground is too dry1 because one can not cover the whole field of potatoes in one day's irrigation1 and some are likely to suffer for water before being reached4 ,experience shows that if potatoes are grown as rapidly as possible1 so as to become strong and well established early in the season1 they withstand the maximum of unfavorable weather conditions later on1 when the hot dry winds becomes a menace to the crop4 ,when the time for irrigation arrives1 a ,v-shaped trench half-way between the rows should be opened in alternate middles with an #h or #aj inch lister plow2 that is1 a narrow plow with a double mold-board which throws the dirt each way4 ,in these furrows the irrigation water is run so that the soil will not become solidified by flooding1 and the necessary amount of water may be properly distributed4 ,for the second irrigation furrows are opened in the middles that were not opened at the first irrigation1 and this alternation is continued for succeeding irrigations4 ,at the head of each field is a feeder ditch from which the water is admitted to these irrigation furrows between the rows4 ,it is essential that the right quantity of water be used1 and that it be uniformly distributed4 ,cultivation should commence as soon after irrigation as the soil will permit so as to insure rapid and uniform growth without check4 ,this will not only result in the production of smooth1 uniform tubers of attractive appearance1 which are always in demand at high prices1 but will also result in large1 profitable yields and at the same time keep the soil in good mechanical condition for future crops4 ,do not irrigate after ,august #aj1 so as to give fifty or sixty days for ripening in dry earth4 ,there is no line of farming in the irrigated districts that gives such marvelous profits as that of scientific potato production4 ,with scientific knowledge which can certainly be acquired by experiments in supplying perfectly balanced plant food and maintaining soil fertility1 the scientific principles of which are similar to those used by every successful breeder in feeding and fitting prize-winning stock2 and with the proper proportions of plant foods--phosphates1 nitrogen1 and potash--in the soil as found in many parts of the ,west2 and by the use of clover and alfalfa1 there is no reason for those who contemplate engaging in the potato industry to fear the outcome4 ,too much stress can not be put upon the value and importance of livestock in keeping up favorable soil conditions1 as no country now known has been continuously successful in crop production without the use of manures from the feeding of forage and grain crops4 ,varieties4--,years of experience have demonstrated that comparatively few varieties of potatoes are really adapted to western or mountain conditions4 ,among the early varieties none has been so universally successful as the ,early ,ohio4 ,this potato is of fine quality and uniform in size and shape1 though not a heavy yielder4 ,another good potato1 though not so early1 is the ,rose ,seedling4 ,for a medium to late variety1 the ,dalmeny ,challenge1 a ,scotch variety1 is being used quite extensively on the western slope of ,colorado4 ,for later varieties1 the ,white ,pearl and ,rural ,new ,york ,no4 #b are more extensively used at ,greeley1 in the ,san ,luis ,valley1 and in the ,uncompahgre ,valley2 and the ,perfect ,peachblow is the favorite in the upper ,grand ,valley4 ,,pumpkin4 ,the true pumpkin is hardly to be considered as a garden crop1 and1 as a rule1 should be planted among the field corn4 ,plant where the hills of corn are missing and cultivate with the corn4 ,however1 some of the better sorts of pie pumpkins should be grown in the garden for cooking purposes1 because they are productive and much superior in quality to the common field pumpkins4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,mich ,e4 ,s4 #bj1 #aij47 ,,radish4 ,the radish is quite hardy and may be grown throughout the winter in hotbeds at the ,north1 in cold frames in the latitudes of ,washington1 and in the open ground in the ,south4 ,for the home garden the seed should be sown in the open ground as soon as the soil is moderately warm4 ,plant in drills #ab to #ah inches apart1 and as soon as the plants are up thin them slightly to prevent crowding4 ,radishes require to be grown on a quick1 rich soil1 and some of the earlier sorts can be matured in two to three weeks after planting4 ,if the radishes grow slowly they will have a pungent flavor and will not be fit for table use4 ,for a constant supply successive plantings should be made every two weeks1 as the roots lose their crispness and delicate flavor if allowed to remain long in the open ground4 ,as a rule a large percentage of radish seed will grow1 and it is often possible by careful sowing to avoid the necessity of thinning1 the first radishes being pulled as soon as they are of sufficient size for table use1 thus making room for those that are a little later4 ,radishes will not endure hot weather and are suited to early spring and late autumn planting4 ,there are a number of varieties of winter radishes1 the seed of which may be planted the latter part of summer and the roots pulled and stored for winter use4 ,these roots should remain in the ground as long as possible without frosting and should then be dug and stored the same as turnips4 ,this type of radish will not compare with the earlier summer varieties1 which may be easily grown in a hotbed or cold frame during the winter4 ,one ounce of radish seed is sufficient to plant #ajj feet of row1 and when grown on a large scale #aj to #ab pounds of seed will be required to the acre4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee1 #bie2 ,u4 ,id4 ,e4 ,s4 #aj2 ,mich4 ,e4 ,s4 #bj2 ,n4 ,car4 ,e4 ,s4 #acb47 ,,rhubarb 7,,pie ,,plant74 ,the soil for rhubarb should be deep1 and there is little danger of having it too rich4 ,like asparagus the seedling plants of rhubarb can be grown and transplanted4 ,ten to twelve good hills are sufficient to produce all the rhubarb required by the average family1 and these are most easily established by planting pieces of roots taken from another bed4 ,good roots may be secured from dealers and seedsmen at about #a4ej a dozen4 ,the old hills may be divided in the early spring or late fall by digging away the earth on one side and cutting the hill in two with a sharp spade1 the part removed being used to establish a new hill4 ,the usual method of planting rhubarb is to set the plants in a single row along the garden fence1 and the hills should be about #d feet apart4 ,if more than one row is planted the hills should be #c-a_/b or #d feet each way4 ,the thick leaf stems are the part used1 and none should be pulled from the plants the first year after setting4 ,rhubarb should receive the same treatment during winter as asparagus1 and the plants should never be allowed to ripen seed4 ,the roots may be brought into the greenhouse1 pit1 cold frame1 or cellar during the winter and forced4 ,rhubarb does not thrive in warm climates4 ,the use of rhubarb is principally during the early spring for making pies and sauces1 and the stems may be canned for winter use4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,n4 ,car4 ,e4 ,s4 #acb2 ,u4 ,id4 ,e4 ,s4 #aj47 ,,ruta-,,baga 7,,swedes74 ,the culture of the ruta-baga is the same as for the turnip1 except that the former requires more room and a longer period for its growth4 ,the roots are quite hardy and will withstand considerable frost4 ,the ruta-baga is used like the turnip1 and also for stock feed4 ,two pounds of seed are required for one acre4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,mich4 ,e4 ,s4 #f47 ,,salsify 7,,vegetable ,,oyster74 ,sow seeds of salsify during the spring in the same manner as for parsnips or carrots4 ,at the ,south1 a sowing may be made in summer to produce roots for winter use4 ,one ounce of seed is required to plant #ajj feet of row1 and on a large scale #aj pounds to the acre4 ,after the plants are well established they should be thinned sufficiently to prevent their crowding4 ,the cultivation should be the same as for parsnips or carrots1 and frequent use of a wheel hoe will avoid the necessity for hand weeding4 ,salsify may be dug in the autumn and stored or allowed to remain in the ground during the winter1 as its treatment is the same as for parsnips4 ,salsify is a biennial1 and if the roots are not dug before the second season they will throw up stems and produce seed4 ,it is of a weedy nature and care should be taken that it does not run wild by seeding freely4 ,salsify is deserving of more general cultivation1 as it is one of the more desirable of the root crops for the garden4 ,the uses of salsify are similar to those of the parsnip1 and when boiled and afterwards coated with rolled crackers and fried in butter it has a decided oyster flavor1 from which the name vegetable oyster is derived4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee1 #bie2 ,n4 ,car4 ,e4 ,s4 #acb2 ,idaho ,e4 ,s4 #aj47 ,,scolymus4 ,scolymus is a vegetable with spiny1 thistle-like leaves1 from ,spain1 with roots much like a small parsnip and keeping equally well in winter4--7,s4 ,dak4 ,e4 ,s4 #fh47 ,,skirret4 ,this is called ,zuckerwurzel 7,sugar root7 in ,germany4 ,the plump1 fleshy roots are sweet and used boiled during winter1 the same as ,salsify4--7,s4 ,dak4 ,e4 ,s4 #fh47 ,,sorrel4 ,this plant resembles the weed sour dock of the fields4 ,the leaves are large1 tender and juicy1 very broad and often #aj inches long1 retaining the pleasant acid flavor of the original weed4 ,much prized in ,france where it is cultivated as a spring vegetable and used singly or mixed with spinach4--7,mich4 ,e4 ,s4 #bj2 ,u4 ,idaho ,e4 ,s4 #aj47 ,,spinach4 ,spinach thrives in a rather cool climate and attains its best development in the ,middle ,south1 where it can be grown in the open ground during the winter4 ,large areas are grown near ,norfolk1 ,va41 cuttings being made at anytime during the winter when the fields are not frozen or covered with snow4 ,when the weather moderates in the early spring the plants make a new growth1 and a large crop of early greens is available4 ,north of the latitude of ,norfolk1 spinach can be planted in the autumn and carried over winter by mulching with straw or leaves4 ,sow the seeds in drills #a foot apart at the rate of #a ounce to #ajj feet of row or #aj to #ab pounds to the acre4 ,to produce good spinach1 a rich loam which will give the plants a quick growth is required4 ,as ordinarily grown1 it occupies the land during the autumn and winter only and does not interfere with summer cultivation4 ,it is an easily grown garden crop1 and there is1 perhaps1 no other of its kind that will give as good satisfaction4 ,three or four ounces of seed1 planted in the autumn after a summer crop has been harvested from the land1 will produce an abundance of greens for the average family during the late autumn and early spring4 ,in gathering spinach the entire plant is removed rather than merely cutting off the leaves4 ,the larger plants are selected first1 and the smaller or later ones are thus given room to develop4 ,no thinning is required if this plan of harvesting is practiced4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,mich4 ,e4 ,s4 #bj2 ,u4 ,id4 ,e4 ,s4 #aj2 ,n4 ,c4 ,e4 ,s4 #acb47 ,,squash4 ,there are two types of the squash1 the bush varieties1 which may be planted in hills #d or #e feet apart each way1 and the running varieties1 which will require from #h to #af feet for their development4 ,squashes may properly be grown in the garden1 as #c or #d hills will produce all that are required for family use4 ,they require practically the same soil and cultural methods as the muskmelon4 ,a number of varieties are used during the summer in the same manner as vegetable marrow1 but squashes are principally used during the winter1 in much the same way as pumpkins1 to which they are superior in many respects4 ,squashes are also used extensively for pie purposes4 ,the varieties known as ,hubbard and ,boston ,marrow are most commonly grown4 ,squashes1 like pumpkins1 should be handled carefully to avoid bruising1 and should be stored in a moderately warm but well ventilated room4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,mich4 ,e4 ,s4 #aij2 ,s4 ,dak4 ,e4 ,s4 #db1 #fh47 ,,stachys4 ,this vegetable1 known to the botanists as ,stachys sieboldi1 has been introduced into ,america from ,japan and has a number of different names1 such as ,japanese potato1 ,chinese artichoke1 chorogi1 etc41 but the name stachys seems to have been adopted as the common one in this country4 ,the plant is a small perennial belonging to the mint family and produces just below the ground a multitude of small1 white1 crisp edible tubers1 varying from an inch to two and one-half inches in length1 and about one-half an inch in thickness and marked by irregular spiral rings1 which give them a corkscrew-like appearance4 ,stachys has been tested at the ,new ,york 7,cornell7 and a number of the other agricultural experiment stations1 and proved so easy of cultivation and pleasant in taste 7the flavor resembling artichokes7 that the vegetable has made many friends and is now procurable at the markets in most of our larger cities4 ,the agreeable quality is in considerable measure due to the crispness of the tubers1 and as this disappears when they are exposed to the air they should be stored in sand or sawdust4 ,they are ready for use when the plant dies down in the autumn1 though they may be easily carried over the winter and are prepared for the table like potatoes or other vegetables1 or may be eaten raw like radishes4--7,f4 ,b4 #bie47 ,,sweet ,,basil4 ,the leaves are used for flavoring purposes4 ,,sweet ,,corn4 ,plant sweet corn as soon as the soil is warm in the spring1 and make successive plantings every two weeks until ,july1 or the same result can be attained to some extent by a careful selection of early1 medium1 and late varieties4 ,plant the seeds in drills #c feet apart and thin to a single stalk every #aj to #ad inches1 or plant #e to #f seeds in hills #c feet apart each way1 and thin out to #c to #e stalks in a hill4 ,cover the seeds about #b inches deep4 ,cultivate frequently and keep down all weeds1 removing suckers from around the base of the stalk4 ,sweet corn should be planted on rich land1 and the method of cultivation is practically the same as for field corn1 but should be more thorough4 ,there are a number of good early varieties1 and for a midsummer and late sort there is none better than ,stowell's ,ever-green4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,n4 ,j4 ,e4 ,s4 #aii2 ,s4 ,dak4 ,e4 ,s4 #ia47 ,,sweet ,,marjoram4 ,leaves and ends of shoots used for seasoning4 ,,sweet ,,potato4 ,owing to the tropical nature of the sweet potato it naturally thrives best in the ,south ,atlantic and ,gulf ,coast ,states1 but it may be grown for home use as far north as southern ,new ,york and westward along that latitude to the ,rocky ,mountains4 ,the climatic requirements for the production of sweet potatoes on a commercial scale are 7#a7 a growing period of at least four and half months without frost1 7#b7 warm nights and abundant sunshine during the day1 and 7#c7 a moderate rainfall during the growing period4 ,where irrigation is depended upon for the supply of moisture1 the greatest quantity of water should be applied between the time the plants are set in the field and the time when the vines practically cover the ground4 ,if too much water is applied during the latter part of the season the result may be an abundant growth of vine and a small yield of stringy potatoes4 ,for some time before harvesting the crop the water should be withheld altogether1 in order that the roots may ripen properly4 ,soil4--,sweet potatoes thrive on a moderately fertile sandy loam which does not contain an excess of organic matter4 ,they are frequently grown upon almost pure sand1 especially where the subsoil is a yellow clay4 ,soils containing considerable calcium or underlain with limestone are well adapted to the growing of the crop4 ,the sweet potato is exceptional in that a fairly good crop can be grown upon soils that are too poor for the production of the majority of farm crops4 ,sweet potatoes yield a fair crop on the worn-out tobacco and cotton lands of the ,south1 especially when used in a rotation including some leguminous crop for increasing the humus in the soil4 ,like many other crops1 the sweet potato thrives on newly cleared land1 but the crop should not be planted continuously in the same place4 ,with the sweet potato1 as with other crops1 rotation is the keynote of success4 ,good drainage is essential1 the original idea of planting upon high ridges being for the purpose of securing better drainage4 ,the surface soil should extend to a depth of #f or #h inches1 and the subsoil should be of such a nature that it will carry off excessive moisture without leaching away the fertilizers applied to the land4 ,too great a depth of loose surface soil or an alluvial soil having no subsoil will produce long1 irregular potatoes that are undesirable for marketing4 ,planting upon land having a loose1 sandy surface soil underlain by a well-drained clay subsoil will tend to produce the type of rather thick1 spindle-formed potato that commands the highest price4 ,the depth of plowing is a prominent factor in the preparation of land for sweet potatoes1 and on soils of too great depth before the subsoil is reached very shallow plowing should be practiced1 leaving the soil firm beneath1 against which the roots must force their way4 ,if the surface soil is of insufficient depth1 it should be gradually increased by plowing a little deeper each year or by subsoiling in the furrow behind the regular turning plow4 ,fertilizers4--,the root portion of the plant is the part having the greatest value1 though the foliage and vines have some value as food for certain kinds of stock4 ,it has been found that an excessive amount of organic matter in the soil will frequently produce an abundant growth of vines at the expense of the roots4 ,it has also been noted that the potatoes will be small and the yield unsatisfactory on soils that do not contain sufficient organic matter to produce a fair growth of vine4 ,the use of stable manure as a fertilizer for sweet potatoes is recommended on lands that are deficient in organic matter4 ,heavy applications of fresh manure shortly before planting the land to sweet potatoes will stimulate not only the growth of weeds but also of the vines at the expense of the roots4 ,well-rotted stable manure may be used at the rate of #aj to #ae carloads to the acre1 spread broadcast or beneath the ridges and harrowed into the soil1 but it is always well to apply the manure with the crop grown the previous season4 ,by this method the manure will become thoroughly incorporated with the soil and become somewhat reduced before the sweet potatoes are planted upon the land4 ,stable manure will be found most beneficial on worn-out soils1 but on the more fertile soils its use should be restricted and the method of application carefully studied4 ,the sweet potato is one of the few crops that thrive equally as well 7or better7 upon commercial fertilizers as upon stable manure4 ,a fertilizer for use on the majority of sweet potato lands should contain #c to #f per cent of nitrogen1 #f or #g per cent of phosphoric acid1 and #h to #aj per cent of potash4 ,every grower should make a study of the requirements of his soil and apply the fertilizer that will give the best results4 ,many growers purchase the ingredients and mix their own special fertilizers1 or use a standard fertilizer as a base and increase the percentage of certain elements by adding high-grade elementary ingredients4 ,some soils require that certain elements should be in a more available form than others2 in the case of nitrogen it is often desirable to have a portion of that contained in the fertilizer quickly available and the remainder more slowly in order to feed the plants throughout the season4 ,a mixture adapted to the growing of sweet potatoes on most soils may be made by combining the following3 #bjj pounds of high-grade sulphate of ammonia1 #be per cent pure4 #bjj pounds of dried blood1 or #cjj pounds of fish scrap4 #a1bjj pounds of acid phosphate1 #aa per cent pure4 #djj pounds of high-grade muriate of potash1 #ej per cent pure4 ,the quantity of fertilizer that may be profitably applied will be governed entirely by local conditions4 ,many growers do not depend upon commercial fertilizers1 but merely apply from #bjj to #cjj pounds to each acre as a supplement to the organic matter and natural fertility of the soil4 ,others apply from #cjj to #a1jjj pounds1 according to the condition of the soil1 while a few growers use a ton to the acre4 ,the general rule is to apply the fertilizer in the row where the crop is to be grown1 but where large quantities are used it should be distributed at least ten days before planting and thoroughly incorporated with the soil4 ,an application of #a1jjj pounds of high-grade fertilizer placed in the row at planting time has been known to injure seriously or kill the plants4 ,for the best results the fertilizer should be applied at least ten days before planting1 or a portion of the fertilizer may be applied a month or more in advance and the remainder at the time of preparing the land for planting4 ,hardwood ashes are desirable for use on sweet potato land and may be applied at the rate of from #a1bjj to #b1jjj pounds to the acre4 ,the value of wood ashes depends upon how much they have become leached1 but hardwood ashes should contain from #f to #h per cent of available potash4 ,wood ashes also contain considerable lime4 ,where large quantities of any green crop are plowed into the soil there is a tendency to sourness1 and occasional applications of from #a to #b tons of lime to the acre are beneficial4 ,the presence of an abundance of lime in soils devoted to the growing of sweet potatoes hastens the maturity of the crop and increases the yield4 ,on poor soils the lime and potash work together to produce potatoes of uniform size and shape1 but on rich or alluvial soils the tendency is toward the production of over-large and irregular roots4 ,the lime should be applied the previous season1 or at least the autumn before planting the land to sweet potatoes4 ,propagation of ,plants4--,the more common varieties of the sweet potato have for a great many years been propagated by cuttings1 or sets1 taken either from the potatoes themselves or from growing vines1 and as a result the plants have ceased to flower and produce seed4 ,the greater portion of the commercial crop is grown from sets1 or draws1 produced by sprouting medium-sized potatoes in a warm bed of soil4 ,where only a small area of sweet potatoes is to be grown for home use1 the necessary plants can generally be secured from some one who makes a business of growing them4 ,if an acre or more is to be planted it will in most cases be more economical to prepare a bed and grow the plants4 ,the method of starting the plants will depend upon the locality and the acreage to be planted1 the essentials being a bed of warm earth and a covering to protect the young plants during the early springtime4 ,selection of ,seed4--,the potatoes that are to serve as seed from which to grow the plants for the next season's crop should always be selected at the time of digging and housing the crop4 ,for seed purposes it is the custom to select the medium or undersized potatoes1 such as are too small for marketing4 ,those potatoes that will pass through a #b-;inch ring or can be circled by the thumb and first finger of a man having a hand of average size are used for seed purposes4 ,the seed potatoes should be uniform in size and of the shape desired in the following year's crop4 ,the seed should be free from cuts1 bruises1 decay1 or disease of any kind4 ,throughout the handling of the seed potatoes they should not receive any treatment that would break eggs4 ,the seed should always be handled and kept separate from the regular crop4 ,the oftener the seed is handled the greater the danger of decay1 and it should not be sorted over until everything is ready for bedding4 ,the best seed is grown from cuttings taken from the regular plants after they have begun to form vines4 ,these cuttings produce large numbers of medium or small-sized potatoes that are free from diseases and adapted for use as seed the following year4 ,hotbeds4--,toward the northern part of the area over which sweet potatoes are grown it is necessary to start the plants in a hotbed in order that the length of season may be sufficient to mature the crop4 ,the roots that are too small for marketing are used for seed1 and these are bedded close together in the hotbed and covered with about #b inches of sand or fine soil1 such as leaf mold4 ,the seed should be bedded about five or six weeks before it will be safe to set the plants in the open ground1 which is usually about ,may #ae or ,may #bj4 ,toward the last the hotbed should be ventilated very freely in order to harden off the plants4 ,drawing the ,sets4--,as a general rule sweet potato plants are set in the field shortly after a rain4 ,in order to avoid delay in planting1 the hands should begin to get out the sets as soon as the rain ceases falling and place them in crates or baskets ready for transportation to the field4 ,the sets are not all produced at once1 and only those that have formed good roots are drawn1 the others being left until later4 ,in drawing the sets the seed potato is held down with one hand while the plants are removed with the thumb and finger of the other hand4 ,it often happens that five or six plants will cling together at the base1 and these should be separated in order to avoid loss of time in the field4 ,the roots should all be kept in one direction1 and if the tops are long or irregular they may be trimmed off even by means of a knife4 ,while drawing the sets it is a good plan to have at hand a large pail or tub containing water to which there has been added a quantity of clay and cow manure which has been stirred until it forms a thin slime4 ,as the plants are pulled from the bed they are taken in small bunches and their roots dipped into this mixture4 ,this process1 termed puddling1 covers the roots with a coating which not only prevents their becoming dry in handling but insures a direct contact with the soil when they are planted in the field or garden4 ,after removing the sets that are ready1 the bed should be watered to settle the soil where it has become disturbed and then left for the younger plants to develop4 ,packing for ,shipment4--,in preparing sweet potato plants for shipment or for sale1 they are drawn from the bed and tied in bunches of #ajj each with soft string4 ,sweet potato plants will not withstand excessive moisture and should always be packed while the tops are dry4 ,a little damp moss or paper may be placed in the crate or basket and the roots bedded in it1 but the tops should remain dry and have free ventilation4 ,if the roots of sweet potato plants are carefully puddled without the mixture coming in contact with the tops1 they will keep in good condition for a week or ten days4 ,preparation of ,land4--,the character of soil devoted to sweet potato culture is generally quite easy to prepare4 ,in preparing land for planting to sweet potatoes the plowing and fitting are practically the same as for corn4 ,it should be borne in mind1 however1 that the work necessary for thorough preparation will be well repaid by the increased ease in handling the crop later4 ,it is always desirable that a crop like sweet potatoes be grown as a part of the regular farm rotation4 ,in the northern portion of the sweet-potato-growing area the crop will occupy the land the entire growing season1 and a three or four year rotation should be practiced4 ,where the climate will permit1 a crop of early snap beans1 peas1 or cabbage may precede the sweet potatoes1 but in any case the land should not be planted to sweet potatoes oftener than once every three years4 ,a good rotation is to devote the land to corn one year1 sowing crimson clover in the alleys between the rows at the time the corn is given the last cultivation4 ,during the following spring the crimson clover should be turned under and sweet potatoes planted2 then in the autumn1 after the potatoes are harvested1 the land may be plowed1 fitted and sown to rye or winter oats with plenty of grass seed4 ,in this way a crop of grain may be obtained during the time that the grass is becoming established4 ,allow the land to remain in grass one or two years and then repeat the rotation4 ,where corn is followed by sweet potatoes in the rotation1 stable manure should be applied while fitting the land for the corn1 and commercial fertilizers should be applied with the sweet potato crop4 ,the usual depth of plowing in preparing land for corn will prove satisfactory for sweet potatoes4 ,the fact that sweet potatoes are not planted in the field until quite late in the spring makes it possible for the grower to select a time when conditions are favorable for the preparation of the land4 ,plowing may be deferred until the soil has become sufficiently dry to break up fine and mellow4 ,it is important that the land should be harrowed within a few hours after plowing2 further fitting may be deferred until later1 and if the soil is inclined to be lumpy the work of pulverizing may best be done shortly after a shower and while the lumps are mellow4 ,when the primary work of preparation is finished1 the soil should be mellow to a depth of #f or #g inches and the surface smooth and even4 ,subsequent handling of the soil preparatory to planting will depend upon whether ridge or level culture is to be followed4 ,preparation for ,planting4--,after plowing and fitting the land it is generally allowed to lie several days before being put in shape for planting4 ,if level culture is to be practiced1 the only thing necessary will be to run the harrow over the soil once and then mark in both directions at the desired distances for planting4 ,the marking is generally done with either a one-horse plow1 a flat-soled marker1 or a disk marker4 ,the disk marker is well adapted to this work1 as it throws up a slight ridge which furnishes fresh earth in which to plant4 ,some growers who practice level culture mark the ground with a small one-horse plow and throw up a slight ridge upon which to plant2 behind the plow a roller is used to compress this ridge to a low1 flat elevation4 ,where the more universal ridge method of planting is employed the soil is thrown up by means of a turning plow or a disk machine4 ,the ridges should be made at least one week before planting1 in order that the soil may become settled and compact4 ,the majority of sweet-potato growers make the ridges whenever the land is in good condition to work and then either roll or drag the tops just ahead of the planters4 ,setting the ,plants4--,the success of the crop depends largely upon the way in which the plants start after being removed from the bed and set in the field or garden4 ,practical growers always plan to set the plants during a season or period when the conditions are suitable to a quick start into growth1 either just before a rain or as soon afterward as the soil can be worked4 ,the method of setting will depend entirely upon local conditions and the acreage to be grown1 the essential features1 however1 being to get the roots in contact with moist earth and the soil firmly pressed about the plants4 ,the use of water around the roots of the plants is desirable under most circumstances1 as it not only moistens the soil but assists in settling it about the roots4 ,a large quantity of water is not necessary1 one-half pint to each plant being generally considered sufficient4 ,where level culture is practiced1 the plants are set from #bd to #cj inches apart in each direction4 ,on the eastern shore of ,virginia the greater portion of the crop is planted #bd inches apart each way1 requiring about #aa1jjj plants to an acre4 ,by planting #cj inches apart each way1 only about #g1jjj plants are required to set one acre4 ,where the crop is grown on ridges it is customary to have the ridges from #cf to #db inches apart from center to center and to place the plants #ad to #ah inches apart in the row4 ,by this method an acre will require from #h1jjj to #ab1ejj plants4 ,an acre of good sweet potato land will readily support #i1jjj to #aa1jjj plants1 and the number most commonly planted by the several methods will fall within these figures4 ,cultivation4--,the methods of handling a crop of sweet potatoes do not differ materially from those employed with ordinary farm and garden crops4 ,within a few days after planting1 a sweep or one-horse plow should be run in the alleys to break out the strip of earth left in ridging4 ,the loose earth in the alleys should be worked toward the rows until a broad1 flat ridge is formed upon which a small-tooth cultivator can be run quite close to the plants4 ,after each rain or irrigation the soil should receive a shallow cultivation1 and during dry weather frequent cultivations are necessary in order to retain moisture4 ,about two hand hoeings are generally necessary in order to keep the rows free from weeds and the soil loose around the plants4 ,as hand labor is expensive1 it should be the aim to perform the greater part of the work by means of horse tools4 ,where sweet potatoes are planted in check rows and worked in both directions the hand work required will be reduced to a minimum1 but a certain amount of hoeing is always necessary4 ,when the vines begin to interfere with further cultivation the crop may be laid by1 i4 e41 given a final working in which the soil is drawn well up over the ridges and the vines then allowed to take full possession of the land4 ,to do this it is often necessary to turn the vines first to one side of the row and then to the other by means of a stick or a wooden rake4 ,after laying by1 very little attention is required until time for harvesting the crop4 ,harvesting4--,the harvesting and marketing of sweet potatoes direct from the field begins about the middle of ,august and continues until the crop is all disposed of or placed in storage for winter marketing4 ,during the early part of the harvesting season the yield is light1 but as a rule the prices paid are good4 ,the supply for home use and those potatoes that are to be kept in storage should not be dug until just before frost4 ,in the localities where frosts do not occur until quite late in the season the sweet potatoes ripen and the vines show a slight tinge of yellow when ready for handling4 ,effect of frost4--,the foliage of the sweet potato is very tender and is easily injured by frost4 ,a light frosting of the leaves will do no harm1 but should the vines become frozen before digging they should be cut away to prevent the frozen sap passing down to the roots and injuring them4 ,where there is a heavy yield of potatoes the soil is frequently cracked or the ends of the potatoes protrude above ground and are liable to injury from severe frost4 ,if on account of rainy weather or for any other cause the potatoes can not be dug before frost or immediately afterwards1 the vines should be cut away and the potatoes removed at the first opportunity4 ,if cold weather continues it may be necessary to draw a little extra soil over the hills to protect the potatoes1 or the vines may be piled in a ridge over the row4 ,a very slight frosting of the potatoes will cause them to decay within a short time after being placed in storage4 ,it is desirable that the soil should be comparatively dry at the time of harvesting sweet potatoes1 and bright1 drying weather is essential to the proper handling of the crop4 ,sweet potatoes differ from ,irish potatoes in that they are not so easily injured by sunlight4 ,however1 they should not be exposed for any length of time if the sunshine is very warm4 ,during the handling in the field it should be the purpose to remove all soil and surface moisture from the potatoes4 ,sweet potatoes should not lie exposed upon the surface of the ground during the night4 ,grading and ,packing4--,in sorting sweet potatoes preparatory to packing1 about four grades are recognized1 as fancy1 primes1 seconds and culls4 ,those packed as fancy include only the most select1 both in size and shape4 ,the primes include all those adapted to general first-class trade1 while the seconds include the smaller and more irregular stock which goes to a lower priced trade4 ,the culls are not marketed unless good stock is exceedingly scarce1 and as a rule are used for feeding to hogs4 ,sweet potatoes are usually shipped in barrels holding eleven pecks each4 ,some markets require that the barrels be faced and headed1 while for others the tops are slightly rounded and covered with burlap4 ,small lots of extra-fancy sweet potatoes are sometimes shipped in one-bushel crates having raised tops2 also in patent folding crates4 ,throughout the process of handling care must be exercised to see that the sweet potatoes do not become bruised1 for upon this their shipping and keeping qualities greatly depend4 ,storage4--,unlike most perishable products1 the sweet potato requires warmth and a dry atmosphere while in storage4 ,the method of storing will depend both upon the locality and the quantity of potatoes to be cared for4 ,the temperature and conditions of a rather cool living room are admirably adapted for keeping sweet potatoes intended for home use in the ,north1 while in the ,south they may be placed in pits or stored in outdoor cellars4 ,the home supply may be placed in crates and stored in a loft over the kitchen part of the dwelling4 ,sweet potatoes should not be stored in bags or in barrels without ventilation4 ,the seed stock for planting the following year should be selected and stored separately in a small bin4 ,as the potatoes are separated into their respective grades they are put into baskets and carried to the bins4 ,some growers prefer to do the grading in the field1 but this necessitates the employment of a larger percentage of expert labor and delays the work of getting the potatoes hauled to the storehouse4 ,women and children can pick up the potatoes in the field1 and two or three experienced men can do the sorting and grading at the house in a much shorter time and in a more satisfactory manner4 ,before starting to fill a bin1 #b or #c inches of dry pine needles1 straw1 or chaff should be placed upon the floor4 ,beginning at the back of the bin the potatoes are piled to a depth of #cj or #dj inches until the entire floor space is covered and a number of slats are required to be placed across the doorway opening4 ,a few grain bags filled with straw should be placed upon the potatoes at intervals from front to back of the bin1 and upon these planks on which the men may walk while carrying in the next layer of potatoes may be laid4 ,in this way a bin may be filled to a depth of #h or #i feet by about three layers4 ,by dumping them in layers the potatoes have an opportunity to become thoroughly dry before a new layer is placed over them4 ,temperature and ,ventilation of ,storage ,houses4--,two or three days before beginning to bring in the potatoes1 the storage house should be thoroughly cleaned and the heating appliance put in working order and started1 in order to have the house both warm and dry when the crop comes in4 ,throughout the time of storing and for about ten days after the potatoes are all in the bins a temperature of #he or #ij ,f4 should be maintained in the house1 with plenty of ventilation4 ,this constitutes what is known as the sweating or curing process1 and the keeping qualities of the potatoes depend upon the thoroughness with which this part of the work is done4 ,wood-burning stoves are frequently employed for heating sweet potato storage houses1 but a hot-water boiler with coils of pipes along the walls of the building is very satisfactory4 ,after the crop is all in and thoroughly cured1 the temperature of the storage house should be gradually lowered and may vary between #ee and #fe ,f41 but considerable ventilation should be maintained4 ,sweet potatoes should be handled very carefully and as few times as possible1 the essentials to good keeping being a reasonable degree of warmth1 a dry atmosphere1 and careful handling4 ,great care should be taken with the seed for the next year's planting to see that it is carefully handled and properly stored4 ,while a temperature of #hj or #he ,f4 is required to properly start the seed into growth in the spring1 a higher temperature during a long period of time in storage is liable to injure or even kill the buds4 ,potatoes intended for seed should not be stored in too great quantities1 and where but a small supply is needed they can often be kept buried in dry sand after having first been thoroughly cured4 ,the sand used for this purpose should be baked to insure the driving off of moisture1 and may be placed around the potatoes while slightly warm4 ,in controlling the ventilation of the storage house during the winter months1 outside air should be admitted only when quite dry and when its temperature is lower than that of the air in the storage house4 ,if warm1 moist air is admitted considerable moisture will be deposited upon the potatoes1 thus injuring their keeping qualities4 ,loss from ,shrinkage in ,storage4--,under proper storage conditions sweet potatoes will shrink from #f to #aj per cent1 but the loss in weight will be greater if the temperature of the house is carried too high4 ,if the potatoes are not mature when dug from the field the loss from shrinkage may be as much as #ae per cent1 and immature stock should be marketed early in the winter4 ,marketing ,during ,winter ,months4--,for marketing from outside pits it is desirable to have the quantity stored in one pit small enough to permit of all being removed at one time4 ,the potatoes may be removed from outdoor cellars as desired4 ,in marketing from heated storage houses the potatoes should not be disturbed until they are barreled or crated1 and then they should be placed directly upon the market and sold without delay4 ,when shipping during cold weather the barrels should at least be lined with paper1 and a covering of heavy brown paper over the outside of the barrels will form a safeguard4 ,if the potatoes are shipped in carload lots during the winter the cars should be either of the regular refrigerator type or felt lined4 ,varieties4--,of the large number of varieties of the sweet potato there are not more than ten that are now of great commercial importance in the ,united ,states4 ,for the markets that require a dry1 mealy-fleshed potato those varieties belonging to the ,jersey group are suitable4 ,for the southern trade and where a moist-fleshed potato is desired those commonly designated as yams are in demand4 ,among the ,jerseys that are extensively grown are the ,big-,stem ,jersey1 the ,yellow ,jersey and the ,red ,jersey4 ,the principal varieties of the yam group are the ,southern ,queen1 the ,pumpkin ,yam1 the ,georgia1 the ,florida1 and the ,red ,bermuda4 ,of the varieties mentioned there are a large number of special strains1 known under many local names4 ,in the selection of varieties for home use one must be governed largely by locality4 ,as a rule those of the ,jersey group will thrive farther north than those of the so-called yam types4 ,for market purposes the particular variety or strain grown in the vicinity should first be selected1 and afterward other varieties may be experimented with in a small way4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee1 #bie1 #cbd2 ,tuskegee ,e4 ,s4 #b1 #aj1 #ag2 ,ariz4 ,e4 ,s4 #hf2 ,n4 ,mex4 ,e4 ,s4 #gj2 ,s4 ,car4 ,e4 ,s4 #e1 #acf2 ,s4 ,dak4 ,e4 ,s4 #ia47 ,,swiss ,,chard4 ,the part eaten is not the root1 but the midrib of the leaf which is prepared much the same as asparagus4 ,the flavor is distinct from that of the ordinary beet root4 ,give the same culture as required for beets4 ,the soil should be richer4 ,in the fall cover with straw4 ,this will aid an early growth and help blanch the stems4 ,this is a very valuable plant and should be cultivated more extensively4 ,,thyme4 ,the leaves are used for seasoning1 and a tea is also made therefrom for nervous headache4 ,,tomatoes4 ,because of the tropical origin of the tomato it requires a long season for its growth and development1 and on this account it is necessary in the ,northern ,states1 in order to secure paying crops1 to resort to methods which lengthen the growing season4 ,it is much easier for the gardener to accomplish this while the plant is small than when it is large1 and because early fruits are as a rule more valuable than late ones it is of advantage to the gardener to secure his crop as early in the season as practicable4 ,the season is1 therefore1 lengthened at the beginning rather than at the end4 ,this is accomplished by sowing seeds in hotbeds or greenhouses several weeks in advance of the time when they could be safely planted in the open4 ,the ,tomato as a ,field ,crop at the ,north4--,east of the ,mississippi ,river and north of the latitude of ,washington1 ,d4 ,c41 the tomato is handled as an annual1 the seeds being sown in hotbeds about the middle of ,march4 ,the young plants1 as soon as they have developed their first true leaves1 are transplanted to stand about #b inches apart each way and are allowed to develop in these quarters until they have attained a height of from #d to #f inches and the leaves begin to crowd considerably4 ,they are then transplanted to pots1 #c or #d inches in diameter4 ,training ,plants to ,stakes4--,for earliest returns it is desirable to train forced plants to a single stem by tying them to a stake #d or #e feet in height4 ,these stakes should be driven firmly into the ground beside the plants and the plants carefully tied to them to prevent whipping and to keep the fruits off the ground4 ,all side shoots should be kept pinched out and only the central leading stem allowed to develop to bring larger results4 ,if the plants are to be trained in this way they can be set from #ah inches to #b feet apart in the row1 and about #c-a_/b to #d feet between the rows4 ,training ,plants on ,frames4--,another plan sometimes followed in the training of tomatoes is to place a flaring frame1 about #ah inches square at the base and #bd inches square at the top over the plants before they begin to spread4 ,the shoots as they become heavy with fruit fall over against the sides of the rack and are prevented from coming in contact with the earth4 ,for a kitchen garden where but few plants are grown this is a very satisfactory plan4 ,the plants can be set somewhat closer than is the case where no supports are provided4 ,for commercial plantations1 however1 the cost of the frames is prohibitive4 ,the common commercial practice is to place the plants about #d feet apart each way in check rows so as to allow them to be cultivated in both directions4 ,under intensive cultivation in a small garden1 however1 the first method1 that of tying the vines to stakes1 will be found very satisfactory4 ,where tomatoes are grown on a large scale and where the product brings only a small price per bushel1 expensive methods of handling and training can not be profitably followed4 ,the common practice in growing tomatoes for the general market and for canning purposes in localities north of ,new ,york ,city is to sow the seed very thinly in a hotbed about ,march #ae and allow the plants to grow slowly without transplanting them until they can be put in the field about ,june #a4 ,the plants1 even with the most careful attention1 when grown under these conditions will become long and thin stemmed1 with a small tuft of leaves at the top4 ,setting the ,plants4--,plants more than a foot high which have been grown under these conditions should be treated somewhat as follows3 ,instead of attempting to set the plant deeply and maintain it in an upright position1 remove all except three or four of the top-most leaves about the growing point4 ,dig a shallow trench along the row--a trench #c or #d inches deep--slightly sloping from a deep point at one end to the surface of the ground at the other4 ,place the bare stem of the tomato and the root in this trench1 with the root in the deepest portion1 cover the stem throughout its length with fresh soil1 and pack this firmly4 ,under these conditions the plant will take root throughout the length of the buried stem1 and in a short time the added root system which is thus given the plant will force it into vigorous growth4 ,plants of this character which are to be grown on an extensive scale are never trained4 ,they are allowed to grow at will1 and the fruits are gathered as they ripen without special attention to keep them off the ground or otherwise to care for them4 ,length of ,season4--,the season of fruit production is longer in the higher than in the lower latitudes4 ,this is a rather interesting and unexpected condition4 ,normally one would expect to find that the tomato would begin maturing its fruit earlier and would continue bearing longer in the latitude of the city of ,washington than it would in the latitude of ,boston2 but this is not the case4 ,tomatoes in the latitude of ,washington and south of this point come into bearing1 quickly produce a heavy flush of fruit1 and then refuse to do more1 and in order to have a continuous supply throughout the season it is necessary for market gardeners and truckers to plant seeds in succession so as to keep up a continuous supply4 ,fertilizers4--,since the tomato is grown exclusively for its fruit1 those fertilizers which induce a large growth of plant and foliage are not desirable in the production of this crop4 ,soils vary greatly in regard to the quantity of available plant food they contain4 ,the use of a fertilizer is determined largely by the character1 mechanical condition1 and composition of the soil4 ,if a soil is deficient in all the essential elements of plant food--nitrogen1 potash1 and phosphoric acid--the application of any one or even two of them will not materially influence the yield of the crop4 ,on the other hand1 on soils deficient only in potash or phosphoric acid1 or both1 little would be gained by adding nitrogen1 which is already in excess1 to the other element or elements to be applied4 ,economy of operation1 as well as the general effect upon the soil1 must also be considered4 ,this may be influenced by the character of the season1 but should be based on the increased yield and increased net receipts of the crop4 ,as a general rule1 readily soluble1 quick-acting fertilizers which produce an early growth and early ripening of the crop are most desirable4 ,heavy dressings of stable manure tend to produce too much vine1 and are seldom or never employed4 ,if stable manure is used it is at a moderate rate1 usually not more than one or two shovelfuls to a plant4 ,this1 if well decomposed and thoroughly incorporated with the soil1 is very stimulating to the young plant and consequently very beneficial4 ,any fertilizer used should be applied1 in part at least1 at the time the plants are transplanted to the field4 ,cultivation4--,as soon as the young seedling plants from the hotbed or greenhouse are transferred to the field they should be given clean cultivation with implements which stir the surface of the soil but do not produce ridges or furrows4 ,when the plants are set in check rows #d feet apart each way it is possible in field culture to keep the plantation almost free from weeds by the use of horse hoes4 ,if1 however1 the plants are set so that cultivation can be carried on only in one direction1 hand hoeing will be necessary to keep down weeds between the plants in the row4 ,where land is not expensive1 and where labor costs heavily1 the cost of producing a crop of tomatoes can be decidedly lessened by planting in check rows and carrying on the cultivation by horsepower4 ,the grower should bear in mind1 however1 that the object of cultivation is not merely to kill weeds4 ,the destruction of weeds is an important factor and in itself sufficient to justify clean culture1 but the preservation of a soil mulch for the purpose of husbanding the moisture of the soil during periods of drought is of even greater value4 ,with care in the choice of implements both results can be attained with the same expenditure of labor4 ,harvesting and ,marketing4--,the fruits should be gathered two or three times a week if the tomato is grown as a truck crop4 ,when used for canning purposes the harvesting periods need not be quite so close1 and when the fruits are to be shipped some distance they should be gathered as soon as partially colored1 instead of allowing them to become colored on the vine4 ,the fruit of the tomato is velvet green up to the time the ripening process begins1 and at this stage1 if the products are to be shipped long distances1 the fruits should be harvested4 ,for home markets1 however1 the fruits should be allowed to ripen upon the plant4 ,in harvesting1 none except sound fruits of a similar stage of maturity should be harvested and packed in any one receptacle4 ,leaky fruits and deformed fruits should be rejected4 ,in packing tomatoes for the market1 those that are symmetrical in form and uniform in size and of a like degree of ripeness should be selected for filling any one receptacle4 ,varieties for the ,north4--,there are a large number of sorts of tomatoes1 each one possessing some points of merit or difference which distinguish it from all others4 ,these differences enable the intelligent cultivator to select sorts for special purposes1 as well as for special soils and climates4 ,the varying demands of the markets and the different soil and climatic conditions presented in the various sections of the ,united ,states where the tomato is grown can only be satisfied by a variety list as variable as are the conditions4 ,early ripening sorts are frequently irregular in shape1 have comparatively thin walls1 large seed cavities1 and numerous seeds4 ,the fruit is apt to color and ripen unevenly1 remaining green around the stem1 or to contain a hard green core4 ,later-ripening sorts1 while not all superior to the others1 have as a rule thicker and firmer walls1 smaller seed cavities1 and few seeds4 ,the most highly developed varieties now make few seeds and ripen evenly4 ,these characteristics of the fruits are important factors in determining their fitness for special purposes4 ,medium-sized1 smooth1 spherical fruits1 which ripen evenly and have small seed cavities and thick walls are especially suited to long-distance shipment4 ,these qualities should enter into every sort selected to the greatest possible degree consistent with earliness1 lateness1 heavy yield1 or any other special quality which gives the variety a marked commercial advantage4 ,the following list is made up of varieties possessing some markedly distinct character1 such as earliness1 great size1 purple1 red1 or yellow color1 dwarf habit1 etc43 ,early ,ripening ,varieties4--,sparks' ,earliana1 ,atlantic ,prize1 ,early ,freedom4 ,large-,fruited ,varieties4--,ponderosa1 ,beefsteak4 ,purple-,fruited ,varieties4--,beauty1 ,acme1 ,imperial4 ,red-,fruited ,varieties4--,favorite 7late71 ,honor ,bright1 ,matchless1 ,stone1 ,royal ,red1 ,new ,jersey4 ,yellow-,fruited ,varieties4--,golden ,queen1 ,lemon ,blush4 ,dwarf or ,tree ,types4--,dwarf ,champion1 ,station ,upright ,tree1 ,aristocrat4 ,potato-,leaf ,types4--,livingston's ,potato-,leaf1 ,mikado1 ,turner's ,hybrid4 ,the ,tomato as a ,field ,crop at the ,south4--,commercial tomato growing in the ,southern ,states is almost exclusively confined to the production of tomatoes at a season when they can not be grown at the ,north1 except in greenhouses4 ,on this account the commercial production of this crop is restricted to areas where there is very little1 if any1 freezing during the winter months4 ,time of ,planting4--,at the extreme southern limit of the commercial cultivation of this crop in ,florida the plants are grown so as to be ready for setting in the open about ,december #a4 ,the date of seed sowing advances as the cultivation of the crop progresses northward1 so that in northern ,florida the seeds are sown early in ,january and the young plants placed in the field in ,march4 ,where frost conditions do not form barriers against the production of seedling plants in the open1 the seed beds for the young plants are prepared in some sheltered situation where partial shade can be given and where the seed bed can be frequently watered4 ,the young plants1 as soon as they have attained the proper size--that is1 from #f to #aj inches in height--are transferred to the field in practically the same manner as are the hotbed-grown plants produced for general field culture at the ,north1 and except for a specially early crop they are not transplanted or potted4 ,the young seedlings in the cold frame will require careful attention in the way of watering and ventilation2 otherwise many plants will be lost by damping off or from sun-scorching during bright days unless the sash are lifted or entirely removed4 ,yield4--,the yield of fruit in the ,south1 under the conditions mentioned1 is much less than it is in regions having the long growing periods characteristic of higher latitudes4 ,yields vary from #ge to #bej bushels to the acre1 but the high price obtained for the fruits which are thus produced at a season when the sole competition comes from the products of northern greenhouses renders the crop1 when well handled1 very remunerative4 ,soil4--,the soil which is preferred for the production of this crop is one which contains a comparatively high percentage of sand4 ,in this region sandy loam or a sandy soil is preferred to bottom land for the cultivation of tomatoes4 ,an area with a gentle slope to the south is considered more desirable than that with other exposure4 ,if a wind-break can be secured along the north and west sides of the area very early crops can frequently be preserved through a wind-storm when the temperature1 while not low enough to freeze the plants1 will1 when accompanied by a high wind1 chill and destroy them4 ,varieties for the ,south4--,in the ,south1 where the tomato is handled as a short-season crop1 certain varieties are found to give best results in certain districts4 ,along the ,atlantic seaboard the growers of tomatoes use such sorts as ,beauty1 ,stone1 ,perfection1 ,aristocrat1 and ,paragon4 ,in the truck regions of eastern ,texas the ,dwarf ,champion is perhaps more universally grown than any other variety1 but in this same region the ,success is found to be a more profitable late-season or fall crop than the ,champion4 ,forcing ,tomatoes4--,in the forcing of plants1 which means the growing of a plant out of its natural season and in an artificial environment1 the first requirement for success is a properly constructed protective structure or greenhouse4 ,because of the tropical nature of the tomato more than ordinary provisions must be made in order to meet the demands of this crop4 ,in the forcing of most vegetables a lower temperature and benches without bottom heat are satisfactory1 but with the tomato the house must be piped so as to maintain a minimum temperature of #fe degrees ,f41 and the benches should be so constructed as to admit of applying bottom heat4 ,type of ,greenhouse4--,the type of house that is generally employed for the forcing of tomatoes is the even-span or a three-fourths span house4 ,if the even-span house is used it is preferable to have the ridge running north and south2 if the three-fourths span house is employed it is best to have the long side sloping toward the south4 ,the tomato when grown in the forcing house1 because of its long fruiting season and the fact that its clusters of fruit are borne one above the other1 requires a considerable amount of head room4 ,low houses are therefore not desirable in the production of this crop4 ,the side walls of a house designed for the forcing of tomatoes should be at least #d feet in height1 and the distance from the top of the middle bench to the ridge of the house should be at least #aj feet4 ,soil4--,the soil for the production of this crop should be well decomposed loam1 made1 if possible1 from sods from an old pasture1 the soil of which is a rather light clay loam or a heavy sandy loam4 ,with this should be incorporated about one-fourth its bulk of well-rotted stable manure1 preferably cow manure4 ,by composting these two materials for from four to six months before they are required for use a very satisfactory soil for the forcing of tomatoes will result4 ,care should be exercised to allow the soil that is used for forcing tomatoes to be frozen each year4 ,the depth of soil required for the successful growth of tomatoes is considerably more than that employed for roses1 although the temperature and other requirements are very similar to those demanded by the rose4 ,while #d or #e inches of soil are adequate to produce a crop of roses1 the soil for tomatoes should be at least #f or #h inches in depth2 #h inches is preferable4 ,it is not well to allow the soil to remain in the greenhouse longer than a single season4 ,it becomes somewhat exhausted and is likely to become infested with injurious forms of life1 particularly nematodes1 which cause root-knots upon the tomato plants1 thus defeating the work of the gardener4 ,this trouble1 however1 can be easily overcome by subjecting the soil to freezing4 ,seedling ,plants4--,two types of plants are used for forcing purposes--seedling plants and cutting plants4 ,the former are1 of course1 seedlings grown from seed especially sown for the purpose of raising plants to be grown in a greenhouse4 ,it is customary in the latitude of ,new ,york and northward to sow the seed for a forcing crop of tomatoes in the month of ,august4 ,the young seedling plants1 as soon as they develop the first true leaves1 are then transplanted from the seed bed to small pots1 preferably #c-;inch pots4 ,they are planted deeply at this time and are kept growing rapidly but not sufficiently to produce a soft1 succulent growth4 ,as soon as the #c-;inch pots are filled with roots the plants are shifted to #d-;inch pots1 and when the plants have attained a height of #ab or #ae inches1 and have developed their first blossoms1 they are usually placed on the benches of the greenhouse1 where they are to produce their crop4 ,the plants are then set #ae or #ah inches apart each way in a soil prepared as previously described4 ,cutting ,plants4--,cuttings should be taken from strong1 healthy1 vigorous-growing plants in the field1 and placed in the cutting bed about the last of ,august1 where they will quickly take root4 ,as soon as the roots have developed to a length of from one-half to #a inch the young plants are shifted to #c or #d inch pots1 where they are allowed to develop until the blossom buds are well formed or the blossoms have expanded1 when they should be planted on the bench where they are to mature their crop1 in like manner as noted for seedling plants4 ,pollination4--,in the field1 where the tomato plants are exposed to the action of wind and to the visits of insects1 no special attention is necessary in order to secure the pollination of the flowers and the setting of the fruits4 ,under the conditions existing in a greenhouse1 however1 it is necessary to artificially pollinate the flowers of the tomato2 otherwise only a very small percentage of fruits will set and the object of the work will be defeated4 ,it is therefore necessary to allow the temperature of the house to become quite high in the middle of the day on bright sunshiny days while the plants are in bloom1 and to pass through the house at this time with a little stick1 #ah inches or #b feet in length1 with which to strike the supporting strings or wires and thus to set the plants in motion and liberate the pollen and cause it to fertilize the flowers4 ,a more satisfactory way1 however1 is to use a watch glass1 #a-a_/d or #a-ab inches in diameter1 embedded in putty1 at the end of a handle composed of a light material1 preferably white pine1 which shall be #ab or #ah inches long4 ,grasp this spatula in the left hand and1 with a light pine stick of equal length in the right hand1 pass through the house1 tapping each open flower lightly with the wand1 at the same time holding the watch glass under the flowers to catch the pollen4 ,before removing the watch glass from this position lift it sufficiently to cause the stigma of the flower to dip into the pollen contained in the glass4 ,by carefully going through the house from day to day during the blooming period nearly #ij per cent of the blossoms which develop can be caused to set4 ,during dark1 cloudy1 stormy weather1 however1 a smaller percentage of plants will be fertilized than during bright1 comparatively dry weather4 ,the conditions in the greenhouse can not be modified so as to entirely overcome the adverse conditions existing on the outside1 although with care much can be done in this direction4 ,manuring4--,it is desirable to keep plants of the tomato which are designed for forcing growing at a moderately rapid rate throughout the whole forcing period4 ,growth should be strong and robust at all times1 yet slow enough to produce close-jointed plants which bear their fruit clusters at near intervals4 ,there is considerable difference in varieties of tomatoes in this respect1 and those which naturally bear their fruit clusters close together should be selected for forcing purposes4 ,the manuring of the plants should1 therefore1 take a form which will be conducive to this strong1 vigorous growth1 yet not sufficiently heavy to produce plants which run to wood at the expense of fruit bearing4 ,ventilating and ,watering4--,if careful attention is given to keeping the plants in a healthy condition by never allowing them to suffer from overwatering or from becoming too dry1 and if sufficient ventilation is given without allowing draughts of cold air upon the plants1 much can be done to prevent the development of mildew4 ,if the plants are to be sprayed it should be done once a week or once in ten days1 and then only in the mornings of bright days4 ,ordinarily1 however1 the atmosphere of the house should be kept dry rather than moist1 as a very moist atmosphere is liable to produce a soft1 succulent growth1 which brings on a disease known to gardeners as oedema4 ,this1 however1 can be prevented by care in keeping the house rather dry4 ,the temperature of the house1 too1 should not be allowed to fluctuate through too wide a range4 ,the night temperature for tomatoes should range between #fe and #fh ,f41 while the day temperature should run from #gj to #hj ,f4 ,varieties for ,forcing4--,the comparatively limited use of tomatoes for forcing purposes in this country has not resulted in the development of many sorts especially suited for this purpose4 ,the ,lorillard is the one ,american sort which is now almost exclusively confined to this use1 and it is perhaps more generally cultivated in forcing houses than any other single variety4 ,the ,tomato as a ,field ,crop for ,canneries4--,owing to the fact that in canned tomatoes it is difficult for the average consumer to note any deficiencies in the appearance of the original fruit1 many labor under the delusion that any variety will answer for this purpose4 ,this is a mistaken idea1 as quality in canned goods is now an important factor1 and it is quite as necessary that a good quality of product should be used for canning as for growing for the early or general market1 although from the field side it is natural that tonnage should be a primary consideration4 ,in the matter of varieties1 as in the case of early tomatoes1 too much dependence should not be placed upon the name or upon the fact that a neighboring farmer secures good results from a given variety4 ,there are so many variations in the character of soils1 even in the same locality1 which exert an influence upon the size and quality of crop that the best variety is usually one that is1 in part at least1 developed by the individual grower4 ,the main point is to select varieties that produce large1 smooth1 solid fruits1 which do not remain green or crack on the shaded side near the stem4 ,those which possess size as their chief characteristic are frequently of poor quality1 as they are likely to possess large seed cavities and to ripen unevenly4 ,the conditions in some sections are such as to prevent the canners from making as much distinction between good and poor varieties as they would like4 ,canneries are in a measure obliged to receive all that come1 unless they can control absolutely the land upon which the crop is grown4 ,the variation in the quality of the crops of different farmers will make a difference of from #be to #dj cans on a ton of fruit1 or from #f to #aj per cent--a very considerable item4 ,in good seasons and with good fruit #djj cans may be regarded as the maximum number to be derived from a ton1 though late in the season1 and with poor varieties1 as already stated1 the pack from a ton is very much less4 ,the interests of the grower and the canner are really identical in this regard4 ,an improvement in the quality of the fruit will result in an improvement of the canned product and a consequent increase in the price of both the raw and manufactured products4 ,less expense is involved in growing suitable plants for cannery purposes than for other crops4 ,this is due to the fact that earliness is not so important a factor as it is in the market garden crop4 ,fertilizing and ,cultivating the ,soil4--,in manuring and fertilizing1 the character of the crop and the season of its growth should be remembered4 ,hence1 recommendations that were made for an early crop do not apply in all cases except perhaps on the poorer classes of soils4 ,in the first place1 the plants are not put in the soil until summer1 when the conditions are most favorable for the rapid change of organic forms of nitrogen into nitrates1 and thus1 if the soil has been manured or is naturally rich in vegetable matter1 the additional application of nitrogen in immediately available forms is not so important4 ,in the second place1 the object of the growth is not early maturity1 but the largest yield of mature fruit4 ,setting and ,cultivating the ,plants4--,the plants should be set from #d to #d-a_/b feet apart each way and cultivation should begin immediately4 ,the first cultivation should be deep1 in order to conserve the moisture1 and each subsequent cultivation shallower1 in order not to destroy the roots1 which will fill the soil as soon as the plants reach maturity4 ,the crop in good seasons should begin to ripen in ,august1 and picking will continue from that time until the last of ,september4 ,cost1 ,yield1 and ,value of ,crop4--,the cost of production per acre is much less for fruit for canning than in the case of early tomatoes1 the chief difference being in the production of the plants4 ,the several items may be classified as follows3 ,cost of growing an acre of tomatoes for canning3 ,plants #b4jj ,manures and fertilizers #h4jj ,preparation of land1 setting plants and cultivation #h4jj ,picking and carting #aj4jj ,total #bh4jj ,the yield1 as in the case of the early tomatoes1 varies widely1 ranging from #e to as high as #bj tons per acre1 even #cj tons per acre having been reported in exceptional cases1 although the average for a series of years on average land will probably be under #h tons4 ,where all conditions are carefully observed1 #bj-ton yields are frequently obtained1 and at the prices received at the cannery1 ranging from #e to #g4ej per ton1 according to the locality1 the crop is a fairly good one and the net profits are quite as large as for other field crops4 ,,turnips4 ,a great variety of turnips is grown throughout temperate climates1 some of which being coarse in texture are used as food for farm animals while other varieties are raised as table vegetables4 ,there is considerable variation in the color1 flavor1 and composition of the turnip1 the yellow-fleshed sorts as a group being commonly distinguished from the white by the name ,swedes or ruta-bagas4 ,in the summer the early white varieties are usually preferred in spite of the fact that they are more watery1 while in winter the yellow turnips are more commonly used4 ,the turnip requires a rich soil1 and may be grown either as an early or a late crop4 ,for an early crop1 sow the seeds in drills #ab to #ah inches apart as early in the spring as the condition of the soil will permit4 ,two pounds of seed are required to plant an acre4 ,after the plants appear1 thin to about #c inches4 ,the roots will be ready for use before hot weather4 ,for late turnips the seeds are usually sown broadcast on land from which some early crop has been removed1 generally during ,july or ,august1 but later in the ,south4 ,turnips are quite hardy1 and the roots need not be gathered until after several frosts4 ,turnips may be stored in a cellar or buried in a pit outside4 ,before storing1 the tops should be removed4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee1 #bie2 ,u4 ,id4 ,e4 ,s4 #aj2 ,mich4 ,e4 ,s4 #bj47 ,,vegetable ,,marrow4 ,the so-called vegetable marrows are a valuable product and closely allied to the pumpkin1 both as to species and habit of growth1 the principal difference being that the vegetable marrows are used while quite young and tender1 and may be baked and served very much the same as sweet potatoes4 ,the vegetable marrows should receive thorough cultivation in order that a tender product may be secured1 and should be gathered while the outside skin is still so tender that it may easily be broken by the finger nail4 ,the flesh is either boiled and mashed or baked in the oven and served with butter while hot4--7,f4 ,b4 #bee2 ,oreg4 ,e4 ,s4 ,b4 #gd47 ,quantity of ,seeds or ,number of ,plants ,required for a ,row #ajj ,feet in ,length1 with ,distances to ,plant1 ,times for ,planting1 and ,period ,required for ,production of ,crop4 ,brackets indicate that a late or second crop may be planted the same season4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ,distance for plants to stand---- ,time of planting in open ground4 ,seeds or ---------------------------------------- - ,depth ---------------------------------------- ------ ,ready for use plants ,rows apart4 of after planting4 ,kind of vegetable4 required -------------------------- ,plants planting4 ,south ,north for #ajj feet ,horse ,hand apart of row4 cultivation4 cultivation4 in rows4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------- ,artichoke1 ,globe #a_/b ounce #c to #d ft4 #b to #c ft4 #b to #c ft4 #a to #b in4 ,spring ,early spring #ae months4 ,artichoke1 ,jerusalem #b qts4 tubers #c to #d ft4 #a to #b ft4 #a to #b ft4 #b to #c in4 ,spring ,early spring #f to #h months4 ,asparagus1 seed #a ounce #cj to #cf in4 #a to #b ft4 #c to #e in4 #a to #b in4 ,autumn or early spring ,early spring #c to #d years4 ,asparagus1 plants #fj to #hj plants #c to #e ft4 #ab to #bd in4 #ae to #bj in4 #c to #e in4 ,autumn or early spring ,early spring #a to #c years4 ,beans1 bush #a pint #cj to #cf in4 #ah to #bd in4 #e or #h to ft4 #a_/b to #b in4 ,february to ,april4 ,august to ,september4 ,april to ,july #dj to #fe days4 ,beans1 pole #a_/b pint #c to #d ft4 #c to #d ft4 #c to #d ft4 #a to #b in4 ,late spring ,may and ,june #ej to #hj days4 ,beets #b ounces #bd to #cf in4 #ab to #ah in4 #e or #f to ft4 #a to #b in4 ,february to ,april4 ,august to ,september4 ,april to ,august #fj to #hj days4 ,brussels sprouts #a_/d ounce #cj to #cf in4 #bd to #cj in4 #af to #bd in4 #a_/b in4 ,january to ,july ,may and ,june #ij to #abj days4 ,cabbage1 early #a_/d ounce #cj to #cf in4 #bd to #cj in4 #ab to #ah in4 #a_/b in4 ,october to ,december ,march and ,april4 7,start in hotbed during ,february7 #ij to #acj days4 ,cabbage1 late #a_/d ounce #cj to #dj in4 #bd to #cf in4 #af to #bd in4 #a_/b in4 ,june and ,july ,may and ,june #ij to #abj days4 ,cardoon #a_/b ounce #c ft4 #b ft4 #ab to #ah in4 #a to #b in4 ,early spring ,april and ,may #e to #f months4 ,carrot #a ounce #cj to #cf in4 #ah to #bd in4 #f or #g to ft4 #a_/b in4 ,march and ,april4 ,september ,april to ,june #ge to #aaj days4 ,cauliflower #a_/d ounce #cj to #cf in4 #bd to #cj in4 #ad to #ah in4 #a_/b in4 ,january and ,february4 ,april to ,june4 ,june 7,start in hotbed during ,february or ,march7 #ajj to #acj days4 ,celeriac #a_/d ounce #cj to #cf in4 #ah to #bd in4 #d or #e to ft4 #a_/b in4 ,late spring ,may and ,june4 7,start in cold frame during ,april7 #ajj to #aej days4 ,celery #a_/d ounce #c to #f ft4 #ah to #cf in4 #d to #h in4 #a_/b in4 ,august to ,october ,may and ,june4 7,start in hotbed or cold frame during ,march or ,april7 #abj to #aej days4 ,chervil #a ounce #cj to #cf in4 #ah to #bd in4 #c or #d to ft4 #a in4 ,autumn ,autumn #a year4 ,chicory #a_/d ounce #cj to #cf in4 #ah to #bd in4 #d or #e to ft4 #a_/b in4 ,march and ,april ,may and ,june #e to #f months4 ,citron #a ounce #h to #aj ft4 #h to #aj ft4 #h to #aj ft4 #a to #b in4 ,march and ,april ,may and ,june #ajj to #acj days4 ,collards #a_/d ounce #cj to #cf in4 #bd to #cj in4 #ad to #ah in4 #a_/b in4 ,may and ,june ,late spring #ajj to #abj days4 ,corn salad #b ounces #cj in4 #ab to #ah in4 #e or #f to ft4 #a_/b to #a in4 ,january and ,february4 ,september and ,october ,march to ,september #fj days4 ,corn1 sweet #a_/d pint #cf to #db in4 #cj to #cf in4 #cj to #cf in4 #a to #b in4 ,february to ,april ,may to ,july #fj to #ajj days4 ,cress1 upland #a_/b ounce #cj in4 #ab to #ah in4 #d or #e to ft4 #a_/b to #a in4 ,january and ,february4 ,march to ,may 7,autumn7 ,september #cj to #dj days4 ,cress1 water #a_/b ounce ,broadcast ,on surface ,early spring ,april to ,september #fj to #gj days4 ,cucumber #a_/b ounce #d to #f ft4 #d to #f ft4 #d to #f ft4 #a to #b in4 ,february and ,march4 ,september ,april to ,july #fj to #hj days4 ,dandelion #a_/d ounce #cj in4 #ah to #bd in4 #h to #ab in4 #a_/b in4 ,early spring or autumns ,early spring #f to #ab months4 ,eggplant #a_/d ounce #cj to #cf in4 #bd to #cj in4 #ah to #bd in4 #a_/b to #a in4 ,february to ,april ,april and ,may4 7,start in hotbed during #ajj to #adj days4 ,march7 ,endive #a ounce #cj in4 #ah in4 #h to #ab in4 #a_/b to #a in4 ,february to ,april ,april ,july #ij to #ahj days4 ,horse-radish #gj roots #cj to #dj in4 #bd to #cj in4 #ad to #bj in4 #c to #d in4 ,early spring ,early spring #a to #b years ,kale or borecole #a_/d ounce #cj to #cf in4 #ah to #bd in4 #ah to #bd in4 #a_/b in4 ,october to ,february ,august and ,september4 ,march and ,april #ij to #abj days4 ,kohl-rabi #a_/d ounce #cj to #cf in4 #ah to #bd in4 #d to #h in4 #a_/b in4 ,september to ,march ,march to ,may #fj to #hj days4 ,leek #a_/b ounce #cj to #cf in4 #ad to #bj in4 #d to #h in #a in4 ,may to ,september ,march to ,may #fj to #hj days4 ,lettuce #a_/b ounce #cj in #ab to #ah in4 #d to #f in #a_/b in4 ,september to ,march ,march to ,september #abj to #ahj days4 ,melon1 muskmelon #a_/b ounce #f to #h ft4 #f to #h ft4 ,hills #f ft4 #a to #b in4 ,february to ,april ,april to ,june 7,start early plants in hotbed during ,march7 #abj to #aej days4 ,melon1 watermelon #a ounce #h to #ab ft4 #h to #ab ft4 ,hills #aj ft4 #a to #b in4 ,march to ,may ,may and ,june #ajj to #abj days4 ,mustard #a_/d ounce #cj to #cf in4 #ab to #ah in4 #d or #e to ft4 #a_/d in4 ,autumn or early spring ,march to ,may4 #fj to #ij days4 ,september ,new ,zealand spinach #a ounce #cf in4 #bd to #cf in4 #ab to #ah in4 #a to #b in4 ,early ,spring ,early spring #fj to #ajj days4 ,okra1 or gumbo #b ounces #d to #e ft4 #c to #d ft4 #bd to #cj in4 #a to #b in4 ,february to ,april ,may and ,june #hj to #adj days4 ,onion1 seed #a ounce #bd to #cf in4 #ab to #ah in4 #d or #e to ft4 #a_/b to #a in4 ,october to ,march ,april and ,may #acj to #aej days4 ,onion1 sets #a qt4 of sets4 #bd to #cf in4 #ab to #ah in4 #d or #e to ft4 #a to #b in4 ,early spring ,autumn and ,february to ,may #ij to #abj days4 ,parsley #a_/d ounce #bd to #cf in4 #ab to #ah in4 #c to #f in4 #a_/h in4 ,september to ,may ,september and early #ij to #abj days4 spring ,parsnip #a_/b ounce #cj to #cf in4 #ah to #bd in4 #e or #f to ft4 #a_/b to #a in4 ,april and ,may #abe to #afj days4 ,peas #a to #b pints4 #c to #d ft4 #cj to #cf in4 #ae to ft4 #b to #c in4 ,september to ,april ,march to ,june #dj to #hj days4 ,pepper #a_/b ounce #cj to #cf in4 #ah to #bd in4 #ae to #ah in4 #a_/b in4 ,early spring ,may and ,june 7,start early plants in hotbed during ,march7 #ajj to #adj days4 ,physalis #a_/b ounce #cj to #cf in4 #ah to #bd in4 #ah to #bd in4 #a_/b in4 ,march to ,may ,may and ,june #acj to #afj days4 ,potato1 ,irish #e lbs4 7or #i bu4 per acre7 #cj to #cf in4 #bd to #cf in4 #ad to #ah in4 #d in4 ,january to ,april ,march to ,june #hj to #adj days4 ,potato1 sweet #c lbs4 7or #ge slips7 #c to #e ft4 #c to #e ft4 #ad in4 #c in4 ,april and ,may ,may and ,june 7,start plants in hotbed during ,april7 #adj to #afj days4 ,pumpkin #a_/b ounce #h to #ab ft4 #h to #ab ft4 ,hills #h to #ab #a to #b in4 ,april and ,may ,may to ,july #ajj to #adj days4 ft4 spring ,radish #a ounce #bd to #cf in4 #ab to #ah in4 #h to #ab to ft #a_/b to #a in4 ,september to ,april ,march to ,september #bj to #dj days4 ,rhubarb1 seed #a_/b ounce #cf in4 #cj to #cf in4 #f to #h in4 #a_/b to #a in4 ,early ,spring #b to #d years4 ,rhubarb1 plants #cc plants #c to #e ft4 #c to #e ft4 #c ft4 #b to #c in4 ,autumn or early #a to #c years4 spring ,ruta-baga #a_/d ounce #cj to #cf in4 #ah to #bd in4 #f to #h in4 #a_/b to #a in4 ,august and ,september ,may and ,june #fj to #hj days4 ,salsify #a ounce #cj to #cf in4 #ah to #bd in4 #b to #d in4 #a_/b to #a in4 ,early spring #abj to #ahj days4 ,spinach #a ounce #cj to #cf in4 #ab to #ah in4 #g or #h to ft4 #a to #b in4 ,september to ,february ,september or very early spring #cj to #fj days4 ,squash1 bush #a_/b ounce #c to #d ft4 #c to #d ft4 ,hills #c to #d #a to #b in4 ,spring ,april to ,june #fj to #hj days4 ft4 ,squash1 late #a_/b ounce #g to #aj ft4 #g to #aj ft4 ,hills #g to #i #a to #b in4 ,spring ,april to ,june #abj to #ahj days4 ft4 ,tomato #a_/b ounce #c to #e ft4 #c to #d ft4 #c ft4 #a_/b to #a in4 ,december to ,march ,may and ,june 7,start early plants in hotbed during #ajj to #adj days4 ,february and ,march7 ,turnip #a_/b ounce #bd to #cf in #ah to #bd in #f or #g to ft #a_/d to #a_/b;in ,august to ,october ,april4 ,july #fj to #hj days4 ,vegetable marrow #a_/b ounce #h to #ab ft4 #h to #ab ft4 ,hills #h to #a to #b in4 ,spring ,april to ,june #aaj to #adj days4 #i ft4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------- ,average ,composition of ,succulent ,roots4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ----- ,edible portion ---------------------------------------- ---------- ,carbohydrates -------------- ,kind of ,vegetable ,refuse ,sugar1 ,crude ,fuel ,water ,protein ,fat starch1fiber ,ash value etc4 per pound ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ,per ct4,per ct4,per ct4,per ct4,per ct4,per ct4,per ct,calories ,beets1 fresh #g4j #hg4e #a4f #j4a #h4h #j4i #a4a #bae ,beets1 cooked 4444 #hh4f #b4c 4#a #g4d 4444 #a4f #ahe ,celeriac #bj4j #hd4a #a4e 4#d #aa4h #a4d 4#h #bhe ,carrots1 fresh #bj4j #hh4b #a4a 4#d #h4b #a4a #a4j #baj ,carrots1 desiccated 4444 #c4e #g4g 4#f #hj4c 4444 #d4i #a1gij ,parsnips #bj4j #hc4j #a4f 4#e #aa4j #b4e #a4d #cjj ,salsify ,oyster plant #be4j #he4d #d4c 4#c #f4h #b4j #a4b #bej ,black salsify #bj4j #hj4d #a4j 4#e #ag4a #b4c #a4j #cij ,radishes 4444 #ia4h #a4c 4#a #e4a 4#g 4#a #ace ,turnips1 white #aj4j #hi4f #a4c 4#b #f4h #a4c 4#h #afj ,turnips1 yellow #aj4j #hh4i #a4c 4#b #g4c #a4b #a4a #ahe 7ruta-bagas7 ,kohl-rabi #bj4j #ia4a #b4j 4#a #d4b #a4c #a4c #ade ,onions #cj4j #hg4f #a4f 4#c #i4a 4#h 4#f #bbe ,garlic 4444 #fd4g #f4h 4#a #bg4i 4#h #a4e #fej ,potatoes #bj4j #gh4c #b4b 4#a #ah4j 4#d #a4j #cge ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- 7,authorities consulted in the ,chapter on ,vegetable ,garden4--,colo4 ,ag4 ,col4 ,e4 ,s42 ,u4 ,ill4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s42 ,u4 ,idaho ,a4 ,e42 ,purdue ,u4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s42 ,n4 ,h4 ,col4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s42 ,mich4 ,st4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s42 ,mass4 ,ag4 ,col4 ,e4 ,s42 ,ohio ,ag4 ,e4 ,s42 ,s4 ,c4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s42 ,okla4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s42 ,texas ,a4 ,e4 ,s42 ,va4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s42 ,w4 ,va4 ,u4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s42 ,cornell ,u4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s42 ,r4 ,i4 ,col4 of ,ag4 and ,mech4 ,arts ,e4 ,s42 ,n4 ,c4 ,col4 of ,ag4 and ,mech4 ,arts2 ,n4 ,y4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s42 ,u4 ,tenn4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s42 ,pa4 ,st4 ,col4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s42 ,mich4 ,st4 ,ag4 ,col4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s42 ,s4 ,dak4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s42 ,u4 ,wyo4 ,e4 ,s42 ,b4 ,p4 ,i42 ,kans4 ,st4 ,ag4 ,col4 ,e4 ,s42 ,n4 ,j4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s42 ,tuskegee ,normal ,industrial ,inst4 ,e4 ,s42 ,s4 ,s4 ,e4 ,s4 ,clemson ,ag4 ,col42 ,n4 ,mex4 ,col4 of ,ag4 and ,mech4 ,arts ,e4 ,s42 ,fla4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s42 ,iowa ,ag4 ,col4 ,e4 ,s42 ,u4 ,minn4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s42 ,u4 ,nevada ,a4 ,e4 ,s42 ,n4 ,dak4 ,e4 ,s42 ,oreg4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s42 ,del4 ,col4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s42 ,ark4 ,ag4 ,col4 ,e4 ,s42 ,u4 ,nebr4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s42 ,ga4 ,e4 ,s42 ,md4 ,a4 ,e4 ,s42 ,miss4 ,ag4 ,e4 ,s4 ,the entire article on ,vegetable ,garden was taken bodily from the best portions of the above bulletins1 etc47 ,,the ,,country ,,life ,,press ,,garden ,,city1 ,n4 ,y4 ,transcriber's ,note3 ,for reasons of clarity the illustration labels and tables have been moved to the end of the relative paragraph4 ,the oe ligature has been expanded4 ,the following changes have been made3 ,page #e ,the word 'in' was repeated and deleted4 ,page #bf havings is now having4 ,page #ed to is now too4 ,page #fd tumber is now number ,page #fh maturty is now maturity4 ,page #gj conditons is now conditions4 ,page #ge flshy is now fleshy4 ,page #gh bettles is now beetles4 ,page #hh ,the word 'as' was repeated and deleted4 ,page #aja cutlivated is now cultivated4 ,page #aaf necessisity is now necessity4 ,page #ha toughtened is now toughened4