140 AGKICULTURE OF MAINE. 



STARTING PLANTS. 



As already mentioned earline?s is of ])rinie importance and 

 in many cases this can be secured by starting plants in hotbeds 

 and cold frames. Such plants as cabbage, cauliflower, egg- 

 plant, peppers and tomatoes should always be started in this 

 way. By this method the gardener can have large plants ready 

 to transplant out-of-doors by the time it would be safe to 

 plant the seed outside. In many cases the seeds are sown in 

 hotbeds and the plants transplanted to cold frames or other 

 hotbeds. This is a very good method to follow because stocky, 

 well-rooted plants can be secured in this way, and then hard- 

 ened off for outdoor planting wdiere cold frames are used. 

 Some growers start beets, onions, cucumbers, and melons in 

 hotbeds. The two last named are usually planted in plant bands 

 and set into the open ground without the soil around the 

 plants being disturbed, ^vhen all danger of frost is past. 



Time for planting garden seeds. In a general way vegeta- 

 bles can be grouped into about three classes in regard to time 

 of planting. Such plants as onions, peas, potatoes, and cabbage 

 can be planted as soon as the soil can be gotten in good condi- 

 tion. Beets, radishes, lettuce, turnips, kale, spinach, and parsnips 

 may be planted as soon as danger of hard frosts is over. Such 

 crops .as tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, cucumbers, melons and 

 beans, should not be planted until all danger of frost is over 

 and the soil is warm. Since earliness is of prime importance iS 

 will pay to take a little risk by planting early. Should frost 

 kill first planting, a second one could be made. 



CROPS TO BE GROWN. 



The market gardener should grow a large number of crops 

 so as to supply his customers with vegetables of some kind 

 through the season. Of course, the standard crops would take 

 up most of the space, because these crops are eaten by more 

 people and with more regularity. Among the standard crops 

 are potatoes, cabbage, cucumbers, corn, beans, peas, and toma- 

 toes. Other crops that should be grown on a small scale are 

 asparagus, cauliflower, lettuce, spinach, kale, mustard, turnips, 

 beets, parsnips, carrots, salsify, melons, squash and parsley. 



