G 



furrow. The fertilizer should be strewn along in the 

 furrow at the rate of 1,000 to 1,500 pounds per acre. 

 Mix thoroughly with the soil by running the shovel 

 plow in the furrow one or more times. One time will 

 be sufficient if the soil is very loose. List on the fur- 

 rows in which the fertilizer is distributed, throwing up 

 a small ridge. Flatten the top of this ridge with a 

 hand rake or drag a heavy piece of timber over the 

 rows, leveling several at a time. General preparation 

 of the land should be in the fall or at least several 

 weeks before planting. If the land is prepared early, 

 delay by the heavy winter rains when ready to plant 

 may be prevented. 



Planting. 



The time to plant will vary greatly for the different 

 sections of the state. Plants will be ready to set in 5 to 

 7 weeks from the time the seed is sown. They should 

 be set on the south side of the ridge or bed thrown up 

 by the shovel plow, in preference to planting on top, 

 as this gives protection from cold northwest winds. 

 Set plants from 15 to 24 inches apart in the row, ac- 

 cording to the variety. The small pointed-head va- 

 rieties will permit much closer planting than the largr 

 flat-head types. If the field be level, it is preferable 

 to check the rows, so as to allow horse cultivation 

 both ways. The check rows are 24 to 30 inches apart. 



With proper precautions, the ])lants may be trans- 

 planted to the field with very small loss. Plants should 

 not be transplanted on windy days, as the excessive 

 evaporation will result in a heavy loss of plants. A 

 still, cloudy day is best, or late in the afternoon. Trans- 

 planting should not be done unless there is plenty of 

 moisture in the soil; otherwise moisture should be 

 supplied artificially. Transplanting is best accom- 

 plished by one person dropping the plants, and anotli- 

 er with a dibble setting them out as they are dropped. 

 The plant bed should be thoroughly watered before 

 taking up the plants. If they are to be carried some 

 distance the roots should be dipped in a clay puddle, 

 which will prevent them drying out. A piece of wet 

 sheeting spread over the plants in the basket or tray, 

 will aid in keeping thein in a fresh condition. A few 

 plants are taken at a tune and set as they are dropped, 

 in order that thev may be protected as much as possi- 

 ble. 



