GARDEN HINTS 271 



Asparagus is also an important crop whicli should receive more 

 atention and should find a place in every home garden. Asparagus 

 may be produced by seeds or roots, and should be planted about 

 this time. The roots should be planted two or three feet apart. 

 If seeds are used they may be planted closer together, and the plants 

 transplanted at the end of the first year. 



Lettuce, one of our most important salad plants, should be started, 

 in the hot bed early and then transplanted. By transplanting you 

 secure a much better grade of lettuce and also much better quality. 

 The seedling should be transplanted about one and one-half to two 

 inches apart, and after they have grown this way for about two or three 

 V\-eeks they should be transplanted to permanent location. It requires 

 two to three weeks longer by this method but the plants are much 

 better. We have two "types, the solid head lettuce and loose head 

 lettuce. The solid head as a rule requires somewhat longer time to 

 mature. The head resemble a small head of cabbage. They should 

 be planted about one foot apart and the rows about eighteen inches 

 apart. The Early Wayahead or the Big Boston are two very good 

 varieties. The loose head types come to maturity slightly earlier 

 and can be planted closer together, possibly eight to ten inches apart 

 in the rows and the rows fifteen to eighteen inches apart. Lettuce 

 should be grown in the early spring, because as the season advances and 

 the warmer weather approaches the lettuce takes on a bitter taste and 

 also becomes tough. 



Early plowing is essential to successful gardening. This con- 

 serves the moisture and holds the water for the future use of the 

 plants. Frequent cultivation is the key note to success, and should 

 be practiced with all vegetables. — April "Horticulture." 



VEGETABLE NOTES. 



Geo. W. Hood. 

 It is usually safe to plant some of the earlier varieties of corn 

 at this time. While there is still danger of frost, early planting when 

 it does escape frost is quite profitable. If the corn is killed by frost 

 it is a simple matter to replant, and the cost of the seed is trifiing 

 compared to the value of the product. The main crop, however, 

 should not be planted until about the 10th to the 15th of the month 

 to be sure of safety. 



Muskmelons, watermelons or cucumbers that have started in 

 a greenhouse on in the hot bed should be transplanted to the field 

 about" the 10th or 15th of this month. They should be well hardened 

 on before going to the field as this insures a better stand and reduces 



