220 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



the location and condition of the land, on the quality of the seed and 

 the cultivation and care given the crop. 



The land, if possible, should have a southern exposure and be 

 protected from the sweep of the north and west winds, while a supply 

 of water for irrigating; purposes is desirable. The soil should be open 

 and friable and contain a considerable quantity of sand. If it is too 

 compact this can be remedied by the application of from ten to forty 

 cords of coarse manure per acre, which will also provide food for the 

 sustenance of the crop. This should be spread in the fall, if possible, 

 and the land plowed in order that it may be acted upon by frost. 



In the spring it should be cross plowed and worked with harrow 

 and drag, until it has been brought to a fine tilth. At the proper time 

 sow the seed so as to secure a succession, and, if possible, arrange the 

 rows that they may be cultivated by horse power. During the season 

 of growth stir the soil frequently, especially after a rain. If the vege- 

 tables are to be sold great pains should be taken in their preparation 

 for market, as the result of the sale depends as much on the taste and 

 neatness with which they are put up as it does on the quality of the 

 vegetables themselves. 



The selection of the seed used should be carefully attended to. 

 " Poor seed is dear at any price," and the best results cannot be hoped 

 for unless a proper selection of varieties is made. 



Out of over two hundred varieties grown the past year the follow- 

 ing are of especial merit : 



Beans, Bush—l^ed Valentine, Golden Wa^ and Dwarf Horticul- 

 tural. PoZe— Southern Prolific and Dreer's Improved Lima. 



Beet— As an early variety the Egyptian has at last found a rival 

 in the Eclipse, which has quality, high color, productiveness and per- 

 fection of form to place it among the best. Early Blood Turnip and 

 Dewing's Improved are valuable either for early or late planting. 



Cabbage — To secure a succession, no better selection can be made 

 than Early Jersey Wakefield and Henderson's Early Summer for early, 

 and Fotler's Brunswick and Late Flat Dutch, as late varieties. The 

 Cauliflower requires higher culture than the cabbage. The Early Er- 

 furt is the surest header, but the Early Snowball presents the best ap- 

 pearance, if well grown. 



The cabbage worm is the great drawback to the growing of cab- 

 bages, but a simple remedy by which they can be checked in their 

 ravages, is found in dusting the plants while the dew is on, with^dry 

 earth or ashes. 



Celery — The Boston market still holds its own as one of the best 

 market varieties; the Dwarf White also is a valvable variety. The 



