AGRICULTURE ON THE TRUCKEE-CARSON PROJECT. 23 



for covering and protecting them. They transplant with difficulty, 

 and it is therefore usual to plant the seed in the hills where they are 

 to grow. This crop is easily grown and does well on most soils of the 

 Truckee-Carson Project. The heaviest yielding and most satisfac- 

 tory varieties tried so far at the experiment farm are the Early Frame, 

 Long Green, Early Russian, and White Spine. The Gherkin is a 

 small, productive, prickly variety, useful only for pickling purposes. 



Kohl-rabi. — This vegetable has been on trial at the experiment farm 

 for three years and has always given good results. The flavor of 

 kohl-rabi is between that of a turnip and a eabbagc. It is necessary 

 to use this vegetable while it is growing and tender, as when it is fully 

 matured it is likely to be tough and stringy. The culture is the same 

 as for turnips. Unharvested plants need not be destroyed in the 

 summer when they have become too tough for use, for if they are left 

 in the ground until fall a second growth takes place, new bulbs grow- 

 ing out of the old ones. This growth is as sweet and tender as the 

 spring growth. 



Melons. — Watermelons are easily grown and are very productive 

 in most of the soils of the project. As the growing season is short, 

 only the earliest maturing varieties should be planted. Those which 

 have given best satisfaction at the experiment farm are the Kleck- 

 ley Sweet, Kentucky Wonder, Chilean, and Rocky Ford. 



Muskmelons, like watermelons, are easily grown, especially on the 

 lighter soils of the project. Winter varieties, such as the Khiva, 

 Winter Pineapple, and Kriss Kringle, may be successfully grown. 

 These varieties, when stored in a cool place, will keep well into the 

 winter, so the farmer may have muskmelons on his table for Christ- 

 mas and New Year's Day. Desirable early-maturing summer varie- 

 ties are the Rocky Ford, Fordhook, and Extra-Early Hackensack. 

 Both watermelons and muskmelons may be planted in the field 

 before the danger of frost is past if boxes, guimy sacks, straw, or 

 some other suitable means of protection are thrown over them on cold 

 nights. 



Onions. — On some of the better soils of the Truckee-Carson Project 

 onions are grown commercially and a yield of 10 to 20 or more tons 

 per acre obtained. It would not be advisable to attempt to grow 

 them commercially on new land. Local onion growers have found it 

 advisable to plant the seed very early in the spring, before April 1, 

 so as to allow the plants to become well established before the dry, 

 hot weather begins. Good varieties to plant for the home garden are 

 the Yellow Globe Danvers, Red Wethersfield, and Prize Taker. 



Peanuts. — Peanuts have been grown for several years, but satis- 

 factory yields have not been obtained. The small Spanish peanuts 

 matured earlier and yielded better than the Mammoth Virginia pea- 

 nuts. Peanuts can not be recommended for general planting. 



[Cir. 110] 



